A/N Another chapter for the masses. :)

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I look around us as the crowd dissipates, "Huh, I guess I'm bet-" I'm cut off by the soft and pliant lips of a bard and gasp in surprise before pushing back lovingly, taking that moment for us.

She pulls back with a burning look in her deep blue eyes and my breath hitches. "That was wonderful! Oh I can't believe that just happened!" She smiles brightly and laughs, "Oh I'm so glad your here, otherwise I don't know if I could stand to be around everyone."

I shake off my shock and frown at her words, "You mean I'm the only thing keeping you from leaving?"

She shakes her head, "No! I just meant-" She sighs, "Erianne means well, and Alistair is cute in his own way, but we're just fumbling around in the dark without you there keeping everything in check. I seriously doubt any of us would have survived this long without you guiding us."

I blush at her compliments, but push them aside as I'm reminded of the night she was poisoned, "I'm not a Grey Warden Leli, not a leader. Erianne is and she's done well so far."

She shakes her head, "I didn't want to bring this up, lets just forget I said anything."

"It's impossible for me to forget Leli, not when things are already this bad!" I retort quietly, letting my frustration break through for a moment.

She takes a step back reluctantly, closing her mouth as Lanaya walks over to greet us, "You are indeed the First to Keeper Ledara." She smiles in amazement, "Andaran atishan lethallin, my name is Lanaya, and I am Zathrian's First." Her eyebrows raise in surprise and amusement, "I must say, your knowledge of The Creators is far more complete than my own, I cannot even begin to remember the oldest lore of our clan."

I incline my head in respect, and in gratitude for the distraction, "Ma serannas Lanaya, I am Darien, former First to Keeper Ledara of the Dorfarla Clan in the south. I had not thought to meet you when speaking to Zathrian." I blink as the words fly out of my mouth, once again I've revealed something about my past that I didn't even know myself.

This is starting to worry me...

I catch Leliana's surprised look out of the corner of my eye at the admission as Lanaya's expression turns to sorrow, "Oh, I had heard of the tragedy that had befallen your clan, ma serannas. I am sorry to intrude, but I am... a bit curious of the outside world. Do you mind if I ask you a question or two?" Her eyes gleam with the curiosity of a bright and young child.

I wearily smile at her innocence before looking apologetically to Leliana as this would take a while. She frowns slightly at losing time with me, but gets the message and huffs as she walks back to the crafter's Aravel.

I turn back to Lanaya, "Go ahead, always glad to help."

Lanaya's smile brightens even more, "I hear the human cities are very large; thousands of souls all packed together in their houses. Is that true?"

I nod, "Yes. Some are larger than the eye can see."

She looks away thoughtfully, "How very loud that must be with everyone talking all at once. I try to imagine those of our people living in such a place, surrounded by walls of stone and indifference. It... is a difficult thought."

I shrug reluctantly, "It isn't an easy life for many, that is true."

Argh! I want to tell her the wiki lore, but... Creators I just can't win lately!

She turns to me and tilts her head in question, "What about you? What is it like walking amongst humans?"

I think back to all the stares, the anger and fear listing in the air, saturating it with unease like urine in your drinking water. The dozens of silent murmuring about my race as if I was a disease to be avoided during flu season. Being snarled at or just ignored completely as I bought something at the market or drank at the tavern. The strange familiarity I felt about it drew back to my first life, being an outcast among your town isn't fun, but it gives you a new perspective on things. I finally clear my head with a small shake and look at her blankly, "It was... interesting, not as terrible as you'd expect, and worse in other ways you don't think about." I state cryptically.

She frowns at my words, "In what ways?"

I resist the urge to swallow uncomfortably, "Well, it's less cramped than you'd think and only a little bit noisy. Though the sanitation is terrible, people throw their waste into the streets and the entire place smells of feces and wet dog, but that's Ferelden for you." I shrug indifferently, I'd lived in worse places before, not by far, but worse overall.

Having your live threatened every moment you leave the house is much worse than sanitation problems in my book.

Her nose wrinkles in disgust, "Oh, you are both fortunate and have my sympathies then. It is said that one day, we will have a land of our own. We gather the ancient wisdom in preparation for this." Her face turns to sorrow, "I am sorry to ask, but were you able to save any artifacts from your clan? The Dorfarla were said to hold a sizable cache of lore."

I close my eyes, focusing on anything I had when I woke up here and lower my head as I find very little, "No, it was too late for that." I lie as smoothly as I could. "All I could grab was the Keeper's staff, and I was forced to sell it to survive years ago, I'm sorry."

She sighs in sorrow, "It was not your fault, I'm sure of it. I... have one more question, though I'm not sure you can answer it." She says nervously. "Do the humans... ever regret... what they did to us?"

I stay impassive as I remember a few times in Denerim where children were throwing rocks at the Alienage, trying to see if the elves will come out and stop them. I simply watched for a time before the guards surprised me by hauling them away and cleaning up after their mess. "I'd say that some give them respect, while others have simply forgotten. It's just history to them, which is not unreasonable. Afterall we live in constant struggle and it is difficult to focus on anything but that darkness."

She nods in what I hope is understanding, "Ah, how quickly they forget. A poet once wrote of them, before the fall of the Dales. 'Like dragons they fly, glory upon wings. Like dragons they savage, fearsome pretty things.'" Her voice wavers at the end, showing her slight disagreement with that statement.

I shake my head at that assumption, "That sums up a group of them, but not all. The Dalish may have not forgotten, but that is in part to their grudges against the humans in general when the Chantry itself was responsible for the exalted march against the Dales. It was a religious war, not a cultural one."

She sighs in equal part frustration and contemplation, "Yes, forgive me if I sound like a stereotype. I'm sure we have forgotten how to forgive as they have forgotten and moved on from the tragedy. Ma serranas, perhaps you have some questions of your own I may answer?"

I nod, remembering from the game how Zathrian was with questions, "Yes, what can you tell me of the Keeper?"

She folds her arms, guarding her Keeper's secrets, "Nothing you could not ask Zathrian himself. He is a very good man who has lost much. The Dalish are everything to him, and he would do anything to protect them."

Except give his life to end the curse.

"Lost much? What has he lost?" I ask in false curiosity, already knowing his story by heart.

Lanaya's gaze meets the ground as she seems split between telling the truth and trying to hide it, "He... lost his family. A very long time ago. I don't know the story, but I understand the circumstances were horrific."

I let my own suffering show just enough to prove my understanding as I look over across camp at Zathrian while he quietly tends to the wounded, "He seems scarred by that past, I hope it does not endanger the clan's future, ma serannas Lanaya, I must be going." I walk away.

"As you wish, Dareth Shiral." She says as I leave.

"Dareth Shiral." I mutter quietly, pushing down the guilt I hold from twenty three years of suffering. When am I going to pay for my mistakes? It's always someone else's problem it seems, but I can't run from it like before, that solves nothing.

I shake away my useless doubt and start back towards Varathorn's stand, muttering my discontent as I go. The closer and closer I come to being absolutely trapped by my own doubt, the further I see myself from of the group, then I finally stop as I start listening in as I approach Erianne's group.

"Haha! It is good to see you again, the last we met I was sure we'd never speak again." Varathorn greets Erianne warmly.

She smiles at meeting a good old friend, "Well, I'm back, and still waiting on that Ironbark bow you promised me."

He blinks, "Wait... does that mean...?"

She bobs her head.

He breaths out and nods in slight embarrassment, "Then the world is better for it, do not blame yourself young one. Owen would have died eventually with or without your admission."

Erianne swallows uncomfortably and stays quiet.

He continues in a brighter light, "Unfortunately, my stock of Ironbark is still depleted." He scoffs in frustration, "I cannot put our deal above the needs of the clan. The Keeper has forbidden us from entering the forest to collect the wood." He leans back against his Aravel in annoyance, "This means I cannot make our finest crafts for years to come."

Erianne nods in true empathy, "That is a shame."

I think for a moment and speak up with a wide smile, "How about we forge for the Ironbark when we set out?"

He looks at me for the first time and, at seeing my markings, he smiles, "I would be hesitant to ask it of you... but if you should come across some Ironbark I suppose there would be no harm in gathering it." His gaze draws back to Erianne and his smile grows a bit brighter, "It is blue and very distinctive. You can only harvest the bark which has fallen off the tree from age. If you find some, bring it to me and I will craft that bow for you, mark your new life properly."

Erianne nearly jumps with excitement, "AMAZING! Varathorn you are the best woodshaper in all the lands!"

He smirks with a small chuckle, "Compliments? From Eri?" He looks up at the sky in mockery, "Has the sky fallen?"

She rolls her eyes at his foolishness.

I clear my throat, reiterating my presence, "I would not be against a pair of Ironbark Dar'misu's, I'd pay for them of course."

Varathorn inclines his head in respect, "Very well Lethallin, and I did not ask for a promise. I only ask that you consider the task should you come across the bark in the forest." His eyes fall to Erianne again with admiration, "I'd be stricken with grief if anything would happen to you." Erianne blushes at the endearment.

"I should go." I say immediately, cringing as I feel the commander's glare still haunting that phrase across the years.

Of course everyone else doesn't get the reference and just take it as a way to end the conversation.

"Come on, Varathorn gave me a list of people to talk to." Erianne comments while we step away from the stands.

I incline my head in agreement and try to forget what I said as she takes out a piece of parchment and hands it to me.


Athras looks up as Erianne and I walk over, "Andaran atishan, strangers. I am Athras. I hope the others have not been too harsh in their treatment of you." His gaze stays on Erianne specifically.

She shakes her head quickly, "Not at all, Darien seems to have off-set any prejudice with his presence."

He sighs in relief, "That is good. I understand you will search for the wolves in the Brecilian Forest, I would join you, but Zathrian has... forbidden me." He says in agitation.

"Forbidden you?" Erianne asks curiously.

"We are banned from entering the forest now. I have... more cause than most, but I will not disobey my Keeper." He says reluctantly.

Even to save your wife's life?

Erianne tilts her head knowingly, her ability to sense potential quests seemingly improving day by day, "Why do you want to enter the forest?"

Athras fidgets with is gloved hands before deciding we were trustworthy enough, a warden and fellow member of the Dalish. "Well... alright." His gaze rests on my for the first time, "I see no harm in trusting it to a fellow member of the Dalish." Sadness fills his eyes, "My wife, Danyla, and I both fought the werewolves in the ambush. She was injured so gravely the curse spread rapidly in her. Zathrian fought hard to ease her pain, but there was little he could do." He starts pacing, "And though he says that Danyla is dead, he will not let me see her..." He gulps in fear at the thought, "Her body." His eyes widen in fear, "I am beginning to believe she became a werewolf, and that it is being kept from me so I do not go chasing after her..." Desperation fills his already blood-shot eyes, "If I could just... know if Danyla is alive, or what happened to her... then I could be at peace."

Erianne swallows painfully, her empathy still able to play with her emotions, "We will seek her out in the forest." She promises quietly.

I nod whole-heartedly in agreement, knowing what it felt like loosing someone you loved to a curse.

He fumbles with his armor to take out an amulet around his neck, "I have an amulet made by our craftsman. It's not much but I would be happy to give it to you in return for any news."

Erianne places a hand on his shoulder to calm him and we walk away as he breaks down from the thought his love was suffering.


I close my eyes as we get back to our group, noticing them still hovering over Varathorn as they barter their loot or ask about what has happened lately.

"I... I'll catch up with you guys." I push away from them, ignoring their worried looks as I make my way back to the camp's entrance, a question still haunting me from when we first came here.


As I approach her she turns to see me in surprise, "Oh, Darien. I trust there are no hard feelings about my questioning of you when you arrived. Standard protocol."

I hold back my growl and hide my frustration as best I can as I respond kindly, "I expected it, I saw you watching us and was wondering why."

Mithra blinks once and looks away uncomfortably, "I have no-"

I cut her off, "You're uncomfortable, possibly from either sexual attraction or a secret I do not have knowledge of. I want to know it if it exists." I bluntly demand.

Her eyes burn with pure hatred as she glares at me before they soften as she's reminded of my situation. "I- how has-" She stops herself. "It doesn't matter, your clan is gone."

"Please, I want to know." I plead, trying to get any shred of information about my past out of her.

She shifts her bow's string across her chest to distract herself, "Some of the clanmates are... curious about what happened to clan Dorfarla." Her gaze watches me suspiciously for any reaction, I don't give her any and she continues, "Especially after Relas stumbled into camp..."

My brain snaps on and off with dozens of alarms. Flashes of an elf, my... childhood, some foolish pranks, a dozen or so injuries, some hunting parties... everything I know about my... friend. No BEST friend...

"What?!" I shout in shock, "Where is he?!" I whip my head around and start scanning the camp for any sign of my- no, this body's friend, anything at all.

Mithra points beyond Zathrian's Aravel, "He's over there, talking wi-" I start running. "Hey! What are you-?!"

I ignore her and push past a group of Dalish as I rush to meet this body's friend for the first time in... forever.


I stop as soon as I spot him. My sharp eyes scan over him, finding him injured, missing an eye by the bloody cloth wrapped over his left. I spot claw marks on his arm, no doubt from fighting one of the beasts in one-on-one combat. I try and move, try to say anything, but I can't. I feel a rush of relief and doubt filling my heart. It starts to become too much and I'm about to flee the emotional bombardment when he turns, feeling someone staring at him. He goes wide-eyed at my presence. "D-Darien?" The elderly man asks as if he'd seen a ghost.

My throat goes dry as I simply nod instinctively.

Relas stands and rushes over, capturing me in a bear hug and I immediately return it, feeling my control break and tears building in my eyes, "I- I thought you were dead!" I grip his scorched armor tightly, trying to hold myself together.

He gruffly responds, "Darien, my son..."

I choke out a sob as he holds me tighter, silently sobbing at finding his lost son after all these years.

I watch myself crying with my- no, my body's father while noting everything in the back of my head. The emotions, the suffering that I remember from seeing Relas go up against a Pride demon single-handedly during the raid. Him screaming for Darien to run while he had a chance.

"I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry..." I hear myself mutter into Relas' shoulder.

"No, I'm sorry son, I shouldn't have stayed. I should have ran."

I push away the sharp pangs of grief and wipe my tears away, distancing myself from Relas as we sit down at the campfire.

Relas shakes his head in disbelief, "I can't believe... where did you go?" He scowls, "Where in the Creators have you been?!" He looks me over and stares at my head, "What happened to your hair?"

I laugh, still barely believing he's still alive. "I... I've been busy."

"Busy?" He pushes suspiciously.

I look into the fire tiredly as I finally recall the night of terror, "I- I ran and ended up stuck in Lothering."

"Lothering?! By the Creators! How did you survive the-" He catches himself before saying, "Darkspawn?"

I clear my throat, noticing the others around the fire watching us carefully, "I ran, again, helped a family survive, but we had to go our separate ways." I laugh at the thought that it's been only three years since I woke up in that field.

Feels like yesterday.

"What have you been doing?" I eye his clawed and bloodied arm, "Looks like you were malled by a wolf!"

Relas smiles proudly, "Try werewolf, but yeah I'm lucky compared to the others. At least I avoided getting infected. Beat two of the fuckers to death with a tree branch when my sword broke. Damn things don't give up easily." To provide truth to the story he points to a bloody and frayed tree branch laying beside him for emphasis.

I laugh wholeheartedly for the first time in a while.

Good old Relas, still tougher than the Dread Wolf!

"Damn... That's good. Creators..." The memories of the death and destruction of everyone this body loved and admired causes me to blanch, "What happened after we separated?" I ask curiously, my memory still barely clear about that part myself.

Relas' eyes turn bleak, "I fought. I killed. Then I ran when my bow's string broke and I never looked back." He shakes his head, running his calloused hands through his thick brown hair, "Sod it, You know how hopeless it was, I should have run, WE should have run..." His voice drops to a whisper, "She was too powerful..."

I pat his back, "At lest two of us survived."

"Two? It should have been twelve!" I calm myself, "But I see your point."

He looks around to check that not too many people were listening, "Talk to me when this werewolf thing is settled. We have..." His eyes darken at the thought. "Unfinished business to discuss."

I swallow as I remember the promise Darien made when he left, and nod resolutely, taking his forearm in a brotherly handshake before turning away to slam into an elf and fall on my ass. "Oof! Ow!" I rub my head and look at the small elf in front of me. "Oh are you alright?" I ask as I get back up to find Cammen rolling around, groaning as he held his face groaning.

Oh shit...

"Ohh..." I help him up and he timidly watches me through his fingers, "Err... hello?"

"Are you alright?" I ask again.

He cringes as he pulls his hands away to reveal a bleeding nose. "I-I think so, does it look bad?"

I blink and look at Relas who just shrugs with a smirk. "Uh... I guess?" I say with a shrug.

"Oh Creators..." He moans. "My luck is just getting worse and worse!"

I sigh and reach around to grab one of my regenerative health poultices, "Here, let me."

He swallows hesitantly, but lets me reach for him. He immediately cringes as I apply the salve to his split nose. "I'll have to-" I notice him watching my left hand intently and pull it down slowly to distract him before punching the bridge to the left, resetting it with a strange cracking sound.

"AH!" He screams as he nearly blacks out from the pain.

I grab his jaw and send a current of healing magic into his face to numb it a bit and he quits whining.

His eyes refocus on me, "Y-you're Darien, right?" he asks in a dazed mix of pain and numbness, his nose still bloody.

I take out a rag and start wiping away the blood, "Yeah, why do you ask?"

He cringes as I dab, "Relas here keeps telling us stories about your time as a first."

"Oh really?" I scowl at Relas.

"Ha ha! Someone has to!" He barks smugly.

I shake my head at how strange it is that I know him, but don't feel like I know him at the same time.

Cammen sniffs as I finish cleaning his face, "I- is it true you once took down a camp of bandits for... fun?"

I blink and pull up a memory of a pile of burning bodies, an overturned cart, some burning tents, and a smirking child covered with blood. "I... guess? Probably." I frown as I remember something else, "Well... not for FUN per-say. More for... practicing some spells."

"Once a week." Relas comments proudly, "Seriously, this guy single-handedly protected us from raids for three straight years with his little 'hobbies'."

I shake my head at his personality, "Ok, now what did you want?" I ask Cammen curiously.

He stares for a second before apologizing, "I'm sorry; I'm not used t-to dealing with outsiders," he looks at Relas, "Even Dalish ones." He nervously sniffs his plugged nose as it heals, "Though we do get people like your friend from time to time. Elves from the city I mean." He shyly shifts back and forth, "I am Cammen, a hunter apprentice. Though I wish I could become a real hunter." He says with some regret.

"Why can't you?" I ask, trying to keep the subject away from what vices Darien enjoyed as a child.

Gods what the hell? 'Testing spells'? Did I take the body of a psychopath?! Wait... if I'm not the original owner of this body, then is the old soul still here? Waiting to come out and kill the people I care about? This is... GOD! I need to take a breather. I'm- Either I have two souls with different memories or this is absolutely out of my field of expertise. Probably is.

Relas snaps me back into reality with his criticism, "The boy has no back-bone!"

"Relas! We do not frighten our apprentices into hunters!" Sorel finally speaks up.

Relas turns to Sorel and scoffs, "Apparently not! Otherwise Cammen here would be the lead hunter; with all his nervous fidgeting."

Cammen stares at his feet in shame, "I've been an apprentice for too long. To become a true hunter, I must bring back the pelt of a beast I killed myself."

Relas scoffs, "And the boy can't even track properly! A waste of time teaching this one anything having to do with the hunt!"

I rub my head in annoyance, "Relas?"

He looks at me, "Yeah?"

"PLEASE SHUT UP!"

He pouts as he shuts his mouth.

Sorel sighs in relief, "Thank the Creators, we were getting tired of his old battle stories."

I nod to him apologetically and turn back to Cammen, "Continue."

He blinks at me in surprise, "I-I wanted to hunt in the forest, but we're forbidden to enter because of the attack." His eyes stray from the ground to across the camp as he steps over and leans against a tree, "but... the real problem is Gheyna."

I spot the young elf in question, her sharp features, bright red hair tied back into a ponytail, the small smile on her pink lips as she enjoys conversation with her group of friends.

"You horny little tree elf has a stump in the bushes!" Relas declares with a laugh.

"Wha- what?" Cammen nervously turns back wide-eyed as I silently scold Relas' outburst.

"I think he said, 'You have girl problems' in Dwarven." I clarify.

Relas nods in agreement.

Cammen blinks, "Uh... I guess?"

"Is that a yes?" I raise an eyebrow in question.

He sighs at his conflict, "She's my heart's desire. I have asked for her hand, but she cruelly refuses it." His young face tightens in frustration, "She will not bond with an apprentice, she says, and calls me a child!" He stomps his foot, "I am no child! If I was a hunter, I could prove it, but I cannot hunt and... and Gheyna will never bond with me!" He nearly cries from his helplessness.

Wow... this guy IS spineless...

He continues, "I feel so helpless!" He sighs, "No, I shouldn't have brought it up, just leave me to my misery."

"No." I shake my head.

"No?" He tilts his head.

I frown, "No, we're going to figure this out before you start bawling. Now-"

He cuts me off, "You think I haven't thought about this? I-"

I cut him off in turn, "Apparently so! Since you're giving up so easily!"

"What can I do?! It's hopeless..."

I sigh in frustration at the stubborn youth, "So you could throw away any and all future happiness for you both simply because you can't go into the forest RIGHT THIS SECOND?" I pinch the bridge of my nose and shake my head, "And we call Humans Shemlen?" I sigh and recollect my thoughts as Cammen stares, "Can you keep from panicking until I get back from dealing with the werewolves?"

"I- I think so. But-"

I point at the spot next to Relas on the log, "Then sit the sod down and wait. Relas can teach you a few pointers about hunting while you do, patiently, like an adult."

He surprisingly perks up at this, "Really? I... I'm willing to try anything." He sits down next to Relas nervously.

"Haha! Just wait 'till the girls hear you say that Cammen! They'll swoon over your eagerness!" Relas taunts, his lower lip cracking from his broad smile.

I shake my head and walk away, trying to wrap my head around Relas and Darien's relationship years ago.

"Hey!"

I stop.

"Be careful son. Not everything needs magic to act all freaky, you should know that by now lethallin."

I turn and incline my head to him, a bit grateful for Relas's concern, "Yeah, I know."

"Wait!" I look past him and Sorel is waving at me. "Your friend, Erianne, asked you to meet her at the Halla pens, just west of here next to the lake."

I blink, trying to figure out when Erianne could have possibly talked to Sorel before shaking my head and thanking him for the help as I walk off towards the direction of the pens.


"Really?" Erianne asks in surprise.

"Ehh!"

"Oh how terrible!" She turns to Elora who's staring at her in absolute shock. "Her life-mate was bitten."

"Ehh!" The Halla stomps a hoof in agreement.

"Wow... um..." Elora blinks in surprise, "I never thought anyone else could speak to Halla. I thought I was going crazy, or imagining it!"

"Ehh!"

"Oh hush dear! I told you I was listening!"

"Ehh..."

Erianne just smiles at the two, "Happy to help." She turns to Alistair whose mouth is a-gap.

He stares for a moment more before shaking his head in disbelief, "How you did that I will never know."

She giggles, "Oh it was nothing, just listening. A hoof stomp means yes, a snort is a scoff, an ear twitch is for annoyance."

Alistair looks at the Halla with scrutiny and it twitches its ear.

Erianne laughs, "Haha! Good one! I bet he does eat hay!"

"Hey!" Alistair moans.

"Ehh!"

"Haha!" Erianne doubles over.

Alistair shakes his head, "I can't believe my girlfriend is making fun of me with a mystical talking deer."

Zevran smiles, "I suppose it's like the horse whisperers of Antiva." He steps over confidently to the Halla and lays a hand on her soft pelt, "Oh... such softness and beauty... are you blushing my dear? I should hope so, I have had to pose as an apprentice to a whisperer."

The halla snorts.

"Oh? You don't believe me? Let me show you-"

Erianne reaches out to him, "Uh Zevran I don't think she likes being touched there..."

Zevran ignores her and reaches out towards the halla's face and it backs away. "Don't play hard to get my dear."

Elora covers her mouth and backs away to watch as Zevran corners the Halla.

"Zevran! She's going to-" Erianne warns.

"EHH!" She turns as Zevran closes is and hid-kicks him in the chest, tossing him back and over a log and into the lake with a splash.

Everyone doubles over with laughter as he swears colorfully and limps ashore, avoiding the Halla pen as much as he could. "Well, that was embarrassing..." He mutters as he whips his golden locks around to get the water out like a dog, smirking as he looks at Elora with interest.

She rolls her eyes and goes back to petting the Halla comfortingly.

"Ehh, Eh... EH!"

Erianne bursts out laughing and Zevran's smile drops, "Oh now that isn't fare Grey Warden! I'm sure I could charm her if I could actually understand what she's saying! Come to think about it, how do YOU know what she's saying?"

I smile at them as I walk out from the shadows, "That's because she's an expert survivalist, you never had a chance man."

They look over at me and Erianne smiles as she wipes a tear from her eye, "Darien! You got the message then?"

I nod to them all with a smile, "Yeah, when do we set out?"

She waves at Sten, Wynne, and the rest to come over from where they rest beside the small lake, "Right now, if you're ready."

I nod.

"Good." She turns to address everyone, "Zevran, myself, Darien, and Wynne are going out to find this Witherfang."

Zevran smiles, "Finally! Some action!"

"Erianne smiles as well, "Morrigan, Alistair, Sten, Leliana, you'll stay here to keep an eye on our stuff and help protect the camp just in case the werewolves decide to attack again. Oh, and keep an eye on Bodahn and Sandal. They've already nearly insulted Varathorn with their... intense bargaining."

Alistair shakes his head, definitely disagreeing with being separated from his girlfriend, but a stern look from Erianne gets him to swallow his complaints.

Morrigan yawns, "Sure, just leave me with these incompetent fools. Oh how you must hate me Brother."

I roll my eyes, "Yes, yes, and you must be oh so uncomfortable relaxing with mother's Grimoire all to yourself for a few days."

Her eyes brighten up at the thought, "Well then, get on with it! You are wasting daylight!"

Sten grunts with indifference.

Leliana looks at me with worry, which I smile at and silently tell her I'll be alright with a nod. She turns away and pushes off to go stand at the lake's edge. One look from Erianne tells me to go after her so I do.

"Leli?" I ask as I step up behind her.

She sighs, as she sits on the ground, not looking at me. I join her and we sit there in the silence for a while.

"Leli I'll be fine-"

"Don't." I look at her and she's glaring at me, "Don't act like everything is just fine and we'll all survive because you don't know. None of us do, so... just don't." She turns away.

I huff at her, "Well, ok?" I think for a moment as I reiterate, "There's a good chance I'll get infected and probably die in that forest either from wild animals, spiritual ambush, or otherwise just getting lost. Is that much better?"

She shakes her head, "I suppose not, I'm just sick of hearing all the platitudes." She looks out over the water's edge, "I never really told you how I came to Ferelden did I? I'd like you to know... just-in-case I never see you again." I stay silent and she looks at me, "Aren't you supposed to say that you'll come back?"

I shrug, "We both know that's a lie. Neither of us know if that's possible."

She smiles sadly, "I suppose that's true. I used to be-"

I cut her off. "A bard, a spy and assassin, I know." I look out at the clear water.

She stares at me in shock.

I smile at her as I turn my head, "What? You thought I'd be ignorant to the only other person in the group with a masterful skill in shadows and poisons besides Zevran?"

She cringes at my words, "How long have you known?"

I look out over the shimmering water in deep thought, "Well... honestly I knew something was different as soon as I heard you attacked those men back in Lothering. Going past that I'd guess I knew you were an assassin when we took Zevran in and you never even beat an eyelash, then after hearing about the Bard thing I guess I connected the dots."

She watches me carefully, "And you still like me?"

I scoff at the absurdity of the question, "Seriously? I've been friends with a murderous former cultist that loved to drink blood and rip out people's hearts with her bare hands! This is nothing."

She looks at me in disbelief and I hold my hands out, making a squishing sound as I tear a spare rag apart. "Kind of like that I think, a bit more bloody though."

She shakes her head and laughs her beautiful laugh, "I can't believe I was worried you'd dislike me. I mean you are the brother of Morrigan so I'd thought-"

I turn to her and find our faces mere inches apart, "You thought I'd despise you for believing in the Maker?"

She looks deeply into my eyes with her own deep blue and I see such kindness and curiosity that my heart skips a beat, "I never thought I'd meet such a good friend when I acted on my vision."

And the mood is ruined.

I sigh and turn away to find her hand pulling me back, "But I am lucky to find a lover instead." She captures my lips with her own and I'm shocked by the amount of passion she's throwing at me.

I snake an arm around her waist and she breaths out contentedly. I end the kiss and she groans at the lack of contact as I stand, letting our hands linger a bit longer, "Later, Leli."

She smiles up at me as I stand to leave, "Stay alive Darien, please."

I take a few steps away and look back at her one more time before sighing as my heart clenches at our separation. The sharp pang of guilt that if I died she'd be devastated swirling my thoughts until I find myself already missing her.

I'd never have thought I'd end up falling for a bard. Well, everything has to happen once in three lifetimes.


A/N Thanks to a guest reviewer (either from SL or DJ I can't remember), I caught a grammar error and changed 'warily' to 'wearily'. Thanks again to whoever that was. I completely overlooked that. :)

Once again I find myself being bogged down by some research paper in college; I love writing, but sometimes I wonder if I really need to write a six page paper on Ponzi schemes. I digress, there's always something for me to do so I'm more than happy with the arrangements.

I'll have another chapter of Drifter's Journey out before the end of the week and another of Scorpio's Legacy by then as well if everything works out fine.

Oh! And check out the cover image. I've got another pic of Darien I think you're going to like. :) Sorry for the quality; I don't have an HD tv... yet.