Chapter 36) Stranger

Cleon POV


"I see. So little Tamlen has grown up and married Lyna," Zathrian chuckled, clearly pleased. "Soon they'll have da'len of their own."

"Oh, Creators, I don't think I could deal with a second either of them," I groaned, shaking my head. Zathrian had urged me to walk with him through the forest again, as was his habit whenever our Clans were close enough to speak. Sometimes, it felt like he talked more to me than Mathariel. "I'm going to be stuck babysitting."

"You're going to enjoy every minute of it, and you know it." I made a face anyway and he laughed, the sound echoing off the trees. "You should think of proposing to Merrill. I've seen the looks you two exchange."

"M-maybe another time?" My voice was definitely squeaky, and I knew I was turning pink. "I still have much to learn."

"You always do, Cleon." His voice was soft, and I wondered if he was thinking of his own family, long gone. "But don't let yourself miss any opportunity. Sometimes, life moves unexpectedly, and the Creators… strangely cruel."

"…I'll keep it in mind." He smiled at me, and I smiled back before finding an easy distraction. "Ah, a wolf?" To my surprise, Zathrian immediately glared at the white wolf hiding in the shadows. It seemed to glare right back, snarling, and I thought I saw brown on its legs, wrapping around its legs. Had it gotten into mud? "Zathrian?"

"Ah, forgive me." He smiled wryly. "I have a… difficulty with wolves. You never know when Fen'harel is pulling a trick." Though I was still confused about what was with the wolf, Zathrian nudged my shoulder and urged me to move. I swore it was boring a hole through my back, though."Now then, tell me more about the wedding. Were there any mishaps?"


"I do not know what to be more surprised about, da'len. That you have appeared so unexpectedly, or that you come not on behalf of Marethari, but of the Grey Wardens." I felt myself relax at Zathrian's soothing voice. It was so nice to hear something so familiar. If only for a moment, I could pretend everything was someone else's problem. "Tell me," he gently urged. We waved at the other elves as we passed, but continued to walk the perimeter of the camp. "How did such a thing come to pass?"

"It's… a bit of a tale," I sighed, shaking my head. It also felt so long ago. Strange. "The short version is that Tamlen was over eager, I didn't stop him, and we both paid severe consequences." Namely Tamlen was dead, and I was a glorified dead elf walking. "And now I'm here." With strange companions that Lanaya took charge of and Creators, please don't let any of the Clan hurt them.

"I should've known Tamlen was involved." His smile was kind and fond, even if his voice was exasperated. "How is Lyna?"

"She was…" I trailed off, trying to think on how to answer. "Well, she's six or seven months pregnant, and she was upset at my departure."

"A mother to be always has stresses." He gave me a stern look. "I trust you left her in safe hands." I matched his look with one of my own and he smiled. "Of course. Forgive me, Cleon. You know I am fond of you both." Fond and overprotective, but in a not-so-smothering fashion. It was strange, but I was used to it. "Now, I am curious as to what brought you here. If it is simply news of the Blight, it isn't needed. I sensed its corruption and warned Marethari." Ah.

"Well, it is the Blight, but not a warning." I pulled out the treaty from my pack and handed it to him. "It seems our ancestors swore to aid the Wardens?"

He was silent as he read the paper, frowning deeply before suddenly chuckling. "Oh, now I remember this." He handed it back to me. "I had just become a First when my predecessor signed it." …Sometimes I forgot that Zathrian was incredibly old. Then again, I also often forgot he had to be a First at some point. "Unfortunately, I am… not certain on my Clan's ability to uphold it." Huh?

"What do you mean, Zathrian?" I bit the inside of my mouth to keep from snapping about how much we needed this help. This was Zathrian. I adored and looked up to him. "It's…"

He rested a hand on my shoulder to stop my words. "Hush. Listen." I took a breath and closed my eyes to better obey. Immediately, I heard muffled screams of pain and shuddered. "And now that you have fair warning…" He gently nudged me towards a curtained off area. "This is why."

I nearly gagged as I stepped through the curtain. Elves all laid up in cots, twisting in pain, groans easily heard even though gags and pillows muffled them. Wounds like looked like a beast had gnawed and torn. Some even had limbs removed, and they sobbed with phantom pains.

It took me a couple of seconds to realize Aiden and Morrigan were also there, in the far corner. Morrigan was crushing herbs, lips thin and eyes narrowed in concentration. Aiden was carefully picking up the wounded, so that other elves could change out their blankets.

"It seems some of your comrades decided to help." I turned back to Zathrian, who watched all the injured with pained eyes. "We came here a month ago," he told me, not even glancing my way. "We are always wary of the dangers in the forest." Bears. Rabid wolves. Sylvans. Trees suddenly cracking and falling. Corpses. The list went on and on. "But we didn't expect werewolves to ambush us." Were… wolves…? I barely knew of them from Hahren Paivel's stories. They were legends. Why were they here? "They were driven back, but… well, you can see the cost." Essentially, there were no warriors here. "I will send a messenger to Clans I know to be nearby, Cleon." And, logically, I needed to leave to go to the others. I knew that. "But even with our magic and healing skill, all that can be done is delay the inevitable." But I… I…

"Can I help?" My voice was soft and fragile. I felt like a da'len, and I spoke to the ground. "Is there…?" I wanted to help. I wanted to help so badly. And not just because this was a Clan I grew up with, not just because these were Dalish. I… needed to help. I needed proof that I could do something, that I could save something. Actually save, not just buy time, like what we did in Lothering.

"The affliction is a curse that runs rampant in their blood." I had never wanted to know a blood mage so badly in my life. Maybe they could fix it! "The only thing that could help them must come from the source of the curse itself, and that…" He sighed, shaking his head. "That would be no trivial task."

"We are Wardens, elder." I had to bite back a yelp as Aiden suddenly joined the conversation. For once, he was standing tall, easily showing how he was taller than even Zathrian, and he looked the Keeper straight in the eye. Why was he not like this all the time? "I think it'll be a lesser task than defeating the Blight," he continued, ignoring me as I gawked. Even with the blood and sweat staining his shirt, he looked like a hahren. Elspeth and I made a good choice, making him leader. "So, what is it?"

"I…" Zathrian sighed again, and nodded. "Within the forest dwells a great wolf we call 'Witherfang'." I couldn't help but frown. I had never heard of this 'Witherfang' before. "It is from him the curse originates, and through his blood that it spreads." And, again, I was longing for a blood mage. Even though everything Dalish lore said about it defined it as evil and dangerous. Clearly, everything had messed up my head. "If he is killed, and his heart brought to me, I might be able to destroy the curse." Aiden's fists clenched, but he hid them behind his back. "This is a task too dangerous to entrust to anyone but my hunters, and…" And most of them were the victims. "More than werewolves lurk in the Forest. Its history is full of carnage and murder."

"Luckily, Cleon is with us." This was true. And if I could prove myself… "And Morrigan there grew up in the Korcari Wilds." Morrigan was the daughter of Asha'bellanar, and nothing was scarier.

"I see." Zathrian smiled at last. "Ma serranas, da'len. I shall arrange for aravels for you and your companions." Aiden looked confused, but nodded when I did. I'd explain to him later the dangers of being in the Forest after dark. "Until later, then."

"He reminds me of Valendrian," Aiden murmured, watching him leave. I thought of the meeting I had with the Alienage Hahren and nodded. Zathrian was older and more stern, but I could see where he was coming from. "But still, this is all very strange." Confused, I looked to Aiden and found him actually frowning in contemplation. "There are no children among the injured." Huh? "Ah, sorry, um…" Aiden shifted awkwardly as I stared, but finally mumbled, "he said ambushed, yes? So, logically, there should be some non-hunters among the dead and injured, right? Like children?" I nodded slowly and he continued, "I suppose it's possible they were just killed, but…" I looked around and saw he was right. Zathrian would've mentioned if all the da'len were killed; he had no mercy for child-killers. "I just… thought that strange. If they're vicious, then shouldn't it have been everyone?" I had no idea how to answer that. "Then again, I don't know many stories about werewolves. Just some of what Valendrian talked about." He shook his head and rolled his shoulders. "Back to…" He grimaced at his sleeve, glaring at something, and walked over to the injured without another word.

I debated helping out, but I decided that it would probably be better for me to walk the camp and make sure everyone else was all right. Zathrian had pulled me away from them early, so I had no idea where the others were. So, with a heavy heart and a prayer, I left the injured behind.

Shrieks of laughter caught my ear almost immediately, and I walked towards the sound, needing something lighthearted after what I'd seen. To my surprise, though, I found Alistair in the middle of a group of da'len, easily swinging them around and lifting them high in play.

"You're good at that," I commented. Alistair turned and smiled at me, waving after he set the da'len down. "I'm… honestly a bit surprised." Sure, he was child-like sometimes, but da'len like them would've been taught by now to stay clear of shemlen for their own safety. Yet here he was, playing with them as if they'd known him forever.

"Oh, it's not hard," he laughed, waving the words away. "I just think of what I'd have liked to do as a kid. Surprisingly, most kids enjoy it." I couldn't help but frown again at the implication his childhood had been abusive. I… just could not understand why anyone would want to hurt a child. "I'm just glad they're not glaring at me like the adults!" I bit back a sigh. My fellows could be so… wait, hold on. Not all that long ago, I would've been giving the fiercest glares. What… Creators, what was off with my head? "That elder fellow you were talking with. He was giving me a fierce one." Zathrian? Why would…? Oh, right.

"I… ask that you forgive him, Alistair." I hesitated, trying to think on how to explain. "Shemlen stole his children from him, long ago." That was… the most basic, way to say it. I had no right to explain everything that happened to his son and daughter. Shemlen were so incredibly cruel.

"Oh, no worries. I figured it was him being safer than sorry-er." He smiled only to suddenly jolt back. "Whoa!" Startled, I burst into laughter as I realized the da'len were trying to climb onto his back. "Easy, easy! I bruise!" But Alistair was laughing too, smile bright and eyes soft, as he knelt down and let one get on his shoulders. "Aaaand up we go!" The da'len shrieked in delight at being so high and Alistair continued to laugh, clearly pleased.

"It seems like we don't have to worry about him." I turned and found Elspeth at my side, watching Alistair play with the da'len. I noticed the fresh flower, a daisy, tucked behind her ear, and wondered if it was her daily flower from Alistair. "He was worried earlier about Zathrian's glares," she whispered. Glancing briefly at me, she continued, "I am no certain Zathrian has told us everything."

"He wouldn't lie to me."

"You don't need to speak a lie to hide the truth. Nuada and I do it all the time." She shrugged, looking away awkwardly. "Werewolves… haven't been seen or mentioned in Fereldan in centuries, Cleon. Something else has to be going on." …I didn't want to admit she was probably right. I just wanted something straightforward. Why couldn't I have that? Any more of this and I was going to feel like a stranger among the very people I'd called home!

"I see that none of this stopped Alistair from giving you a flower." The subject change, abrupt as it was, had its intended effect. She immediately ducked her head, shuffling her feet like she wasn't sure if she should run or not. "You know; if it makes you uncomfortable, you can say 'no'." Not that most shemlen knew the meaning of the word, but Alistair seemed to be the type to be more horrified at offending than anything.

"I don't… dislike it." She still wouldn't look at me. "I just… don't understand why." Hmm? "It's a lot of effort to find flowers when we're on the move. I'm definitely not worth it. So, I don't get why."

"Maybe he likes you?" No 'maybe' about it. By my eyes, he was trying to get to know and court her. Stoic Elspeth made it hard to decide if I should encourage or discourage him, though.

"Why?" She gave me a surprisingly bitter smile. "I've nothing but some above average features and a title." …Um… "Besides, you said it yourself. I'm much preferable when quiet." I winced as I heard those words thrown out so easily. "So, I'm baffled by him. But I don't dislike the flowers or jokes. They're… comforting."

"Smile more so that the rest of us know that." I'd just… let the rest of it be for now. Before I made it worse. "I think Morrigan is plotting to put frogs in his pocket or something for bugging you."

"She doesn't need to come up with strange excuses." She gave me another small smile, but there seemed to be no feeling in it at all. "I'm going to wander a bit more. Excuse me." That… this was a conversation to pursue. Later. After talking with insufferable Nuada.

"Oh, young Cleon!" Drawn out of my thoughts, I turned at the voice and smiled at Master Varathorn as he approached. "Just what I needed," he laughed, clapping me on the shoulder. A glance back showed me Elspeth had disappeared. Had… she'd seen him coming and run? "An apprentice just used too much heat and completely warped the wood for a project." Ouch. And if it was our prized ironbark, then it hurt all the more. "You'd think he was a durgen'len for how much he liked applying heat to poor living wood."

"I'm sure his actions bring him great sorrow," I replied, keeping my tone neutral and my smile polite. I had no doubt his apprentice was bending backwards trying to make things up. "Master Ilen is well, by the way." He and Master Varathorn were old friends. Many of our Clans' meetings resulted in them laughing in an aravel, complaining about apprentices. "Or he was when I last saw him."

"Yes, word spreads quickly. You're a Warden now." He studied my face, smiling softly. "Kieran would be so proud of you." It took me a minute to remember that was my father's name. The way everyone talked about him in the Clan, you'd think he didn't have a first name. Just 'your father' or 'Keeper Mathariel'. "I remember the last gathering he spoke at. He told all the Clans that we needed to learn the ways of the shemlen if we were to survive." He… what? I'd never heard that before. "He and Zathrian argued over it. But your father thought it better to use the old ways to build a new future, with new stories." He closed his eyes, to better remember. My head was still reeling at this new knowledge. "He spoke on how we don't know what the past was like. That we simply have pieces of stories, and our own, biased interpretations. He thought it hurt us more than helped. And that if we were to not suffer yet another devastating loss, we must work to cooperate." He opened his eyes again, and I just stared back. "Yes, he'd be very proud to see you as a Warden, I think. I'm sure he's smiling now." Was he? So far as an 'official' Warden, I'd killed some darkspawn, fled a battle, and saved a town that was going to fall within the month anyway. How was any of that worth pride?! "Sorry to talk your ear off. But I know how our people are when it comes to the dead." Remember always, but rarely speak. "I thought you should know, as someone who knew him."

"…Thank you." What else could I say? Even if I wondered just how or why he'd be proud, Master Varathorn did take the time to tell me of him. "I appreciate it." Mostly.

"Always so formal." He ruffled my hair and I automatically made a face. "Now, that shemlen girl you travel with." My mind automatically wondered what Morrigan and I wondered what he could want with her. "The one with leather armor and the bow?" And he was talking about Elspeth. Whoops. "Do you know where she got the bow?"

"I believe she said it was a gift." From a traitorous bastard, but I could appreciate holding onto a good weapon. "Why?"

"It looks elven." …Wha…? "Do you think she'll let me study it?" I… actually…

"I think so. But I'll ask. We're staying the night before leaving tomorrow."

"I know. Zathrian has asked me to ready supplies for you." Master Varathorn's smile took a distinctly worried edge. "Careful in the forest. Lanaya has talked of how loudly the trees cry." Oh. Great. Not what I needed to hear.

Sighing, I started walking again, smiling and waving to elves as I passed. Because of how small the camp was, it didn't take me long at all to meet the gathering circle, where all would sit and listen to stories. I even found Aiden there, seated next to the Hahren. And, judging by Aiden's awkward smile, I figured Hahren Sarel was doing one of his pointed lectures. Again.

"Hail, Hahren!" I called, stepping through the circle to make my way to Aiden's side. I just had to try and save him. "Well met!"

"Ah! Andaran atish'an, lethallin!" Hahren Sarel immediately greeted back, smiling at me. As he waved, though, I saw him wearing a bracelet I remembered his wife treasuring, and wondered if she'd been among the dead. "It is good to see you again." I smiled back as I sat next to Aiden, nodding as Aiden shot me a relieved smile. Yep. Doing it again. "How is Hahren Paivel? Is he still among the living?"

"He was when I last saw him." Though, considering events, I wasn't sure how much he wanted to be. "I'm convinced he's immortal."

"Ha! I would believe it." Hahren Sarel covered his mouth to muffle a laugh and Aiden shifted to lean on me a little. I noticed he was wearing a different shirt, and his hands scrubbed raw. "He, like Zathrian, was old even when I was but a da'len." He shook his head, and suddenly his eyes narrowed, an angry light sparking in them. Oh. Great. I was about to be a target. "Tell me, Cleon. Did the Wardens ask you to join to better gain our assistance?" Now, let's see. I could be polite. I should be polite. But the implied insult to Duncan, Duncan who died saving us, made my blood boil. So.

"No, I became one because Tamlen was an idiot, I didn't stop him, an elven artifact killed him and infected me with the Taint, and I had the choice of becoming a Warden or dying from said Taint, which slowly but surely paralyzed and numbed me, inflecting me with chills and fever simultaneously." I matched him, glare for glare, bristling as I growled. "If anything, my life was saved, twice over, by them." I wished I could've thanked him. There had been no time. I should've thanked him. "I will make allowance for your grief, and forgive you for the insult, Hahren."

"I think you made your point, Cleon," Aiden sighed. He tugged my ear and made me yelp and nearly fall. "Now, Hahren, you were telling about to tell us about the werewolves." Oh. Right. Important stuff.

"Ah, yes." Hahren Sarel nodded, anger fading for awkward sheepishness, and he tugged on the bracelet. Yes, she must've passed. A tragedy. I remembered them being much in love with each other. "Let us see…" he whispered, closing his eyes to remember. "The forest, as you must've heard by now, is a place where spirits more easily pass through from the Beyond." And thus sylvans! And other monsters. "According to the legends, one great spirit possessed the wolf that became Witherfang, who passed its curse of rage onto men, and created werewolves." Legends, huh? I wondered why this wasn't known by my Clan. And I knew it wasn't. After all the punishments I'd gotten from Hahren Paivel, I knew most of them by heart. "When shemlen lived here, the curse would spread anew to a few of them with each passing year, until they moved and fought even more battles to free themselves."

"So, likely, we're facing offspring of the original werewolves?" Aiden tilted his head back to look at the sky. "Then again, Valendrian mentioned that werewolves were long lived. Maybe a few of them are the original ones?" Now wouldn't that be a scary thought. "Oh, forgive me. Valendrian is… well, we call him our 'hahren', so I suppose he would be the city elf counterpart to you." Aiden's smile was quite polite, and I wondered what had been said to him prior to my arrival. "He teaches us stories, and keeps us safe. In that sense, I suppose he is like your Keeper." And Aiden's smile was all but screaming 'insult him if you dare'. Had… had I'd been this scary when Loghain implied Dalish had kings? Um…

"You good here?" I whispered to him, already slipped my feet under me. Aiden nodded, still smiling politely, and all I could think was how he and Elspeth were similar right now. "Wonderful. I'm going to check on everyone." He waved me off, and I promptly booked it, a little unsettled. I wondered… since we were among elves, was this closer to Aiden's actual personality? It would make sense for him to loosen his polite and servile nature when not surrounded by shemlen. Or maybe this was just him when he was angry? He had looked rather tranquil in that mansion when he was slaughtering everyone…

"Cleon." I automatically stiffened at the voice, but made sure to hold my ground as I turned to face Sten. I'd learned quickly he much preferred when we stood our ground. Meaning Alistair and Aiden annoyed him, while he liked Elspeth and me. "These are your people, yes?" he asked. Though he was talking quietly, his stance made me feel like I was able to get the lecture of the ages, if I was lucky. "Well?" Ah.

"In a manner of speaking," I answered carefully, making sure to keep eye contact. It was a bit of a strain on my neck, with him being so much taller, but I had no intention of annoying him and sparking a spar. He really liked sparring with everyone. I wondered if it was his clumsy way of training us. "They are Dalish, like me, but they are of a different Clan, so some of their traditions are different."

"Chaotic." Oh, he didn't know the half of it. "Regardless, I had a question about them." He nodded to some female hunters, chatting as they tended to their weapons. "Are they Aqun-Athok?" Are they… what? "Are they…" He paused, as if hunting for the word. "Someone who is assigned one gender, but is truly another?" Oh!

"You're asking if they are transgender?" Where was this coming from? "What brought this on?"

"They appear female." That… I was more or less certain they were? Most transgender males did not wear the female armor of the hunters. "Yet they fight." Huh? "They fight very well, in fact. Their aim is sure." I felt a little pleased at him complimenting them. "But they cannot be both." Uh… er… wait, Elspeth mentioned something like this…?

"Um… hang on." Desperately, I glanced around and luckily found Elspeth passing by. She glanced up and I waved her over. "Sorry, Sten, it's so normal to me that I'm not sure how to explain it properly." We'd go with that. "Elspeth, help me explain the female hunters?" Mostly because she knew his people better than me!

"Hmm…" She watched the huntresses for a bit before looking up at Sten. "Sten, the danger to the Dalish Clans is so great, that some women must take up arms to protect themselves," she explained. Sten nodded, and I hoped it was him accepting it. "That is all. You can see how small they are."

"Yes, dangerously so," Sten agreed. He looked over at the curtained off area, and I half-thought I saw concern in the stoic face. "One ambush crippled them." Yes, well… "This makes sense." And then he walked away. Okay then.

"I must admit," I began, watching him walk off. "I'm surprised they have a word for it." Given how he acted, I had assumed he'd have a low opinion of transgender people.

"I believe it is simply an extension of the 'you are born as you are, and you are foolish to strive for anything else' mentality they have," she murmured. She almost appeared thoughtful, even as I was confused. It was precisely because of that mentality that I'd thought he'd dismiss them. "Perhaps, to them, it is little different than two bakers having different sized hands." She shrugged, and I frowned a little. I… supposed that did make some sense. "I am merely speculating, mind. I'm simply glad he asked you, and not them."

"Yeah, Mithra might've tried to take an eye for that." I sighed, thinking of the last time someone tried to insinuate she couldn't be feminine because she hunted. Zathrian had a long talk with her about using violence to solve issues. "Thank you, by the way. So, females are expected to know self-defense?"

"From what I understand, yes." She smiled slightly. "That's why he doesn't think there's anything too odd with my knowing how to wield a bow." Oh, that reminded me.

"Master Varathorn wanted to take a look at your bow." She tilted her head slightly in confusion and I shrugged. "He thinks it might be elven. I can sit with you while he looks, if you want to ask him questions."

"I… think I would like that." This time, her smile was a bit wider. "Thank you. But, I must return to my errand."

"Yeah, thanks again." I smiled and turned away, hearing her walk off behind me. And, nearby, I saw another very familiar face. "Lanaya!"

"Oh, Cleon!" She smiled at me, setting aside some scrolls she was no doubt studying. Having fought for the title of First, she took her role as a learner very seriously. "I heard you were here," she told me, skipping to my side and bouncing a little on her toes. I wondered if it was a First thing, to have a bit of child-like enthusiasm when around friends. Merrill was like that too. "And a Wardens. There's a story about them!"

"And no doubt a few poems," I teased. She flushed and sulked at me. "It's not my fault you ramble out poetry at the slightest chance." I leaned away to avoid her half-hearted swat. "I don't want to disturb you long, but it seemed rude to not say 'hello' when you're right there."

"Yes, no doubt your aravels will be prepared." She sulked a little longer before looking up at me with concerned, thoughtful eyes. "Cleon? Might I ask a sensitive question?" I nodded without hesitating. Lanaya was always careful with her questions, and when she said 'sensitive', it meant she didn't want you to answer if it was too much. She was always a peacekeeper, even better than Marethari and Zathrian. "How are things with Merrill?" Of course, her question hit me like arrows. Sudden and surprisingly painful.

Still, she said nothing more as she waited for me to figure out a reply. And I did very much have to think of it, closing my eyes to better focus my thoughts. I… still loved Merrill. Very much, in fact. But, I wasn't very certain she'd like this… weaker me. This me who seemed unable to make a true difference. Not like when I was a hunter, and could protect the Clan so easily.

So… "We plan to talk about it when we next meet," I finally answered. I looked to the ground, hand brushing over the ring hidden under my gloves.

"I see." I made a face as she reached up to pet my head, and her laughter dispelled the awkwardness. "Thank you for answering." She smiled kindly. "I have those sweets you like in my aravel, by the way. Let's share and gossip later."

"Sounds good." Lanaya was always sweet like that. "Luck with the studying."

"Thank you! I need it." She scowled at the scrolls. "I really wish the rest of it was as easy to translate as 'eluvian'." And I felt myself reel. My stomach plummeted and I had the urge to be sick. No. No, no, no. I didn't want anyone near those thrice-damned things again! "Cleon?"

"Burn it." Her eyes widened and I shook my head. "No, I mean…" I took a shuddering breath to try and calm down. It only partially worked. "Don't go near one. They're not… they're not right anymore."

"I see." Her hand was on my back, rubbing soothing circles. "I will tell Zathrian. If you can, before you leave?" I knew what she was asking and slowly nodded. "Ma serannas, lethallin." She gently nudged me, in a manner so similar to Zathrian I had to laugh. "You should take the opportunity to nap. You won't get much time tonight!" Yeah, I knew how Clans could get.

"Until later, Lanaya." I smiled and waved, focusing on putting one foot in front of the other. I… didn't want to think of what Lyna or Merrill would think, after everything that happened. Ah, Creators, what was Tamlen thinking, watching from Falon'din's realm? Was he yelling at me? He probably was.

"Oh, Cleon~" A warm hand wrapped around my arm like a tourniquet and I looked to see Morrigan next to me. I supposed she was done with the infirmary. "Wonderful timing!" she purred, smiling at me and pressing herself ever so slightly into my side. "They say our accommodations are ready, so we need to move our things in." Ah, they were? Lovely.

"That's good," I murmured, looking up at the sky. The trees overhead swayed in the wind, playful and light. I found it strange. Typically, the forest would reflect the fortunes of the Dalish, the spirits sensitive to the emotions. What was it thinking? Why was it laughing? …Why was I even asking? I'd never thought much of such things before now. Was it the magical instinct in me screaming at something I couldn't see? "We'll be able to rest easily. They're sturdy."

"'Twill be cold, though, all alone." She pitched her voice to sound mournful, even pathetic. She was a good actress. I could see the smirk in her eyes.

"The Dalish make good blankets." I smirked back, unable to resist playing. She had fun reactions. And an adorable pout. "I'm sure you'll warm up fairly quickly."

"Perhaps you might help me?" She leaned a little forward, a habit she had, and I decided to hold still this time. Her smirk widened, as if she thought she was winning. "I happen to find you quite warm."

"Maybe next time." I stepped to the side, and laughed as she stumbled, scowling up at me. "No doubt I'll be kept up sharing gossip. Dalish love talking."

"I suppose." Her eyes glittered, and I had a feeling she was enjoying chasing, probably more than she thought she would. "I'll hold you to that 'next time'." I smiled, giving away nothing. "Later, Cleon."

But as she walked off, my smile faded, the good humor forgotten as I realized something. That… wasn't something I did much in the Clan, either. Playing like that. It came naturally, but I hadn't… when I courted Merrill, I had been more shy, more awkward. Why was I so different now?

Finally alone for the first time since arriving, I turned slowly, looking at the camp. I knew this place. I knew it almost as well as I knew the camps of my own Clan. I knew these people.

But as I stood there, seeing all the familiar pieces, all I could think was how much of a stranger I felt.


Author's Note: Yeah, sorry, no forest this time. I wanted to focus on Cleon and his inner thoughts here, since this is the first time he's reunited with any Dalish since leaving his Clan. And also show how slow the group is at the beginning to act, still being disoriented from the events at Ostagar. Sten's term for transgender people comes from Inquisition, during a conversation with Bull and Krem. Players of Inquisition might recognize the name of Cleon's father as the name of someone else. I am making the assumption that the treaties were made after the Fourth Blight, and Zathrian is canonically centuries old. MOST dialogue with the Dalish comes up with a Dalish Warden (the most interesting to me being the information on a Dalish!Warden's father; the part about speaking about learning the ways of humans is DIRECTLY from the game).

Next Chapter – Layla learns what's happened to the Tower in her absence