So I'm skipping certain moments from the game because it will end up making this way longer than I want it to, but I'm creating and rewriting certain instances and throwing in a song here and there that I felt was appropriate and Asteria would sing. Anyway, this is a very long chapter, I couldn't find anywhere to cut it down, but I figured it was best to leave it alone.
I do not own Dragon Age: Inquisition or the songs.
Asteria decided that she didn't like when other elves stuttered and called her My Lady or ma'am. She was normal just like them. She was people too! She sat on her bed and ran her fingers through her long hair, pulling the knots apart and fixing her braid.
There was a new scar on her head, across her eyebrow but she didn't care. A new story to tell she supposed. She reached down to fix her boots and grimaced in pain. Asteria was pretty sure that there was a giant bruise on her side. She lifted her tunic and grimaced at the bruise on her lightly tanned skin. It was darker and larger than she anticipated; then again, Pride demons had giant fists.
She pulled it down and headed for the door. Cassandra wanted to talk to her. She hoped it wasn't anything bad. Her pink lips pulled into a frown as she remembered that Roderick wanted her sent to another city for trial and execution.
Asteria stepped out of the house and was greeted by humans. Humans everywhere. She was concerned that they would look at her as they had once before, but this time they did not. They bowed their heads to her and crossed their arms over their hearts followed by greetings of "Herald" or "Your Worship."
She offered them soft smiles before she headed for the Chantry. Her eyes followed the carvings on the wall as she looked around. It was not much different form the Elvhan ruins her people often visited. She wondered if the Dalish and the humans knew they weren't really much different in how they chose to worship.
Asteria stopped to stare at a statue of Andraste and she shivered under the woman's unmoving gaze. Andraste was maternal, it was carved into her face and her eyes, a soft look but there was a hardness in her eyes. It reminded her Mythal. They weren't very different after all.
Her ears picked up the sound of arguing and she followed it. She frowned at the arguing, but she wasn't one to spy. She pushed open the door and found Cassandra and Leliana were speaking with Roderick.
"You're awake." Leliana smiled.
"Yes, thank you for looking after me." Asteria bowed her head.
"Guards arrest her! She will be brought to trial." Roderick ordered.
Asteria met his angry gaze but said nothing, wondering where this was going.
"Belay that. Leave us." Cassandra ordered.
The two guards saluted her and left the room, closing the door behind them.
"You walk a dangerous line Seeker."
Cassandra slammed a book down on the table, "Do you know what this is, Chancellor? It is a writ from the Divine. I am invoking the Inquisition. We will close the Breach, we will find who killed the Divine, and we will bring peace back to Thedas."
Asteria felt pride swell up in her for knowing this woman.
"You'll regret this, Seeker. The Chantry will not support you." Roderick threatened as he stormed out of the room.
Asteria made a face behind his back before turning to Cassandra and Leliana.
"So, we're bringing peace to Thedas and closing the Breach?"
"We? You'll join us?" Leliana remarked.
The elf smiled and held up her hand and the mark flared up but it didn't cause her any pain, just tingles. "I do remember offering to help in any way I could to close the Breach. It's not closed yet, and I'm still here because of you and your aid. I'm not going anywhere yet."
Cassandra offered the elf her hand, "Then we're happy to have you."
Asteria watched as the Inquisition came into being. She met Solas and Adan and sat down with Varric to hear stories. She napped and she played in the snow when no one was looking. If the humans found her to be odd, they didn't say anything.
Her silvery blue eyes took in everything around her, as she studied the people she would be working with over the next few months. She spied on Leliana sometimes for fun, but the woman always found her. The elf smiled, it was her goal to sneak up on the devout woman eventually.
Cassandra had been very busy recently, she hadn't been out in the open unless she was beating training dummies. She didn't think that the Seeker noticed that she fixed them in the dead of night when she couldn't sleep.
There had been a new person at Haven, a woman in bright yellow that reminded Asteria of the sun. The woman had a heavy accent but a kind face. Asteria couldn't wait to meet her.
Her eyes followed her current target, the blonde man with the fur on his shoulders. She wondered if he had killed the beast himself. It would've been an interesting battle that she was sure of. He was nailing something to the Chantry doors. He walked with strength and patience, and there was a type of metal in his will that she admired about him. There was a pain too, something that ate at him but he dealt with it well. He was very interesting.
"See something interesting down there, Song?" Varric asked.
She smiled up at him, "Song?"
"You hum a lot, you know that?" He asked as he sat beside her.
"Papa used to say that all the time." Asteria answered with a soft look.
"You mention him quite a bit when we talk." Varric pointed out.
Asteria nodded, "He was the greatest person I've ever met."
They sat in a comfortable silence for a few moments before the sound of a horn went off. It pulled Asteria to her feet and she grinned at Varric, "Is it time?"
"You're awfully excited about this."
"I can't help it. I'm a part of something life changing, Varric." She beamed before offering him a hand.
He waved it away, "Get a move on. They're going to be waiting for you."
The elf smiled and she rushed off to answer the call. The dwarf smiled to himself, pulling out his notebook as he wrote a few more details down about Asteria.
Asteria stood on the Chantry steps, Leliana greeted her with a small nod as the blonde man and the bright woman also greeted her. Cassandra was the only one missing. Asteria's eyes picked her out of the crowd immediately, the woman walked with purpose and strength that others drew from-it inspired them.
"The Inquisition has begun." Cassandra informed the crowd and they cheered before them.
Asteria smiled at their cheers, understanding that this was their hope. She didn't notice that when she smiled, the cheers got louder.
"Come, we have much to discuss." Cassandra led the elf into the Chantry.
"Your hand is alright, you said that last time."
"Its fine Cassandra." Asteria remarked.
"Herald, welcome to the War Room." Leliana greeted when they entered the room.
Asteria looked around it, "Is there supposed to be fights going on in here?"
Leliana smirked, "No it's more like a council room, where we strategize."
The elf blushed at her ignorance, "Sorry."
"No need to apologize." Leliana remarked.
"Herald this is Commander Cullen, head of the Inquisitions army."
"Herald." He bowed his head in greeting.
His eyes were amber and they were just as strong as he was. She looked at him and saw ferocity and strength in those eyes.
"You have a strong spirit." She remarked quickly, catching him by surprise.
"What?"
"Your spirit, it's very strong." She offered him a smile, "You can fight through anything and come out better for it."
"I.."
Cassandra smirked, "That's what we've told him."
"Thank you." He stated quickly, gripping the pommel of his sword tightly.
"This is Josephine Montilyet, she will be our ambassador." Leliana introduced.
"Andaran asish'an, Herald."
Her eyes sparkled with excitement, "You speak elvhan?"
"Unfortunately that's all I know." Josephine admitted.
Asteria laughed, "It was still welcome. You shine like elgara."
"What?"
"The sun, I said you shine like the sun. I've never seen anyone wear the sun before."
"Oh thank you."
"I am Asteria Lavellan, I would prefer to be called Asteria, rather than Herald."
"You've heard them calling you Herald?"
"I have. Varric explained it to me. I understand that it is an honor among your people, and I carry it proudly, however, I would still like to be known as myself."
"You have no problem being called the Herald of Andraste?"
"Some of the Dalish do, but I see similarities between your Andraste and our Mythal. They carry the same air about them, and I will not disrespect her, for I would not expect you to disrespect Mythal."
This woman, Cullen thought, had no idea what she was doing.
"You're very interesting, Herald."
Asteria sighed in defeat, but didn't say anything.
"The Chantry is already calling you a heretic, and they refuse to support the Inquisition." Josephine stated.
"We knew this would happen. Its Roderick's doing no doubt." Cassandra growled.
"We need to close the Breach, Herald. I suggest you recruit the mages to assist you, they can help you power the mark to seal the Breach." Leliana remarked.
"I disagree, the Templars can help just as much."
"I don't think the Templars have the power to support the mark." Cassandra remarked.
"Enough, the decision can be made at a later date. Herald-"
"Asteria." She broke in a determined look in her eyes.
Leliana nodded, "Asteria, there is a Mother Giselle in the Hinterlands who wants to meet you. She could help us in regards to the Chantry."
"She wants to meet me? Why?"
"Probably wants to meet the Herald of Andraste and judge you for herself."
"Oh. Then I'll go to the Hinterlands, but not yet."
"You should go immediately." Leliana advised.
Asteria shook her head and reached for the end of her tunic and pulled it up, revealing the skin of her side to be a bluish purple that was finally taking on a yellow tint.
"This is going to limit what I can do for a while. I'd at least like to wait another day to see if the sensitivity goes away. I have bad luck with injuries like this. I'd probably end up snapping a rib when I trip over a pebble."
"Have the apothecary look at it. The sooner we see Mother Giselle the better. The Hinterlands are war torn, Templars and Mages are fighting and they don't care who gets caught in the middle."
Asteria's gaze fell on the map where the Hinterlands were marked.
"Can you send anyone to secure an area?"
"Of course."
"Alright, send them to secure an area and find Mother Giselle. I'll leave tomorrow, regardless of the bruise."
"Asteria, we also received a letter from Clan Lavellan, they claim that the Inquisition is holding one of their own hostage. Perhaps you'd like to send them something?"
Her clan was looking for her? She rushed over to Josephine and borrowed her quill and a piece of paper and wrote down a single line before signing her name and handing it to Leliana.
"Please see to it that this gets to them quickly."
"Of course."
Asteria smiled her thanks before leaving the War Room and heading out the Chantry doors into the nearby wilderness that surrounded Haven. She followed her own small trail until she found a small cavern and sat down, enjoying nature. She lay back and listened, the sounds of Haven were distant. Normally with winters like this, Nature was silent.
She could hear it sleeping though, hear the different dreams that nature had as winter continued on.
The elf sat up and pulled her tunic off and pressed the snow into her side, hissing at the icy bite as it numbed the pain. Definitely not a good idea, but worth it anyway; it would help a bit with the healing.
Asteria lay back in the snow; her hands cushioned her head as she entered a meditative state. Just a few minutes.
When her eyes opened again the sun was lower than she anticipated. The sky was already colored with pink and orange.
"Hey Song are you out here?"
She sat up and pulled her tunic on, "I'm here Varric."
The dwarf followed the sound of her voice, "There you are. You had Cassandra worried. She's ready to send out a search party. I told her to wait until I had a look around first."
She frowned, "Sorry, I didn't mean to be a bother."
"Come on. I hear we head out for the Hinterlands tomorrow."
"It'll be fun."
"With you of course it will. So I have a question for you."
"What?"
"What does 'on my father's wings' mean?"
A broken look passed over Asteria's face for a moment before she faced him, "My father died a few years ago. He always told me that I would do great things and when he died, I realized that those great things he talked about, I'd have to do them without him. I am my father's daughter, my Keeper has told me. I carry him with me and everything I do, I do with him to help guide me. It helps me feel like he's still with me."
"I'm sorry for prying."
"It became a sort of motto for me. Does that sound silly?"
Varric looked up at the vulnerable elf and smiled, "No it doesn't."
The sound of clashing swords captured her attention and she looked up to see Commander Cullen working with the troops.
The dwarf noticed, "Got an eye for Templars, Song?"
She took note of the teasing lilt in his voice, "There's something about that one."
"That's what all the ladies say." He teased, "Why don't you go talk to him?"
"I can?"
"Of course, go give it a shot."
Asteria gave him a wary look before steeling her resolve and approaching the Commander.
"That's a shield in your hand, soldier use it! If this were a real fight you'd have lost your head."
His commanding voice washed over her and she shivered slightly at the power behind his words. She smiled when she realized that she had been right; he was very strong.
"Your strength even transcends sound." Asteria remarked, taking the commander by surprise.
"Herald, I wasn't expecting you."
"I just came to see how everything is going. Very few elves actually fight like humans do, with swords and shields. We're too small but we make up for it in speed. It's why most of my kind are archers or rogues."
"Our soldiers are coming along, some of them are very green, but they're learning. We get more recruits every day. Haven wasn't meant for this kind of thing, but we're making it work." He explained, leading her through the training ground.
"You do a very good job." She praised, watching the soldiers practice.
"I do my best. We need to prove that the Inquisition has strong-I'm sorry, I don't think you came here for a lecture."
She gave him a playful smile, "If you have one prepared, I wouldn't mind hearing it."
Maker's breath she was beautiful. He'd known that for a while, he'd seen her wandering around Haven enough times to notice. Long raven hair, pink lips, bright silvery blue eyes that shined like stars. And now a smirk that hinted at a playful side she didn't often show.
He cleared his throat when he realized he was staring.
"I'm sure you have a lot to do, Herald."
Asteria shook her head, "Not really."
She turned back to the soldiers giving him more time to study her.
He could barely make out the tips of her ears beneath the waterfall of raven hair. He looked up when a scout brought him paperwork.
Asteria glanced at him through the corner of her eye. He was taller than her, bigger too. His amber eyes were different in the light of the setting sun, at the right angle, they seemed to glow. He reminded her of a big cat.
"A lion."
He met her gaze, "What?"
She giggled, "You, ma'falon, are a lion."
He watched her as she walked away with a smile towards Varric who had been watching them.
Maker's breath, that damn dwarf was up to something.
Varric winked at him as they walked away.
Asteria woke before the sun the next morning, excitement bubbling with her gut at the thought of going to the Hinterlands. She'd never been there, but she always dreamed that she'd get to see more of Thedas than what her clan traveled. They usually visited the same ruins each time, not that it bothered her. She enjoyed exploring and learning new things; although there wasn't much to learn from the decrepit ruins.
She stepped out of her temporary house and caught sight of Knight-Captain Rylen heading off into the forest nearby. Her silver eyes danced around camp and noticed that no one else was awake yet. She silently followed him, eager to test her skills against the talented former Templar.
Asteria leapt from tree to tree, following him on his patrol. She had seen him helping the Commander with the troops and she had noticed that the two were friends. That made her smile. Both men, while former Templars, had treated her with nothing but respect, and she suspected that would be true even if she was not the Herald of Andraste.
She crept along silently, careful not to catch his attention. He walked all the way around the forest towards the dock that stood over the frozen lake. Asteria stopped on the biggest branch that stretched over the trail he had taken. She leaned against the tree, turning her attention to the sky. The sun still had not begun to rise.
"Do you enjoy the morning air?" She asked, breaking the silence.
"Some habits are hard to break, I used to take early patrols when I was a Templar. I liked the morning dew and watching the sunrise. It also allows for self-enlightenment." Rylen answered.
She nodded in understanding but said nothing.
"I'm surprised you followed me out here."
Asteria gave him a half smile, "I enjoy surprising people. I also like getting to know people and the best way is to watch them."
"You've been spending a lot of time with Lady Leliana." He remarked playfully.
She snorted lightly at him earning a low chuckle.
"Aren't you heading to the Hinterlands today?"
Asteria nodded as she stretched, pleased to see that her side didn't hurt anymore. "Yes but that doesn't mean I can't explore before I leave."
"So what did you learn about me?" He asked as he approached the tree she was standing in. He watched as she gracefully landed beside him and they began the walk back to Haven.
"That you are a good man, Knight-Captain. You are determined, intelligent, honorable, you have the qualities of a leader and you are trustworthy-and you care about your friends. "
He stared at her, "You got all of that from one morning walk?"
"Yes and no. I watch everyone as they journey around Haven. I find it is easier to learn about human behavior that way. Varric tries to help me, but I can't take half of what he says as truth, ever the story teller he is." She laughed. "You're friends with the Commander and you are kind to the soldiers under your command. In your own way, you inspire them as much as he does, and that in turn inspires others."
"We're leading those men in battles, we have to inspire them." Rylen remarked, in awe of the woman.
She nodded, "Men like you and the Commander inspire more than just your soldiers though, and that makes me proud to know you both."
They came into sight of the soldier's camp as the first rays of sunlight began to clear the mountains. Cullen was among them, preparing the soldiers for their morning training.
"I don't think I have ever been so highly thought of by those who weren't following us." Rylen finally replied.
Asteria gave him a final smile, "Have a good day, Knight-Captain."
He approached his Commander as his eyes followed the elven woman as she ran up towards Haven.
"What happened?" Cullen asked.
Rylen shook his head, "Commander, I don't think any of us have any idea how to deal with the Herald."
"Did something happen?" He asked worriedly.
"No, she followed me on my morning walk. You know what she said?"
"You know I hate gossip." Cullen remarked to his old friend.
"She says we inspire her. Maker's breath, you'd think she didn't know she was our inspiration." Rylen laughed good naturedly, finally realizing that Asteria truly was something special.
"She said that?"
"She did. Said she was proud to know us both. That woman is going to turn Thedas on its side and I don't think anyone will mind."
Cullen wasn't sure what to think about Rylen's remark, until he realized that his second in command had said that with utmost respect for the Herald.
The Hinterlands were war torn, and that broke her heart a little. She didn't like the fighting and the blood, and she liked it less when innocent people were involved. Her eyes fell to the young man beside her. He had approached her secretly and asked for her help to find his two younger brothers. It appeared that the prejudices of adults had poisoned two young men and they had gone off into the forest, leaving the older brother worried that he'd lose what was left of his family.
She took note of the sky; it would be getting dark soon.
"I won't give up, even when it's dark." He replied.
Asteria looked at him, "I wouldn't expect you to. We'll find them soon. Why are they fighting?"
"My youngest brother, Mikel, was born with magic. My parents were always afraid we'd have to send him to a Circle, but he always controlled it and he never had a problem with demons. Since the rebellion and the war, it's been chaos. It didn't help that mom and dad were caught between a Templar and mage fight that got them killed. Now Tabin wants to become a Templar and he plans on turning Mikel in so he can keep an eye on him, but the Templars around here are killing anyone they think is a mage. They've been at each other's throats for weeks and it seems like it's finally blown up. I can't lose them, Herald."
"I'll help you find them and see if we can sort this whole thing out. Also, you can call me Asteria."
Her ears picked up the sound of fighting and she looked at the young man beside her before pointing him in the direction it was coming from.
They rushed through the forest until they reached a clearing where two young men were fighting. Asteria didn't hesitate; she marched right up to them and grabbed them by their ears, dragging them apart from each other.
"Calm now, da'lens, stop your fighting."
"Ow!"
"Let go."
She smirked at them, "Now I know why some human mothers do this."
"You idiots, I've been looking all over for you!" Colin yelled.
"Knock it off Colin, this isn't going to work anymore." Tabin yelled, pulling out of Asteria's grip.
"I won't go to a Circle! I won't go to the Templars!" Mikel yelled.
"Knock it off, all three of you." Asteria ordered, giving the three a stern glare. "It's getting late and this territory is dangerous regardless of being a mage or Templar. The warring factions here do not care who gets caught in the middle. So, one of you go collect fire wood and the other go with Colin to collect water, I'll get food. Remain quiet and meet here before dark."
Asteria was glad to know that they had followed directions, although there was a very tense silence around camp. Colin was desperately trying to get his younger brothers to see reason. She cast a fireball on the pile of wood Tabin had brought back.
"You're a mage." He stated.
"I am also Dalish, see the ears?" She pulled her hair back to show them.
"What's a Dalish elf doing in the Hinterlands?"
"She's the Herald of Andraste, show some respect." Colin growled.
"The Herald is a Dalish elf?"
"In the flesh." Asteria remarked, "You may call me Asteria unless you prefer Herald."
"Did you grow up in a Circle?" Mikel asked.
"No, I grew up with my clan. I've never been in a Circle but I've heard of them."
"Have you ever met Templars?" Tabin asked.
"I now know several. The Commander of the Inquisition's forces is a former Templar, as is his Knight-Captain, they're very good soldiers and good men overall. You'd like them."
"You don't have a problem with Templars?" Mikel asked.
"I don't have a problem with anyone that isn't abusing their power or position." She remarked, offering each brother a piece of ram that she had killed. "I don't understand why you two are fighting."
"He's mage."
"He's a Templar."
"So?"
"What do you mean so? There's a war going on."
"It's not really a war, more like a big tantrum being thrown. The Commander has nothing nice to say about the Templars who are terrorizing this land and harming innocents. I have nothing nice to say about the mages who do the same."
"What does the Inquisition plan to do?" Colin asked.
"The Inquisition plans to bring peace to Thedas. My friends and I have wiped out what factions we could and I've closed a few rifts, so there will be fewer demons." Asteria answered. "Our biggest threat comes from the Breach, it's not sealed, but it's stable. I'll have to have another go at it soon. Our plan is to continue throwing me and my mark at it until it kills me."
"It could kill you?"
"Of course it could. Anything like the Breach requires a great amount of sacrifice from all parties involved. Which is why I'm concerned, with something so large like the Breach as a concern, that you two are so intent on destroying what's left of your family."
Colin looked at his brothers, they both appeared torn, but neither of them looked sorry for the fighting. Despite how hard he tried, he couldn't stop the tears from falling; he'd lose his family before the night was even over.
Asteria frowned, there was so much pain in these young men, two of them weren't even adults yet, but they were trying to make adult decisions in a world that was stealing their childhood. Her heart ached for them.
(Great Spirits from Brother Bear)
When the earth was young
And the air was sweet
and the mountains kissed the sky
In the great beyond with its many paths
Man and nature lived side by side
They stared at her in awe as her voice carried over them. She waved her hands over the fire and it roared with new life. Figures began to appear in the smoke, traveling all around them. It took the form of mountains and eagles, rivers and fish, and plains of wolves and rams.
In this wilderness of danger and beauty
Lived three brothers
Bonded by love
Their hearts full of joy
They ask now for guidance
reaching out to the skies up above
Colin watched as the fire created three figures and he followed them as they moved around in the air. Two of them were constantly fighting but one of them was always breaking up the fights. He looked at the Herald as she sang, her eyes focused on him.
Great spirits of all who lived before
Take our hands and lead us
Fill our hearts and souls
With all you know
Show us that in your eyes
We are all the same
Brothers to each other
In this world we remain
Truly brothers all the same
Mikel stared in awe. He wondered if he'd ever be able to do the magic the Herald was casting. Her words washed over him and he felt guilty for fighting with Tabin. He loved his brothers, which were never in question. He was scared of himself, of his own power, and when Tabin said he wanted to be a Templar, that scared him even more.
Give us wisdom to pass to each other
Give us strength so we understand
That the things we do
The choices we make
Give direction to all life's plans
Tabin watched his brothers. They were staring at the Herald in wonder, watching as her magic continued conjuring images from the flames and smoke. They looked happy. He frowned. They had been happy with mom and dad.
The war took his parents from them.
Mikel wasn't bad. He was just young and new with his magic.
To look in wonder
At all we've been given
In a world that's not always as it seems
Every corner we turn
Only leads to another
A journey ends, but another begins
Scout Harding followed the sound of a song, wondering who in the Maker's name would be singing. She stopped short when she found a clearing with the Herald singing! She stopped behind a tree and listened.
She counted the three young men and wondered why the Herald was out with them.
Oh Great spirits of all who lived before
Take our hands and lead us
Fill our hearts and souls with all you know
Show us that in your eyes
We are all the same
Brothers to each other
In this world we remain
Truly brothers all the same
Brothers all the same
Asteria studied the brothers before her, hoping that she had reached them in some way. She reached out to poke at the embers, not wanting to cast another fire spell for now.
"My papa once told me a story, about three brothers. They cared very deeply for one another, were happy helping their people with hunting or foraging, whatever they needed; they worked together. The youngest brother was eager to be a man, he looked up to his brothers, and couldn't wait to be on even footing with them. He had a coming of age ceremony soon, and was eager to get there. In his hurry, the game they hunted was not properly stored to keep bears and wolves from it. So in their absence, the food was taken. After his ceremony, he and his brothers discovered that his share of the hunt was missing, and it had been taken by bears. The second brother got mad and said many hurtful things, causing the young brother to take off alone in search of the bear. "
She waved her hand and the flames took shapes again, this time a bear and a young hunter.
"The brother cornered the bear, and it fought back. His older brothers heard his cries and watched him fall off a cliff. The oldest brother rushed to help him, unaware that the bear was still up there. When the bear attacked, the second brother drew its attention away, but the bear forced him to slip on the ice and he fell down a crevice. The oldest brother rushed to distract the bear so that the youngest could save the other. Both brothers kept slipping and the bear grew tired of the oldest brother.
Wounded and desperate, the oldest brother noticed that the ice beneath them was cracking. He drove his spear into the ice and pulled, forcing it to break even more. The ice shattered, taking him and the bear to the river below. The bear came out unharmed, but the oldest brother did not survive."
"Why are you telling us this?" Tiban demanded.
"The story is not done, and it's rude to interrupt." Asteria remarked dryly, giving him an unamused look.
Scout Harding muffled her chuckle, not wanting to interrupt.
The elf mage shook her head, "Both brothers were angry but who were they to blame?"
"The bear." Mikel remarked quickly.
"The younger brother." Tiban answered.
Colin frowned at their answers but did not offer his own. Asteria continued.
"The second brother blamed the youngest, and the youngest angrily went off in search of the bear he blamed for taking his brother away. So he hunted down the bear, and the second brother, with regret and guilt in his heart, started after him, refusing to lose the only family he had left.
The younger brother chased the bear to the highest mountain where they fought for their lives. Eventually, the youngest brother succeeded, and he killed the bear-but it did not bring his brother back. The spirits reached out to the brother, and he was frightened."
Smoke circled the young brother before it erupted into light and flame around him, surprising the trio.
"The guardian spirits reached out to the youngest brother, and from the Fade, came the oldest brother, with disappointment shining on his face. He had taken a life in anger and vengeance, and it had not solved anything. So the oldest brother pulled the youngest into the light and the Fade and the spirits turned the youngest into a bear, so that he may learn his lesson.
The second brother, arrived on the mountain top in time to see a bear wake, but find no sign of his brother. In a rage, the brother attacked the bear, not knowing it was the last of his family. In order to live, the youngest had to fight back, and he did, but he made sure not to harm his brother.
The youngest would escape and end up traveling with a bear cub in search of his mother, and their journey would take them to the highest peak where the veil was weak and the spirits would be found. The entire way, second brother would be hunting him. Eventually, youngest brother discovered that the bear he killed, was the cub's mother, and guilt would weigh heavy in his heart. The young brother's vengeance had stolen a mother from her child far too soon, regardless that the mother was a bear.
The brother went to the top of the mountain, and second brother followed. The two began to fight once more, the youngest desperate not to hurt his brother and the other intent on killing. The young bear cub interfered and before second brother could attack the cub, younger brother attacked, defending the cub with his own life. The Fade opened up and the spirits came through, a powerful spirit transformed the youngest brother into his regular form and the second brother was in shock as the oldest brother formed from the spirit. They were united once more.
The second and youngest brother let go of their anger and they reconciled, apologizing for everything, not wanting to lose each other. The young cub had no one, now that the youngest brother was himself once more, however, the youngest brother knew that no one else could fix the mistakes he had made but himself. So he apologized to his brother, stating he would leave him once more, because he had to raise the cub. Oldest brother was proud and second brother acknowledged that it was the right thing to do, so the spirits turned him into a bear once more.
Together, as bear and brother, they said goodbye to the oldest brother, knowing that even in the Fade, he would be watching out for them as he had always done. The second brother returned to his people, and told them all of what happened as a lesson for the future generations. The younger brother would return to the people as a bear, and they would celebrate his coming of age before he and the young cub returned to the wilderness."
"Then what?" Mikel asked.
Asteria laughed, "What do you mean, then what?"
"That's it?"
She gave him a dry look, "I think you missed the point of the story."
"The brothers loved each other no matter what, and even though they all took different paths, they were united anyway, and while the older brother was gone, he was always watching out for his family." Colin remarked.
"That's part of it."
"They became men." Tabin added.
Asteria gave him a small smile and waited for him to continue. He groaned, "Neither the younger nor the second brother were men yet, despite their ages. Only the oldest was wise enough and mature enough to be considered one; he gave his life for his brothers. The other two needed to learn and that was the point of the journey. The youngest had to become a bear in order to become a man, and the second had to hunt down the bear his brother had become and then watch the transformation in order to also become a man."
The Herald gave him a proud smile and Tabin blushed under her gaze, pleased with himself for figuring it out.
"Is it a true story?" Mikel asked excitedly.
"That's up to you to decide. I do not believe it is actually a story of my people, but papa told it to me, and he never lied to me, therefore, I believe it to be true in some way. There is definitely a lesson to be learned from the brothers." Asteria answered.
The three brothers sat in silence for a few moments, taking in her words.
"Are you always like this Herald?" Tabin asked curiously.
She smiled, "I haven't been with the Inquisition long enough, but I'm sure in a few weeks, Scout Harding and the others would be pleased to answer you, isn't that right Scout Harding?"
Harding would never know how the Herald knew she was there, but she would never forget that moment. She entered the clearing, "Of course your Worship."
"How long have you been there?" Colin asked.
"Since the song." Harding answered.
"I hope Cassandra didn't send out a search party."
"I'm afraid she did, Herald, but I'm sure that since it got dark they probably returned back to the Crossroads."
"Is it best to remain here for the night or return to the town?"
"Staying the night is best. No one else found you yet." Harding answered.
"Alright, well it's off to bed with you three. You can talk some more in the morning."
Cassandra was looking over a map and preparing to send some scouts out to find the Herald, wherever the woman had ended up.
Varric wasn't even bothering to pay attention, he was just waiting for Song to walk back into town; she wouldn't abandon the Inquisition. He smirked when he saw her approach the Crossroads with three young men in tow and Scout Harding.
"You can stop worrying Seeker, the Herald has returned."
Cassandra turned abruptly and sighed in relief when she saw Asteria.
"The Herald has returned!"
"Welcome back Herald!"
"You have a way of making an entrance, Song." Varric teased.
Asteria grinned at him, "I hope I didn't make you worry too much."
He laughed, "You failed at that spectacularly."
"Herald, you disappeared on us, we had no idea where you were! Something could've happened to you!" Cassandra scolded.
The raven haired elf gave the Seeker an apologetic look, "Sorry to make you all worry Cassandra." She turned her gaze onto the three young men, "Someone asked for the Herald's assistance, and I couldn't refuse." She playfully ruffled the youngest one's hair and he scowled at her, making her laugh.
"And these young men?"
"Three brothers, who would've lost each other had I not helped them out. I won't take off like that again, Cassandra." Asteria remarked.
"I hope not. The Grey Warden arrived while you were gone, and I'll have to write to Haven immediately. I alerted the others of your disappearance, they should be notified." Cassandra replied.
"Good, then I'll take Blackwall with me to speak to Master Dennett and you can write those letters." She turned her attention to Scout Harding, "See to it that these three get some food and anything else they need. I'll check on them when I return."
"Yes your Worship."
"Be good boys!" Asteria waved as she went to collect Blackwall.
Varric and Solas followed her, the former laughing while the latter smirked.
She caught their expressions, "What are you two going on about?"
"Nothing." Solas smirked.
"You've got one hell of a fan base already, those three are wrapped around your little finger." Varric replied snarkily.
"They're three young brothers who needed help, what was I supposed to do? Let them lose each other?" She asked curiously.
"It is good that you helped them, it will endear you to more people and they will want to join our cause." Solas corrected.
"I did it because it was the right thing to do."
"Even more reason people will become endeared to you." The apostate added.
"I have money that says those three will join the Inquisition as soon as they're able." Varric smirked.
"Whatever you say." Asteria remarked as Blackwall fell into step beside her.
"Say Hero, take a look at those three boys with Scout Harding."
Blackwall gave the dwarf a skeptic look but did as he asked, "They're hardly boys, the two taller ones should at least be young men."
"Right, what are they doing right now?"
"Glancing in this direction, why?"
"I've got money that they join us because they respect the Herald."
Asteria threw her hands up in the air in defeat muttering Elvhen curse words under her breath.
"I'd say you're right."
"Oh don't encourage him!"
At Haven:
"We should send more scouts to look for her."
"I can't believe she's gone off on her own, especially with so many mages and Templars running around."
A raven flew through the window, a scroll on its wing.
"Cassandra has sent us another message." Leliana remarked quickly removing it from the raven.
"Perhaps they found the Herald!" Josephine remarked.
"It seems our Herald has a way with the people. She was approached by a young man who asked her to help him find his quarreling brothers, one of whom is a mage, and the other who wishes to be a Templar. She went with him and returned with the brothers and Scout Harding this morning. I'm not sure what happened out there, but she is safe and on her way to see Master Dennett about the horses. Let us hope that she does not make this a habit."
Josephine shook her head, "She disappeared to help a family. It seems our Herald is very caring, that is good. It will endear her to the people."
"She does have a habit of wandering off though, let's hope she actually takes others with her next time." Cullen remarked.
Leliana smirked, "Three brothers? How interesting."
"How is that interesting?" Cullen asked, not seeing where she was going with this.
"If they're of age, they'll most likely join the Inquisition."
Josephine giggled, finally catching Leliana's meaning, "We'll have scores of people signing up then."
"Maker's breath, are you saying those young men would join us because they have a crush?" Cullen demanded.
"You tell us, Commander, you were their age once." Leliana teased.
"Leliana you know I was already serving the Chantry and well on my way to completing my training!" Cullen yelled.
The other two advisors broke into giggles at his expense.
'Maker give me strength.'
Wow that was long. Anyway, that's Asteria for you. Let me know what you think!
