Pain, Vengeance, Solitude... Are They Eternal?


Crossing through the area where the magic of the forest had blocked them previously, there was a sensation of mist receding from their eyes as the group strode deeper along the path. Padfoot was in the front, sniffing along and growling as they were coming closer to something.

And then they saw another werewolf just around a bend, standing on the path as it waited for them.

"The forest has not been vigilant enough, still you come," it grumbled. "You are stronger than we anticipated. The Dalish chose well for their mercenaries. But you do not belong here, outsider. Leave this place!"

"We would try to settle things peacefully, if you would but let us," Leliana said.

"You are sent by the treacherous Dalish to kill Witherfang," the werewolf replied. "I will not stand by and allow that to happen!"

"I seek to end the conflict," Harry corrected him. "Perhaps there is a way to end the curse that has transformed you?"

"Honeyed words will not sway me." Several other werewolves had come up the path to stand behind the speaker. "You are an intruder in our home. Intruders come to kill- it is a lesson we have learned well. Here Witherfang protects us. Here we learn our names and are beloved. We will defend Witherfang and this place with our lives!"

The tension in the air made it clear that a fight was soon to break out, but before the lycanthropes could attack, a large, snow white wolf leapt in between the two groups. It let out a howl and the werewolves ran deeper into the woods.

"Was that Witherfang?" Wynne asked. "It stopped them from attacking us."

"Perhaps the beast could tell how powerful we are?" Leliana suggested. "If it seeks to protect its kind, then knowing when to flee would be useful in sparing their lives."

"Ruddy cowards," Oghren complained. "Even the sodding wolves won't let me have a good fight."

"I hesitate to agree with the drunken dwarf, but this is getting rather tiresome," Shale added. "Let us find this creature and end this already."

"We're getting closer," Harry said. "There is very, very old magic nearby. If I were to look for a lair, that would be the first place I'd look."

"Then 'twould be for the best if we are prepared for a battle," Morrigan offered. "They have made clear their inclination to fight rather than reason."

"Agreed," Harry answered.

Several minutes later, they came upon crumbling stone ruins of some ancient fortress, and three werewolves ran between the group and their destination.

"We are invaded! Intruders have deceived their way into the forest's heart! Fall back to the ruins! Protect the Lady!"

It howled one last time and they ran inside.

Padfoot shifted back into Sirius and sighed. "Well, they definitely are going to be ready for us."

"I'm ready for a good fight," Oghren said.

Shale nodded in agreement and handed the umbrella back to Harry. "While I am ready to be inside, away from these old trees and wherever the feathered monsters are hiding."

"In we go, then," Sirius said as he led the way.


The ruins held a wide stairway that angled downwards, eventually opening up into an enormous, cavernous room, with light shining down in various shafts there the ceiling had fallen apart, notably in several spots around some gigantic tree roots that had burrowed down into the ancient stonework.

Nearly a dozen werewolves came running up from a tunnel that led off to the right, charging forward almost in a fury.

"Destroy the intruders!"

Padfoot slammed into one of the beasts as it had sprinted towards Leliana. The blow sent the grim and the were tumbling aside, knocking a second wolf off its feet. Leliana peppered the downed creature with multiple arrows as fast as she could fire.

"About sodding time!" Oghren bellowed as he smashed a foe with his great maul.

A second werewolf slashed at his flank, but Shale grabbed the creature, lifted it off its feet and began crushing it. The beasts tried to tear free, even attempting to bite the golem, but it only got broken fangs and talons for its efforts as the stone warrior squeezed and headbutted the beast, laughing all the while.

The spellcasters had been raining destruction down as well. Morrigan's Cone of Cold slowed several attackers, and Wynne followed that up by knocking them off their feet by channeling the raw power of the Earth itself, shaking the ground beneath them and launching boulders into the mass of fallen werewolves. Morrigan began picking the survivors off with cutting curses, leaving heads literally rolling.

For Harry's part, he had tried the old tactic of sowing treachery into the midst of their enemies by using the Imperius curse to control one of the rabid beasts and sending it to attack its brethren. That delayed two others, one that it hamstrung and another that it bit on the back of one thigh. Those three were soon in a mad scramble as they tore at each other with their claws.

"Sirius!"

Leliana's cry drew Harry's attention as one of the werewolves had pinned Padfoot and bit deeply into his side, blood spewing as flesh was ripped away. Harry had already lost his godfather once- he wasn't going to let it happen again.

"Avada Kedavra!"

The green light ended the werewolf in a flash and Harry was already running towards the injured grim. One other lycanthrope briefly got in his path, and it too fell to a killing curse.

"Hold still, Padfoot," he murmured as he knelt down and looked at the wound. First, he cast a cleansing spell, hoping to help fight off any infection, and then a second healing charm to close the wound itself.

"Will he be alright?" Leliana asked.

"Where we came from, animals were not in danger from being infected by werewolves," Harry replied as he kept channeling the healing spell over the vicious bite. "That was why Sirius and my father became animaguses, to help a friend of theirs. But I'm not sure how well that translates to the magic involved in this case."

Morrigan approached and watched Harry work. "The curse is strong. I believe I would still be affected, even if I were to shapeshift into another form."

"That's why you let us bruisers handle the beasts, sweet cheeks," Oghren laughed. "A little scratch won't kill me."

Wynne fussed over the dwarf. "I'll be the judge of that. Where were you hit?"

"It's just a scratch," he grumbled as she cured him.

"Well, if it wasn't a bite, I suppose you're safe."

"I can't believe you won't allow me to kill this bothersome little toad," Morrigan scowled at the dwarf.

Harry chuckled as he finished his healing spell, seeing no further damage remaining. "He is a friend of mine, so please don't kill him." He turned to the dwarf and smirked. "But, if he does keep harassing you, I suppose turning him into a toad might teach him a lesson."

The dwarf scampered behind Shale's massive leg. "I'll be good."

Padfoot let out a rather pitiful growl.

"You can stay in that form if you want," Harry said. "The grim's natural healing might be stronger than if you were to shift back."

Padfoot nodded and forced himself to stand.

"I'll take the lead this time," Harry added as he walked towards the hallway the werewolves had come barging out of. It was much narrower, forcing the group to go no more than two wide, although Shale took up both spots behind Harry. Oghren had hurried in front of the golem to walk with Harry.

"Well, that was more like it," the dwarf grinned. "How many more of them do you think we'll find down here?"

"Plenty."

"I hope so."

Harry snickered at Oghren's bloodlust as they came to a large door. The dwarf heaved against it and yet it stayed closed.

"They're barred it from the other side," Oghren said with a scowl.

"I can fix that."

Wand in hand, Harry vanished the door and they moved further down the hallway. He let a brief bit of the Death Magic out and sensed more than a dozen lifeforms ahead of them, including one very powerful spirit. "We're almost there."

"Good."

"Let me talk before we start fighting," Harry said.

"You're no fun," Oghren muttered.

Soon they found another werewolf standing in front of a door. It let out a growl and spoke. "We do not wish any more of our people to be hurt. The Lady says it is time to parley."

"It's too bad the others didn't feel the same," Harry replied.

"Some of our more violent brothers and sisters were too lost to their anger, and that is why they rushed to kill you," the werewolf said. "But the Lady believes you have not been told the entire story, and she wishes to speak with you. She means you no harm, provided your willingness to parley in peace is honest."

"Then lead the way," Harry replied.

"Really?" Oghren muttered.

"You can stay battle ready, my friend," he chuckled in response. "I wouldn't expect anything less. Just don't do anything to start a fight, but be prepared to finish it."

"Follow me," the werewolf said as it led them all into a very large cavern, once again with roots coming down from the ceiling, which was semi-exposed to the air above. There were a few trees growing, spread out around the room, and one very massive tree trunk holding up the natural wall on the other side of the room.

Many werewolves were gathered there, including the leader who had called himself Swiftrunner. He stood at the fore of his group, all of them growling angrily. But movement drew Harry's eye as several of the beasts parted to allow a humanoid woman to pass.

She looked mostly human, close to seven feet tall but with green skin and what looked like vines wrapped around her body almost like clothes. Her long, straight hair was black, as were her eyes- black on black, an eerie thing. Harry knew that this was the powerful spirit he had sensed.

"I bid you welcome, mortals," she said. "And you as well, Master of Death. I am the Lady of the Forest."

"Did the other spirits tell you of me?" Harry asked.

"I am old enough to sense these things," she replied. "If my children had listened, less blood could have been spilled."

"Well, it's good that we can speak now, at least."

"Do not listen to him, Lady!" Swiftrunner countered. "He will betray you! We must attack him now!"

"Hush, Switfrunner," she implored him. "Your urge for battle has only seen the death of too many of our friends already. I know that is not what you truly want. That is to say nothing of the foolishness of warring with someone like this man."

"You can call me Harry," he said with a small bow.

"Harry," she returned the bow with a smile. "Calm yourself, Swiftrunner, and let Harry and I come to a bargain."

"As you say, my Lady." The werewolf took a step back but kept its eyes wary.

"I apologize on Swiftrunner's behalf," she said. "He struggles with his nature."

"You lead them?" Leliana asked.

"Those whom I have helped are very grateful for what I have done for them," the Lady answered. "I offer them guidance, but I do not command them. No doubt you have questions. There are things that Zathrian has not told you."

"How do you know what he may have told us?" Morrigan wondered.

"Because there are things that he would not tell," the Lady replied. "Old things, painful things. Things that you should know before you decide for yourself how to proceed. You see, it was Zathrian who created the curse that these creatures suffer. The same curse that his own people now suffer.

"Centuries ago, when the Dalish first came to this land, a tribe of humans lived close to this forest. They sought to drive the Dalish away. Zathrian was a young man then. He had a son and daughter he loved greatly, and while out hunting the human tribe captured them both."

"Hrrr." Swiftrunner growled and interjected. "The humans tortured and killed the boy. The girl they raped and left for dead. The Dalish found her, but she learned later... she was with child. She killed herself."

"And in his grief and rage, Zathrian cursed them all," Harry said.

"Zathrian came to these ruins and summoned a terrible spirit, binding it to the body of a great wolf," Swiftrunner replied. "So Witherfang came to be. He hunted the humans of the tribe. Many were killed, but others were cursed by his blood, becoming twisted and savage creatures..."

"Twisted and savage just as Witherfang himself is," the Lady added. "They were driven into the forest. When the human tribe finally left for good, their cursed brethren remained, pitiful and mindless animals."

"Until I found you, my Lady," Swiftrunner said as he knelt beside her. "You gave me peace."

"I showed Swiftrunner that there was another side to his bestial nature," she said. "I soothed his rage, and his humanity emerged. And he then brought others to me."

"So, you attacked the Dalish, in order to try to... what? Draw Zathrian to you?"

"We seek to end the curse," the Lady replied. "The crimes committed against Zathrian's children were grave, but they were committed centuries ago by those who are long dead. Word was sent to him every time the tribe's landships passed this way, asking him to come, but he has always ignored us. We will no longer be denied."

"We spread the curse to his people so that he must end the curse to save them!" Swiftrunner said.

"Please, Harry... you must go to him," the Lady begged. "Bring him here. If he sees these creatures, hears their plight... surely, he will agree to end the curse."

"I believe he wishes to save his people," Harry answered. "But from what little I have gleaned from him, I doubt he cares to help your kind."

"He will never break the curse, my Lady!" Swiftrunner growled. "He will never allow it! You know this!"

"We cannot know that," she argued. "Surely his rage does not run so deep that he would endanger his own clan.

"If Zathrian comes, I shall summon Witherfang. I possess that power. I also have the power so that Witherfang will never be found," she added with a glare. "Tell Zathrian this. If he does not come, if he does not break the curse, he will never find Witherfang, and he will never cure his people."

Harry sighed. "I hope he will listen to reason."

"They say time heals all wounds," Leliana offered.

"Even with oceans of time, scars will remain," Harry countered. "And if this scar runs as deep as I think it does..."

"We must try," Wynne said.

"I agree," he nodded.

"Then go, and return with Zathrian," the Lady said. "One way or another, we shall see an end to this curse today."


Returning down the hall that led to the entrance to the ruins, Harry and Morrigan were in the front, both of them trying to ignore the grumbling coming from Oghren about not getting to fight anything else today.

"Are we really going to walk all the way back to the Dalish camp?" she asked.

"I just want to get back to the surface, and then I'll apparate, grab Zathrian, and pop right back here."

"Why not leave from here?"

"I didn't want to show that form of magic off in front of the werewolves," he replied. "Just in case we do have to resort to violence."

"'Tis better to be safe than sorry," Morrigan agreed.

"Exactly," Harry said. "Plus, I want to take a few minutes to make sure that Sirius hasn't had any further problems develop from that bite."

"Then we may have a problem." Morrigan pointed out into the center of the large room where they had battled the werewolves, and there stood Zathrian, looking over the corpses.

"Let me deal with this," Harry whispered as he strode toward the elf.

"Ah, and here you are already," Zathrian said.

"I thought the forest would keep you out," Harry began.

"I am a Keeper," he responded. "With access to powers your kind has long forgotten. I was never barred from this place."

"He wishes to see if we did his dirty work for him," Morrigan snorted, although Harry wasn't sure if it was disgust or amusement in her tone. "Is that not why you are here now, sorcerer?"

"Do not call me that, witch," he scowled at her. "I am Keeper of this clan and have done what I must. Did you acquire the heart?"

"No."

"Why then were you leaving these ruins?"

"To bring you with me," Harry replied. "The Lady of the Forest won't summon Witherfang until you break the curse."

"You do understand that she actually is Witherfang?" Zathrian asked.

"It doesn't matter," Harry shrugged.

"She is the powerful spirit of this ancient forest that I summoned long ago and bound in the body of a wolf," the elf replied. "Her nature is that of the forest itself. Beautiful and terrible, serene and savage, maiden and beast. She is the Lady and Witherfang both, two sides of the same being. The curse came first from her. Those she afflicted with it mirrored her own nature, becoming savage beast as well as human."

"I know the truth," Harry countered. "You created the curse."

"They attacked my clan," Zathrian said. "They were the same savages then that they have ever been. They deserve to be wiped out, not defended."

"Will you let those of your clan die then?"

"Take me to the monster, and I will force her to show her true nature."

Harry raised an eyebrow but nodded, waving him on down the path. Following after the bitter old elf, Morrigan soon slid over to Harry and whispered to him. "Are you still going to try to talk things out?"

"I can make him see reason."

"How?"

"Empathy."


The elf quickened his pace and soon found the Lady standing in front of the werewolves. "So here you are, spirit."

Swiftrunner growled and stepped forward. "She is the Lady of the Forest! You will address her properly!"

"You've taken a name?" Zathrian smirked. "And you've given names to your pets? These beasts who follow you?"

"It was they who gave me a name, Zathrian," she replied calmly. "And the names they take are their own. They follow me because I help them to find who they are."

"Who they are has not changed from whom their ancestors were," he snarled. "Wild savages! Worthless dogs! Their twisted shape only mirrors their monstrous hearts!"

"It does not have to be this way," the Lady said. "There is room in your heart for compassion, Zathrian. Surely your retribution is spent?"

"My retribution is eternal, spirit, as is my pain," he argued. "This is justice, no more."

"Are you certain your pain is the only reason you will not end this curse?" she asked. "Have you told the mortal how it was created?"

"He told me that he summoned you and bound you to a wolf," Harry replied.

"And so he did," she agreed. "Witherfang and I are bound as one being. But such powerful magic could not be accomplished without Zathrian's own blood. Your people believe you have rediscovered the immortality of their ancestors, Zathrian, but that is not true. So long as the curse exists, so do you."

"No, that is-"

Harry cut Zathrian off. "Your pain does not have to be eternal."

"What do you know of my pain?" the elf glared.

"Sixty years ago," Harry began, closing his eyes. "My family was having a birthday party for my eldest child. They had traveled from many countries all to be together. My children and grandchildren, a few great grandchildren even.

"But there was war going on at the time, and a terrible kind of magic was unleashed that day. The city they were in was destroyed in the blink of an eye."

Padfoot let out a mournful howl while Leliana and Wynne gasped.

"All of them were killed," Harry finished. "My wife Daphne survived only because she had been ill and was running late. I picked through the rubble, desperately hoping for some miracle, while my own skin was peeling off due to the immense heat of that terrible weapon. But there was nothing left. Not even bones for me to find."

Silence hung throughout the cavern for a moment while Padfoot nuzzled against Harry's left hand.

"I am sorry for your loss," Zathrian bowed his head.

"As I am sorry for yours," Harry answered. "But would your children want you to remain so possessed by anger? Still wanting revenge? So much so that you would doom those of your clan who have been cursed now as well? I know they would not, because my own children would wish for me to lay down the burdens I carry. Now is the time for you to lay down your pain."

"Perhaps..." the elf sighed. "I have lived too long. This hatred in me is like an ancient, gnarled root. It has consumed my soul.

"What of you, spirit? You are bound to the curse just as I am. Do you not fear your end?"

"You are my maker, Zathrian," the Lady said. "You gave me form and consciousness where none existed. I have known pain and love, hope and fear, all the joy that is life. Yet of all things, I desire nothing more than an end. I beg you, maker... put an end to me. We beg you, show mercy."

Zathrian bowed his head. "You shame me, spirit. I am an old man... alive long past his time."

"Then you will do it? You will end the curse?"

Harry could feel the hope in her voice in a way that was so very familiar.

"Yes. I think it is time to let this end."

Zathrian sat down on the ground, his staff laying across his lap. Taking a dagger from his belt, he slowly slit along his left arm and let the blood drip onto the floor.

"Be at peace, Zathrian," the Lady said.

His eyes closed and he slumped to the ground.

The Lady of the Forest began to shimmer, and the werewolves gathered around her, touching her one last time. Her body dissolved, slowly at first, and then in a blinding flash of light.

The Keeper was dead, and the Lady was gone.

Surrounding them, humans appeared, all of them staring in disbelief at their skin no longer covered in fur.

"It's... over," Swiftrunner gasped. "She's gone, and... we're human. I can scarcely believe it."

"You've got a new life ahead of you," Leliana said.

Wynne added, "Perhaps you can find some of your family still?"

"We can try," he replied. "Thank you. Thank you all."


As the others left, Harry bent down and examined the wound on Padfoot for a moment.

"Okay, Sirius, I believe you can shift back safely now."

His godfather was soon standing before him, and he pulled him into a hug. "Merlin, Harry... that... I don't have words for-"

"It was a long time ago." Harry clapped him on the back and forced out a smile. "At least I know they are at peace. The world after they were gone got so much worse. Did you travel much through Europe?"

"I saw France a few times," Sirius replied. "There was one great trip to the Mediterranean for a couple of weeks. But that was about it."

Harry nodded and got a far off look in his eye. "By the time I left, all those places were destroyed. Europe was decimated by all the wars."

"Great Maker," Leliana murmured. "Is there anything we can do?"

Harry smiled at her. "I'll be alright. But perhaps you should return to the Dalish and see about their wounded. If all went well, they should be recovered from the curse."

"What are you going to do in the meantime?" Sirius asked.

"I sensed a type of magic in these ruins," he replied. "A lot of death filled this place, and the spirits are drawn to it. But there is something else, something old that I need to check on."

"You shouldn't do that alone," Sirius argued.

"I shall stay with him," Morrigan said.

"It won't be a problem," Harry waved off his godfather's concern as he drew his wand and conjured his Patronus. "Prongs will keep the spirits at bay, and I'll just have to follow along behind him until I find the odd magic and determine exactly what it is."

"Are you sure?" Sirius frowned.

"Go with the others," Harry said. "Let Wynne make sure you don't have any problems from that bite, and then she can check on the Dalish who had been bitten as well once you return to camp."

"Alright."

"Shale, Oghren, I trust you can clear the way for the rest of our little group," Harry suggested.

"Of course," Shale said. "Come along, little squishy ones."

The golem began to stomp back towards the path leading out into the forest. Running after her, Oghren yelled out, "Hey, don't hog all the fun!"

Morrigan waited for the others to be out of sight as she and Harry followed the glowing stag down a different pathway. "Is there something you weren't telling them?"

"Are you always so suspicious?" Harry chuckled.

"I have an inkling that I'm correct," she scoffed. "Otherwise, you wouldn't have answered my question with a question."

"Perhaps," he allowed as they walked further on.

"So, what are we really looking for?"

Harry looked at her teasing face and grinned briefly. "I believe I may have mentioned soul magic once or twice. I sensed something like it deeper in these ruins, and I can't in good conscience let it stay here if it could endanger others."

"Something dangerous for us to destroy then?" Morrigan asked.

"Maybe not," he admitted. "Not all soul magic is evil. But it is powerful enough that we should be cautious."

"I shall adhere to your wisdom in this case." She drew her wand just in case though. "If things go poorly, though-"

"We'll destroy it if need be," Harry nodded.

"Very well," she agreed. "Lead on."


So many ancient piles of bones were strewn about the old tunnels and abandoned rooms that they came across. With Prongs leading the way though, the Veil seemed to be strengthened enough to ward off any rage spirits that might have otherwise inhabited the corpses and tried to attack the living.

Harry and Morrigan kept a slow pace as they searched deeper into the ruins. There was no need to risk anything after all.

"We're getting close," he said as they crept down yet another hallway.

"Which way?" she asked.

He pointed to a path off to their right.

"It should be in there."

Morrigan pointed her wand at the door they found and Harry let Prongs clear the path for them.

Inside, they found what appeared to be a very old library.

"I wonder if any of these tomes can be salvaged without them falling apart?" Morrigan asked.

"I know a few preservation spells," Harry replied. "But let me focus on... ah, here it is."

"Is that a phylactery?"

An ornament lay in front of an old statue. There was a pale gem sealing it, and blood encased within the artifact.

Harry drew his wand and waved it back and forth around the area, checking for traps and ambient magic.

"How strange," Morrigan added. "One would think it could have been destroyed after so long. Glass 'tis most fragile, and I would think the spirits would be drawn to the blood, as they are by blood magic."

"It looks safe," Harry replied as he took a step closer.

"Are you sure?"

"It's definitely not a horcrux, or anything similarly dark and cursed," he said as he knelt down and took a closer look at it. He pulled his old glasses out, using their detection capabilities to try to discern the magical patterns within the enchantments. The gem seemed to be the focal point of the magic.

Morrigan peeked over his shoulder. "A device meant to hold a spirit, perhaps? Such would be my guess. Though what might be left of any spirit within after such a long time trapped?"

"It can't just be a spirit," Harry said. "The magic feels different. This feels like a remnant of an old soul."

"Is it dangerous?"

"Maybe." Harry levitated it up off the ground and the gem glowed softly. "Fascinating."

"What shall we do?" Morrigan asked.

"Take a step back." Harry scanned the gem again with his wand, running through every form of detection magic he could remember. "I think it's safe. More like a memory than something twisted and vile."

He touched the gem with his free hand. It was warm to the touch and he could immediately see visions, images of a life not his own.

Elven, in fact. Harry knew that as he felt a presence in the gem recoil in fear, a sense of imprisonment and loneliness. "Perhaps it is more like a spirit than I thought."

"Be careful," Morrigan warned.

The presence in the gem calmed, and Harry felt a plea to not be left alone any longer. It no longer had a name, lost to too many centuries long past, sleeping, awakening in silence, and sleeping again. An image of an elven mage in glittering silver armor, struggled to be seen through the fog of time.

"I see," Harry whispered.

"What do you see?" she asked.

"Eternal solitude. I cannot leave it to such a fate."

"Harry?"

He stood up with the artifact in hand and walked over to a nearby stone altar.

"What are you doing?" Morrigan hissed.

"Oblivion will be a welcome relief."

The voice that responded did not sound like Harry's to her, and Morrigan rushed towards him just as Harry set the gem down. It cracked and the blood seeped into the stone- and though she could not see it, some traces of it stained Harry's palm as the magic faded.

"Relief," he whispered.

He fell to his knees first, then slumped against the altar, eyes closed.

"Harry!"


Author's Note: Yes, I skipped a large portion of the dungeon because there is no reason for Harry not to use magic to open the door that leads directly to the werewolf lair. But, I did want to trigger the encounter at the end of the chapter that those of you who played the game should recognize.

Things have progressed well, and so we'll be heading to the final arc of the game in Denerim soon. There will be a few other little bits and pieces to add also. If you know Dragon Age: Origins well, then you probably realize I have skipped the Haven sequence, and if you're wondering, Harry won't be doing the Return to Ostagar DLC since he never was at Ostagar in the first place- although I may reference things about that later on.

Hope you enjoyed it. :) Till next time!