Chapter 16

Royal Palace, Deedolit's chambers.

As night enveloped Ferelden, the Royal Palace was quietly busying itself with the now new motions of settling down for the night. Tenkou had just spoken with her twin as Leliana and Wynne came into the shared apartment. They bathed and changed the young woman, not trusting the other staff in the castle to do so themselves.

Tenkou sat reading in her home tongue and translated for the humans in the room. Okhor was banished, for the time being, sent to find something else to occupy him.

As the two ladies who had been with Deedolett during their quest to end the Blight, saw the girl as more sister-like, for the Bard and daughter, to the elder mage. Slipping out of the gown she wore the night before over her head, they noticed a discoloration on her back, lighter than her natural skin complexion. Wynne pulled the candle from the table next to the bed for closer inspection.

Tenkou turned her eye to her younger sister's back, running gentle fingers over the markings that covered half of her spine.

"They look like…." The young druid gently lifted what seemed to be a scale, tugging at it slightly.

Leliana could feel her friend breathing with difficulty as Deedolett's chest rested on her arm. "Wynne, Tenkou, she is breathing hard. I should lay her back down."

"Yes, you are right. Here, hold her upright." Tenkou sat behind her younger, holding her up while Wynne placed the candle back on the table to slip a fresh bedgown over Deedolett's head, tucking her in for the evening.

After both mages giving a final sweep of the Warden–checking to see if there was any damage to cause her breathing to be affected, finding none she checked her pupils, and what she saw startled the elder mage, the color of her eyes looked drained then when she looked again the color had returned.

"My Lady, was there something you saw?" Tenkou inquired.

Wynne wasn't at all sure how she could describe it, "It looked like she had no color at all, then her eye color came back."

Tenkou nodded. "I do not wish to worry, mother any more than she already is, so we keep this between us for now."

They agreed. This also meant keeping it from the rest of their companions as well. A yawn escaped as they adjusted seating positions. Wynne still suffered unease.

The older lady neared the door. "Ladies, I need a snack. Would you care for something, my dears?"

"Not now, thank you. I will get it when I am ready. You need to rest. Good night." The bard smiled softly, reaching for a brush on the nightstand next to the bed, began brushing out the tangles. As she went to take another section of hair, she noticed the hair slowly becoming white at the roots.

Unsure of what to do, she panicked. "Um... Tenkou? Why is she changing like this?" The bard asked as she showed off the section of hair.

Tenkou came and sat on the bed as well. Taking the hair in her hands, Leliana held a candle close. The druid saw a sheen, but could not describe it. The hair trickled back to its original color. "I, I have seen nothing of the like." Leaving the bard with her sister, hurried to the second floor, she rummaged through her backpack, pulling from it what she was looking for.

Coming back, she sat in the chair she had previously occupied and flipped through the pages of a worn journal.

"Here. Mother once said that Letty was magical in her conception."

Leliana sat, flabbergasted. "Magical conception? What does that mean?"

Tenkou took a deep breath before she began the story her mother told her, or what the druid overheard.

"My mother said that, when she came back from Ferelden with us, your year of 9:10, she was with child. A man, of whom we met and knew, raped her. Mother said that he forced her to swallow a potion… when she woke, Okhor and Olett were next to her."

She flipped through the pages of the book, then closed it, gripping it in her lap. "When either of them is harmed by magic, the other will feel it. That is how we knew to come here."

Leliana nodded, going to brush her friends' hair once more. "I think I understand. Thou not completely."

Tenkou agreed, "They sped their birth, Mother did not have them naturally." She smiled a bit at her sister. "What do you think Okhor would be up to right now? Giving Alistair a hard time, possibly?"

Leliana chuckled, "It would seem that Okhor despises Alistair." laughing, "Olett, what do you think, hm? Your brother and brother in arms hate each other?"

The two women laughed at the thought.

Tenkou sobered with a sigh, a soft smile of reassurance, "There is nothing to fret over; she will be well."

Leliana had to agree wholeheartedly.

When Wynne took her leave, she headed to give Alistair news that there was nothing new in Olett's condition. The scale markings, however, did concern Wynne, and the shallow breathing. Nothing was amiss, but something was definitely wrong. The elf had been asleep for far too long; she feared. She needed to wake soon. As the senior Mage walked through the castle halls, she prayed once again to the Maker for a miracle.

Okhor had wandered the castle. Being sent away from his twin, he was in a pensive mood. Asking if there was a place to train. He sat inspecting and cleaning his weapons. He had gotten as far as checking the sharpness of his broadsword, Shieldstorm, and short sword, the Sword of the Morning, when his rival walked in.

Alistair had just finished receiving the news of Olett from Wynne. He needed to relieve some stress; he was sleeping little and his Kingdom duties were boggling his mind. The clean-up of the city was running smoothly, as it was late in the evening Eamon told his charge to rest, though rest would not come easy. He made his way to the training grounds.

"Ho, came to train?" Okhor wiped his blade. Idly cleaning it when he heard the disrespectful associate of his twin.

Alistair said nothing at first, the blade in the hands of Lady Deedolit's son. A nasty-looking blade. "I have. What of you, come to train as well?"

Okhor nodded in response, "My sister and her new friend have ejected me from the room."

Alistair snorted, saying nothing more, but watched with mild interest as the tall elf ran a sharpening stone over the edges of the long sword.

Okhor continued his work in the comfortable silence, still taking his Mother and sister's words into consideration. They had reprimanded him for his terse behavior. Granted, it was a jab at his sister's expense when they visited him. He was defending them as he should. Maybe they are right, but what was a Paladin if he did not stand up for injustice? Looking up from his blade, "You still yet owe an apology."

Alistair flinched inwardly. Rubbed the back of his neck, looked to the open sky above them. With a heavy sigh, he agreed.

Rendon Howe murdered the famed knight for his own greed. The man said as much as when he slaughtered all in Highever, save for Fergus Cousland. "Right…" He heard clear as day that Ser Kal'an was the eldest of Lady Swiftleaf. He was also very much Olett's brother. If he can get past who Ser Kal'an's father is, "Stop thinking as such."

"I am waiting." Okhor sheathed the long blade, picking up his short sword, looking her over as well.

He closed his eyes tight, gritted his teeth, "Right. I apologize. I did you and your family a great discourtesy. Allowing my anger to overshadow." He was sincere with his words. Imagining how Olett will feel when she is told. "Olett. does she know?" he muttered to himself.

Okhor looked up to Alistair as he stood near the middle of the training grounds. "Aye. She knows. She should know. Then again, she may have forgotten." Okhor grunted, "Thank you." he repeated softly.

Alistair snapped his head to face Okhor. "I did not say that loud enough to be heard."

"I heard you all the same."

Alistair looked to the open ceiling. Stars are covered by thick clouds. Grabbing a training sword from the weapons rack, swung the sword, warming up on one of the training dummies.

Watching the boy thrust and strike the straw and wooden dummy, joined him. Maybe he could get a suitable match or two while he is in this strange land. "You know, a real opponent makes a better target than straw and wood."

"Shall we then?"

The Coastlands, Outside of the Turnoble Estate.

"Mother, I can see a large city up ahead, surrounded by a gigantic wall. Looks like there have been many damages done as well." Lili had trotted ahead, surrounded by a faint light.

Ruroni pulled her horse close and with the Elven tongue mentioned there was someone following them. Deedo was not pleased about the idea of being followed, as it would prove to be a further distraction from their current venture.

"Cullen please take Vy'el." She handed the child over to Cullen and pulled her horse to a stop. Handing the reins over to Ruroni, she slid out of the saddle as the others walked on.

"What is she going to do?" Cullen asked as they walked on.

"Obviously, stop whoever is following us from doing so. But I would not worry, she can handle herself well, she became more determined when she came back home." Xellexes chuckled as he recalled a tale of how he and his cousin traveled around Norrath.

There was a howl coming from behind them as Cullen looked behind he saw a form of a pure white wolf in the middle of the road. A prize worthy of any hunter, the wolf slipped off into the woods at great speed.

The sound of fighting was rustling in the thick bushes, growling, snarling, and barking, then suddenly a black wolf emerged from the brush followed by Deedo. They ran into a field as the others watched skeptically from horseback. Cullen watched as the large white wolf leaped into the air and tackled the black creature.

Deedo pinned the wolf down with a paw pressing on the neck of the follower. Shifting forms once more with her hand squeezing the neck of the animal.

"Lili, come, speak with this animal please." She called over her shoulder.

The ranger did as told. Sliding from her saddle, handing both reigns to Ruroni the others to walk on ahead, trotting to Deedo, kneeling beside the tousled wolf, who was struggling to get away.

The girl reached her hand out, and the wolf snapped. Deedo gripped tighter "Do it again and I will wring your neck." Her voice was low and firm. Lili had a dagger in hand as she reached once more to stroke the animal's head.

"She is not a wolf, she is human." The ranger shrugged and rooted the animal in place. Deedo released her and stood.

"Change out of that form and into yours. I will only warn you once."

The wolf did as told and within a fraction of a second a young woman with dark hair, pale skin, and citrine eyes looked between the two strangers straining against the roots to stand and see her captors–no longer in the animal form, she could not make out their faces.

"Your name." Deedo stated.

"Morrigan, daughter of Flemeth, and you are looking for Deedolett. I can assist you."

"Why were you following us, and how do you know of Deedolett?" Deedo pulled her dagger from her hip and pointed it at the throat of the human woman.

"I know of her from our travels during the Blight, as well as the defeat of the Archdemon. As to my following you, I believe she may be in danger from the defeat of said demon." The woman said as she lay grounded to the earth.

"Will you kindly release me? I mean no harm. Deedolett had become my friend as she had taught me many things from my life outside of the wood."

Lili'Enyel looked to Deedo, who looked unphased. Then the High elf's features softened with a nod as she turned, walking towards the direction of the others.

"My mother has accepted you. You may stand and follow now." The Ranger extended a hand to the witch, hurried after the retreating form of her mother.

Once caught up to the others, Morrigan tripped on a large rock. She wondered how they were able to see their way in the moonless night.

"How can you see where you are going?" Morrigan asked as she stumbled once again.

"We are elves we can see in the dark." Ruroni spoke up.

Xellexes produced a necklace, handing it to the woman he rode next to, "Slip that on."

Morrigan felt the cool metal on her hand, slipping it around her neck as if the moon was out. She scanned the group of travelers and saw a familiar face.

"You are the Templar from the tower, what brings you so far from home?" She asked with childlike curiosity.

"Yes, I remember you. You were with Deedolett that day." Cullen looked behind him, and Vy'el groaned. Cullen shifted the child and rejected the offer for Deedo to take him. "I came to guide them to Denerim and to make peace with Miss Sura–I mean Swiftleaf."

Morrigan sneered slightly, "Came to your senses 'twould seem. Far better than the other idiot Templar she had with her."

Deedo and the others raised their eyebrows. Deedo then spoke up, "Just how do you know of her, and if you travel together, please tell of that as well."

Morrigan looked at the back of the tall woman's head. Her voice sounded familiar, and she felt warm and safe in her presence.

The witch cleared her throat as she walked behind. "Would you care for a ride instead?" Xellexes offered a hand to the woman walking next to him. Her legs and feet were sore from the chase earlier as she kindly took the man's hand as he helped her onto his steed.

"I am Xellexes, a pleasure to meet you." He said after they adjusted with the extra rider.

"Ruroni."

"Lili." The ranger called behind her.

"Deedolit." The Beguiler calmed further.

With a pause at hearing her friend's name, "Morrigan." The witch answered back as she then took notice of her riding partner. His features were strikingly handsome, as well as an elf. He looked at her, giving a small smile. "Comfortable?" he asked gently.

She cleared her throat once more and told of her encounter with the Grey Warden who rose from death to end the Blight.

"Thank you and to your mother for saving my daughter's life." Deedo thought back to the witch who lived in the wood, told of the Blights coming, with Maric not living to see it.

For years she had been searching for a way to come back to Thedas. She had missed so much, decades have gone in a flash. But to her and her kind, it meant little. She gave her word she would be here for Maric. Her heart tightened with each beat, one thrum hurting worse than the next. Feeling she could have protected them, all of them if she were here. The information that they acquired while funding the trips to Kunark.

Vital information that she found scouring the books of the Grand Library. She should have forgone all of it to be here.

Then who sat on the throne, if not Cailan who was to succeed him. She fretted. Tears stung her eyes she would kill Asha'bellanar for causing her inability to return, the kidnapping of her child, and the long years that vanished.

The Royal Palace Library.

Finding nothing in the library, Wynne gave up for the night and called for Sten to keep watch in her place. If she had to leave to find out the reason for the seemingly incurable sleep. She loved the girl as her own, growing fond of her as each day passed, and the older woman long decided she would give up her guardian spirit if it meant finding a cure for the young woman.

Would Olett wake on her own? Anything the Blight touches ruins. That sickness touched her when the light penetrated her body. That unholy light.

The thought struck her as she came to her room. "Maybe the ashes could help. They certainly helped the Arl? Countering one, with another." Wynne was more determined than before as she drifted off to sleep.

Pilgrim's Path, Outside of Vigil's Keep.

The group had continued in silence, Deedo more so than the others did, they had listened as Morrigan told of the encounters she had with the Warden and events leading to the ending of the Blight, as well as the current state the Warden was in.

They continued to walk on; the sky was dotted with stars, a moonless night sky. The hour was late, the road empty, the rhythmic sound of hoofbeats clomping on the ground, crickets chirping with other various nightly noises.

Ruroni was nodding off in her saddle. Lili'Enyel and Cullen seemed to be unaffected as he held on to the small boy, who was sound asleep in his arms. Xellexes held a sleeping Morrigan; he watching ahead saw the elder Deedo hanging her head once in a while.

" Meleth unless you are thinking, we should rest, if not for yourself then the younger ones, I am certain we have made it closer to our destination, you need rest." He warned he knew she would never purposefully deprive the young ones, but in the unknown land, the others had no real feel of time from the new world around them.

Cullen chimed in, "I agree. It is rather late. We could be closer to the city, I would like nothing more than to continue myself as Lord Xellexes is correct, the younger ones need a stretch."

The High elf woman turned to the two men and nodded as she halted, dismounting her mare. Finding a suitable spot along the tainted land was difficult as soon as a spot large enough for them all.

"Love, I need your help with the pavilion." Deedo politely asked of the Ranger, while she pulled a few seeds from her pouch.

Going to the area that was best suited she tossed the seeds down, each glowed various colors of green as if waiting for instruction.

A spell whispered. She had to remember, without her sister with them. Cullen's eyes watched the seeds grow to sink, stretching into the ground, seeing a base formed. Deedo walked on the newly grown grasses as the vines continued to drop tiny seeds that formed a larger grass carpet, then dropping six larger seeds a cot made of leaves took its place.

Small buds of exotic flowers sprouting of lavender and various shades of blues and pinks blossomed, illuminating the interior dimly. The vines grew in various sizes; the floor made up of thinner tendrils tightly bound, dug deep into the ground. There were four posts of thicker vines. The Ladies floated from the ground to drape the large, thick canvas over top. Securing the corners with the thin vine tendrils.

Once finished within–a hole of medium size dug out the center of the makeshift room, lit with branches and sprinkled with lavender seeds. Warming the room, she exited, casting levitation on the sleeping Bard, easing them into the pavilion.

Casting levitation on the sleeping human woman next, Xellexes easily moved Morrigan to a cot. Cullen, astounded by what he saw but did not question it. Deedo cast on the child and carried him in. The horses milled about, nibbling on sweet blades of the grass carpet made for them.

Each was asleep as soon as their heads hit their rolled cloaks, minus Deedo who kissed the girls, and Vy'el, tucking them in under thicker clocks. Before lying down for the evening.

"My Lady, is this the sort of sorcery that exists you spoke of?" Cullen asked as he touched one of the velvety petals of the luminous flowers.

Deedo smiled, "Yes, and much more, sleep well." That was all she needed to say before she drifted off to sleep.

As each flower softly dimmed, most darkening entirely leaving the ones near Cullen lit, "Sleep well... wondrous." The young Templar whispered, finally laying his head down to sleep.

Royal Palace, Month 12 - Haring, 9:31 of the Dragon Age.

Deedolett's mind was awake, she walked through a dreamscape. The halls of Kinloch Hold. All the doors along the hall had closed as she approached, a red ribbon was her only guide. The ribbon ran through the center of the floor. It seemed to light up if she tried to go a different direction.

"…Olett…"

"Jowan, is that you?" her Elven ears heard in the distance.

Following the voice and ribbon, she ascended the tower. Climbing the stairs, she looked out of one window; she stopped and peered out.

She saw a forest, trees that seemed to touch the sky. As she tried to look for more of the forest from the corner of her eye, the ribbon glowed once more.

"…Dee…"

Turning her attention back to the voice and her climb, each of the doors continued to close at her approach. Deedolett went to try the door she knew well and saw that it would not budge. She had no choice but to continue her climb.

Gentile voice echoing up and around the empty corridors. The mage called. "Who is there? Cullen, Jowan? First Enchanter, Knight - Commander, anyone?" a shake of her fawn head, she tarried on.

Something from the window caught her eye. She peeked out, and what she saw was a wonder, a flock of Griffin, only pictured in books soaring high in the clouded sky. Her heart swelled. Her mind wishing she too could soar high and free. The ribbon glowed once more, drawing her to follow.

"Yes, no time for such fantasies. Where is it you are leading me to?" she chuckled as the ribbon seemed to glow in response.

As she made her way closer to the top, she saw a large shield–upon closer inspection; her smile turned into a frown. Within the shield was she, and on the outside was Cullen.

She beat on the shield and it hissed when she hit it, "I am no demon, it is me, you have to, believe me, I would never harm you."

He narrowed his eyes as he looked down upon the face of the one who haunted him, "Damn you and damn your kind, if you will not slay the malificar then I shall!" He barked out furiously, taking off towards the Harrowing chamber.

Frantically beating on the shield, her words not affecting the man, "No, please no, Cullen listen to me, you have to know what I say is the truth, CULLEN!" she sank to her knees listening to the screams of the men and women who trapped above her.

The elf hung her head; she never knew he could harbor so much hatred towards her ability or others like her. It was painful to watch. Slowly learning what became of him. When she tended to him after it all over.

Olett never hated him for his words. Realizing, if that leaf was her in his stead. She dare not imagine her ire afterward. Deedolett did what she knew was right. End Uldred. Furious she was for his hand in the deaths of those she watched grow up, who she taught, and who she called friends.

"Imagine that was how he wished me to do it, I know I made the right choice." She ambled to the stairs leading to the chamber above. If the image of Cullen were ever used against her… Maker help the poor sod who planted it there.

As she pushed on the heavy door, finding them light as feathers. She climbed the remaining steps, Olett had to shield her eyes from the blinding light. Once aqua eyes adjusted to the intrusive brilliance she lowered her hands. What wonder she gazed upon stolen her words.

An enormous silver and gold dragon. Scales glistened pearl, iridescent pearl color, its tail resting neatly on its muzzle. In awe, Olett approached it as it opened its eyes. A deep marine blue, so entrancing it is you cannot help but admire its magnificence.

It shifted its tail and raised its mighty head. A series of low rumbles and clicks reverberated off the walls, and the ground thumped with the beat of its massive heart.

Careful steps she took as she admired the creature before her. "Was it you who called me?" she asked in a whisper, not wanting to frighten it.

It looked at her, lifting its head higher to the domed ceiling, expanding its wings to stretch, glorious feathers of the purest white rustled then shifted neatly tucked from its morning stretch. Then into her mind. It spoke.

"No, I did not call you… I am Urthemiel, one of the seven ancient ones, long before your time."

As it went to shift positions once more, the red ribbon followed to a line on the underbelly of the dragon, a bright red slit running from its forelegs to its hind. In addition, with each beating of the dragon's heart, the ribbon illuminated.

Reaching tentatively, inches from the magnificent beast, to touch the creature that was so stunningly beautiful, she wanted to feel such a marvelous being.

"… Deedolett?" She turned and stood near the stairs with his arms open wide, Cullen. She ran to him, glad to see a friendly face, going to embrace him. The tail of Urthemiel came down before her, barring her path.

The dragon spoke once more, "What brings you before me child, was there something you wished of Urthemiel?" it shifted positions stretching its long scaled tail.

Startled by the gesture she turned slowly to the old one. "I know not what brought me to you. I have nothing I wish for. If possible, how did you come to be here in the Kinloch Hold Harrowing chamber?"

The floor slowly fell from beneath them as the dragon drew her closer, revealing the millions of Darkspawn that inhabited the many byways and catacombs far from Dwarven, Human and Elven eyes.

"You hear them calling, do you not, child of Norrath. You who ended my servitude to the twisted children of the Blight. Stumbled upon by your father. They amass as we speak to seek another god to lead them to cover the lands to blot out what once was beautiful and pure as the Maker saw fit."

As Deedolett looked below her feet, hovering high above the horde that gathered, in what looked like a sea of misshapen bodies, far under Thedas, her heart thrummed within her chest.

"What? Norrath? What do you mean? Never would bring myself to harm one as…" She could not finish her rambling as she stood wide-eyed. Stumbling back she fell back, only to be caught by the twisted claws of Urthemiel the Beautiful.

No longer looking at the once beautiful dragon of silver and gold, but something only night terrors made real before her.

The Beautiful Urthemiel scales became marred grey, and its wings the entrancing pearlescent gleam melted to a sickly grey-lavender and the once deep marine of the creatures' eyes had coating them with death and decay.

The brilliant red that made up the ribbon and wound on its stomach changed to black, as dark as pitch.

With a piercing roar, the once beautiful spewed a hellish flame. The horde grew loud and restless, the ribbon rose encircled around her feet, wrapping around encased her in a cocoon until it covered her completely. And it was dark.

Deedolett opened her eyes, her heart erratic. What she saw before truly left her speechless. Still, she now stood in the beauty of rolling knolls and trees that reached the blue skies above. A voice she knew broke the peaceful serenity.

"Hello girl, is it about time you wake up, or will you stay asleep? Either way, you are here."

The woman did not resemble her former self. Her hair was pulled into what looked like horns, and her hands were gloved with claw-like gauntlets, as she stepped to the Elven mage, circling her running a clawed finger across her shoulders. Deedo felt uneasy as she was being appraised. Deedolett swallowed hard, "Are you here to help me again?" Uncertain of the reason for being before her.

"I wanted to thank you for helping with that girl of mine."

"What do you mean; Morrigan came with us because you wanted her too." Deedo stepped away from her cold touch. Spinning to come face to face with the amber yellow-eyed witch.

"Did I? As well as her finding the book to help the last two Wardens in Ferelden. To tell you about 'her' becoming my host body, as well as getting you to destroy me?" She cackled as she straightened, "What she thought was my reason to season her. But it was never her I was after."

Olett recalled everything that had taken place and she looked up to see Flemeth change, younger alluring. "My darling, you have grown into a lovely woman, I have missed you so much." Her honey-like voice touched the young elf's heart.

Warmth, she felt warm, and it felt familiar, in not a pleasant way. She struggled with the sudden intrusion of sleep that had come over her.

The Witch of the Kocari Wilds embraced the young girl. Eyes like that of a dragon, yellow with brilliant blood-red veins that shaded the edged iris, her hand contorted, nails becoming thick as claws aimed right for her spine.

"….edolett…"

Deedolett opened her eyes partway, "Yes, did you say something?"

"Of course not love, just enjoy the hug, I have missed you so." The creature's hand came to rub claws along her spine.

"….Move away…"

"Why would you miss me? We have never met, do you know me? I should move... away?" Deedolett went to raise her head and she was quickly held firmly in place. "Ow, you are hurting me."

Her low growl rumbled softly, barely noticeable, and slowly permeated the very ground where they stood.

"DEEDOLETT NO…. MOVE AWAY!"

Another voice familiar in its calling. "Jowan?"

It went black once more, the only sound was her steady heartbeat. Ba-bum…, Ba-bum…, Ba-bum…

King Alistair's bed chambers.

The sun over Ferelden crawled its way into the sky, chasing the blanket of the night away. The inhabitants of the city of Denerim were awake with the continued rebuilding and cleanup from the Blight.

The castle was already alive with the hustle of cooking, cleaning, and making ready for any such event the new king would have had done this day.

Regent Eamon made his way to the King's dressing room, passing mage Wynne, given a message to pass along. He knocked on the door, awaiting his acknowledgment.

"Yes… Enter." Alistair called over his shoulder as his attendants prim him for the start of the day.

"Your Majesty, you are to meet with several farmers from the Bannorn, they bring news of grasses from the area of Lothering as large patches of grass covering the fields that were destroyed during the blight. Cleanup of the city is running smoothly, and Mage Wynne wished to have a word with you when you have a moment. Then there is this…" The older man bowed his head slightly as he addressed his charge, also handing an official-looking missive.

Alistair turned, nodding until he was ready to start his duties, ones that seem never-ending, when all he wished to do at this point was spending time with the sleeping Elf. Eamon noticed the dark circles still under the young man's eyes.

Eamon sighed, he knew why his nephew looked as such. Sparring with the guest well into the night.

"Aye. Any word on the condition of Olett?" Asking as he undid the top button on the collar of his Winter tunic, grimacing at the Elven boy. The elf in question bowed as he headed out of the room. Taking the missive from Eamon he turned it over paused, it bore the emblem of the Grey Wardens from Weisshaupt.

"None, but I will assume–if I may, that is what Mage Wynne wishes to speak with you about. How are you sleeping?" The older man placed a hand on the king's shoulder.

Alistair sighed, feeling less constricted. "Well enough. I, as the others, worry over her state. There has been nothing in any of the books that indicates how to rouse her from her unconscious."

The older man nodded. "I am sure this is what Mage Wynne is seeking you for. There is something to have her come around. Until then I will speak with farmers, take the short time you have to visit her before you address your duties."

"Thank you." With a grateful, lopsided smile, Alistair did just that.