A/N Working on the next chapter, wish me luck.
The flight that took off from the Kinloch Hold was just a breezy half an hour in, Cullen still leery of magic, felt safe enough with the others, but the flying was a little much. Looking over the furry side of Dragon formed Deedo he called ahead.
"Lady Deedo, is it possible we could walk, I fear this is too much for myself, I do not think they will take kindly to your, form." Cullen asked through the winds as they swept past them, he felt a rumble coming from the dragon form of Deedo.
Xellexes translated, "She states that we will land shortly and take our horses."
Cullen nodded for a second then looked to the others, "Where do to keep them?" The elves were a strange group but everything they said he ate, wanting to know more and more about them – and slowly learning about the younger Deedo.
The twins reached into the pocket of their cloak and pulled tiny whistles. Cullen held tight to the soft fur he slowly his grip loosened and started to pet the silken strands of fur, running his fingers through the luscious locks, Deedo rumbled again.
Lili'Enyel chuckled, "She says you tickled her, hold on we are about to land." The decent made Cullen's head spin, it was exhilarating but frightening all the same.
~O~O~O~O~
Once they landed they found themselves in a clearing, from a previously used campsite, Lili went inspecting the surrounding area thinking she saw something just as they landed, as Cullen sat on the ground trying to get his stomach out of his throat. The others pulled their whistles about to give a quick trill.
"Everyone wait, there is something coming." Lili trotted back, "They looked grey and misshapen they are heading right for us." She drew her bow, not waiting a moment longer she let the arrow fly blindly through the trees.
Cullen looked up to the others, he was not in his armor, he was quickly getting to his feet as he drew his sword, then without warning a flurry of spells coated him, he felt stronger, a thin layer of barbs extended outwards, and Ruoni started to sing following behind Lili'Enyel.
Xellexes summoned a wolf to his side - the whole camp was glowing with spells as they flew from one person to the other. Lili was sending flurries of arrows, several feet from the camp into the darkening forest.
"We need to disperse them quickly, Cullen close your eyes I am about to improve your vision." He did as he was told and as he opened his eyes everything seemed brighter he could make out the lay of the forest as if the sun was high in the sky.
Deedo cast another spell, a sword and shield, the body was invisible, just like Deedolett's that day in the library.
Deedo cast on the pet several other spells then began to cast on herself. The pet, and the others were heading into the forest as the sounds were coming closer.
~O~O~O~O~
The Lady Deedo looked ahead as the spell started to take hold she closed her eyes and opened them slowly, they were a blood ruby color, her hair the white gold strands started to straighten and become white as the first snow, shrinking to her waist.
Lady Deedo – almost my height of six foot even, shrank as well her skin becoming… blue? I watched in fascination her slender frame put on a little weight her face plumped slightly, and her outfit.
The Maker must have turned his gaze, the Lady was no more, and in her place was a blue elf with snow-white hair and angry red eyes. She turned her eyes to me and crooked a finger beckoning me to come closer.
"We fight, I want to know if you are worthy of my daughter." The blue elf pulled me down by my tunic to face her.
I swallowed hard, nodding she released me and sauntered off behind the others, I followed quickly to see fire raining down from the sky, the twisted creatures known as Darkspawn writhing in agony.
The elves were strong the spells they cast beforehand seemed to go on forever. Their mana endless, I watched as Deedo let herself become surrounded by ten of the foul creatures as they swung, her pet attacked and others still drew near.
Lili fell several with her bow, switching to her sword when some came close, Tenkou had a few trapped within roots of the trees, casting a flame spell that flickered like a kitten lapping up cream form a saucer.
Ruoni sang while she slashed at the beast, and Xellexes shocked others with lightening that jumped from his fingertips.
None used staves, my knowledge of magi included they needed a focus staff to cast, theirs were effortless, as I watched on – spells dancing about Deedo was soon out matched.
I rushed to her side and stabbed a tall darkspawn with iron stuck within its skull, disgusted I freed my sword from the back withdrawing my blade I sliced another coming on my right.
My skin started to tingle wildly, I look over my shoulder -to where Deedo is, her hands out starched before her, the ground in a twenty foot circle began to glow white and I was standing right in it, the grass shifted but no wind blew.
Then several brilliant colors of blue, yellow, and green rose from the ground, my line of sight went from the Lady Deedo to the Darkspawn around, the seemed stunned, transfixed.
Rooted to the spot they did not move- easy prey. Her invisible warrior and I hacked at the beast felling them quickly, the others followed as well.
Soon it was over the bodies of at least fifty creatures lay at our feet. Then the burning began, the wretched smell of the bodies was sickening and for the moment, I wondered if Deedolett had done the same.
~O~O~O~O~
"Bellabreeze, are you well?" Xellexes set fire to another corps making sure it was burning.
"Yes damn you I am fine." The blue Lady hissed, her skin was paling, and she was breathing hard.
I went over to her and she looked at me with a look of anger and acceptance, "You do not look well at all, your pupils have dilated and you are sweating." I look her over and notice a deep cut as long as my hand on her back, it was bubbling slightly a sick looking green color.
"You have been cut." I put my finger on the wound then stick my finger in my mouth spiting quickly, "You have been poisoned. Quick let me apply an antidote."
~O~O~O~O~
Cullen rushed to his pack near the campfire and his skin tingle once more. He could hear words spoken that sounded course and snake like. Cullen turned to face the woman again he saw a glow coming from the spot on the elf's back. Then Ruoni stared to strum her lute.
Deedo sat on the ground while the magic worked over her. Slowly he watched as she returned to normal once more, her body elongated, hr skin the pale blush he was use to seeing, and her eyes shifted to the warm aqua once more as she talked to Tenkou and Lili'Enyel.
Cullen took tentative steps towards the others, Deedo looked over to him smiling warmly, she raised her and to him and he came closer taking her hand.
"May I ask, just what are, or who are you?" Cullen asked as he took his place next to Deedolett's Mother.
Deedo looked over to see Cullen looking a little confused "Is it because Xellexes called me Bellabreeze?" Cullen nodded.
"That is because I can change shape and become a number of beings, or things I can even become a tree." She asked Lili'Enyel to hand her pack over, taking the bag from the silver haired girl Deedo fumbled around pulling things out, the box she made the necklaces, a small velvet bag, and then with a laugh she pulled a red leather book out laying it on her lap.
The cover had golden print and a funny looking character with a single eye, something unknown to Cullen, and Deedo brushed her long fingers over the print.
"Here it says, Enchanter, this symbol here is the Enchanter mark, in short it lets us know which house we come from, what we specialize in.
She then started to leaf through the aged tome, there were notes and little scribbles throughout the pages, turning the book to face him, she pointed at one of the little scribbles and it shown as a character.
"This is the illusion I used, Teir'dal a Dark Elf one of the evil children… here is one for Dwarf, and here are the animation spells for the sword and shield that is standing alongside us." Deedo watched as he fingered through the pages of her spell book.
Cullen noticed a note in the book that looked like numbers, "Deedo what is this a date?" He asked as he pointed out the marking to her.
Deedo looked at the numbers and smiled softly, "Yes Deedolett birth record."
"Can you tell me what it says." Cullen looked like a small child wanting a fairy story to help get him to sleep.
Deedo took the book from him and closed it, Cullen looked a bit upset the elven woman laid a hand on his and gave it a squeeze,
"It says, 'This day a babe I bore, so small and so much like me, she has my eyes. It is a wonder how I was able to have her under the conditions I am being kept. She is perfect. I have named her Deedolett Swiftleaf, Month 5, Day 10, during the season of Growth." She smiled at the red headed templar who returned a smile in kind.
The more time he spent with the Lady, the more at 'home' he felt. His thoughts wondered once more to Deedolett, wondering how she is fairing, wondering how will she react to not being of this world.
~O~O~O~O~
A young raven-haired boy- roughly fourteen years of age, came running through the halls towards the library before skidding to a stop - as he almost passed his destination. Out of breath, he looked up and down the isle of books to find the person he was looking for.
Spotting his friend seated by the widow, he quickly made his way over. Winded he leaned on the smooth wooden desk in front of her.
"Olett, they… are here…. The new… Templers… and Initiates." He gasped slightly sucking in as much air as he could.
Deedolett looked from her book to the flushed face of her best friend, she flashed his face with a cold spell "You didn't have to run did you?"
Quickly she gathered her books in a neat pile, and together they headed out of the door to get a peek at the new faces.
~O~O~O~O~
They stopped short of the corner hearing an older man talking Jowan peered around the corner. "Look there is Irving talking with them now." Jowan whispered still looking around the corner at the new recruits.
Deedo laid a delicate hand on Jowan's shoulder, bracing herself against him to get a look at the new comers.
"Deedolett, could you come here please?" Irving called over his shoulder.
Deedo straitened up, startled, and briskly walked over to the First Enchanter she could hear Jowan ask how did he know she was standing there.
"Yes First Enchanter?" Deedo ask when she stood at Irving's side tucking her sable colored hair behind her tapered ear, as she looked up to the First Enchanter she heard someone gasp softly next to her.
The older man leaned closely to her and instructed her that her help was needed in the nursery, that there were a couple of children brought in as well. She bowed slightly and made her way to see the new children, tugging Jowan along with her when she cleared the large corner.
The time it took Irving to inform her of her assistance, she felt like she was on display, sending an awful shiver up her spine
~O~O~O~O~
One of the young Templers spotted her from the corner of his eye, nudging his friends on either side of him who took notice as well.
"This one looks like a bit of fun. Bet she'd the type to do as told eh? Know what they say about elf girls or mage girls in general." the boy chuckled as a few of his friends agreed.
"Waltgaud!" Greagoir snapped, hearing the accusing remarks made about the female magi, and especially about Deedolett.
"Ser!" The boy stepped forward
Clearing his throat Greagoir reminded the boys of their duties.
The boy standing closest to Irving had gotten a good look at her, "She has blue eyes." Then hearing the comments made about her decided he would keep an eye out for the girl and Waltgaud.
~O~O~O~O~
Two years had passed and she Deedolett had formed friendships with some of the boys who had come from the world outside the tower.
She also found it more difficult to be around Waltgaud, he kept leering at her managing to find her alone at times, even going as far as to single her out of groups of other magi – and yet she was finding that she was shortly rescued and reprimanded by Cullen.
One day in particular during her dance practice she felt his cold gaze on her back and it disquieted her thoroughly, from that day on she sought out a few of her male friends – to hopefully dissuade Waltgud's unwanted attentions, asking them to walk with her just in case.
Deedo had just finished helping in the nursery when Waltgaud, caught her alone walking by her side she politely declined his assistance.
"Aww, come on I promise I won't bite, let me walk you to the pavilion, it is my duty." He said with a grin that made the sea beats in the books she read look like kittens and rainbows.
Waltgaud stands tall, he is shorter than Cullen by a foot, long black wavy hair stopping at his shoulders setting the perfect frame against his warm olive colored skin, his eyes are the color of storm clouds that go along with his sharp features and his smile is most charming.
Swallowing hard she nodded nervously as he guided her to doors leading outside, he had his fancies during his few years within the tower many a apprentice had swooned over him, talking about is well built physic, his preference has consisted the elves, of either sex.
He had one vice he wanted more than anything and just when he would succeed in cornering the First Enchanters favorite Cullen always rescues her. Today will be the day.
Cullen watched as the two approached, Deedolett stopping before him with a grateful smile.
Looking up at him through her thick lashes, "Hello Ser Cullen, would you care to join us outside?"
"I-I am a-afraid not Miss S-surana." Cullen stuttered out, he could see her small knuckles turn white as she clung to the book in her arms.
"Oh, that is too bad then. He would rather not enjoy the sun with us, more for me to watch." Waltgaud place a gauntleted hand on the small of hr back to guide her.
Cullen watched as he grinned ear-to-ear, leaning in to smell her soft curls, taunting Cullen.
Deedolett's eyes widen as she felt his hand graze her backside, Cullen noticed her sudden tremble before she spoke quickly as she was being led away.
"If you can, join us at the pavilion." Her eyes were screaming please, Cullen felt his stomach twist into a knot, there was nothing he could do but watch as the both of them walked towards the garden.
~O~O~O~O~
Once out in the bright sun Deedolett placed her book down – she kept stealing glances at the door hoping Cullen would have shown by now. Under the watchful eyes of Ser Waltgaud, she removed her robe and folded it neatly placing it on top of her book.
Waltgaud licked his lips as he stood admiring her womanly figure, she was a little taller than the other elves of the tower and he let his eyes roam over her body and down her shapely legs.
The under robe she wore stopped at the knee – but it hugged still enabling her to bend and stretch with minimal difficulty.
Cullen ran to find one of the other templars to take his post, the feeling he had nestled in the pit of his stomach twisted so much he wanted to vomit.
~O~O~O~O~
Deedolett took position, trying to let the steps come naturally but this day the steps did not come. Still feeling the gaze of Waltgaud, she shivered under the warm sun. Closing her eyes and facing away from him, she let her mind relax.
'Think of something else, how beautiful today is? How I wish Cullen was watching…' Deedo's eyes snapped open she felt large hands wrap around her waist. Armor pressed against her back, hands slowly rubbing her stomach and cupping her breast.
His breath hot against her ear, his tongue slowly licking the tapered shell of her ear, with a smile of victory he slid his hand on her thigh lifting the hem of her skirt. He teased the fabric of her undergarments, finding smooth skin.
Waltgaud kissed and licked her neck, "You are delicious. I promised I would not bite, not you at all." He smelled and tasted her.
~O~O~O~O~
Cullen raced to the garden door, his eyes searched the pavilion spotting her robe and book his heart tightened, 'Where are they?'
Checking the parameter of the garden he heard shifting of metal as he approached a large tree near several feet away from the pavilion, his face redden with the thought of what could going on hidden from view.
Tentatively taking steps he saw Deedolett's head thrown back eyes half lidded, and mouth slightly open. Waltgaud holding her in place while shifting his armor.
Cullen hesitated for a moment longer, the look on Deedolett's face was seductive, but defiantly off, she was not moving, she was limp.
"Ser Waltgaud, what are you doing to that Mage?" Cullen knew he heard the rumors about he and other magi of the tower, but this was in broad daylight.
Waltgaud looked over the top of Deedolett's head, Cullen swallowed, "Deedolett Surana, come here." When she did not move he called again.
Coming closer he pulled Deedolett from his grasp, she fell forward, catching her he looked to Waltgaud, "Do not look at me like that Cullen, she wanted me to, that body of hers wants me." He stood with a smug borderline irritated.
"I will claim her you cannot be around to come to her rescue always." Waltgaud raised his hand to his face then licked his finger with a sick smile before walking back to the confines of the tower.
Cullen turned Deedolett in his arms, brushing her hair from eyes he saw a tear trail glisten in the shifting sun between the branches of the trees.
Gently wiping the moist trail, he made his promise, "I will protect you, and I assure you no harm shall come to you."
Cullen lifted her in his arms and carried her back into the tower and to the First Enchanters study.
~O~O~O~O~
A tear fell from Deedoletts' shuteyes, while she still lay prone in the bedchamber within the Castle.
