New Friends

Her brother was the only person she knew who owned a bow and when she had returned home she begged him relentlessly, and started again this morning not intending to give up until he gave in. After all she couldn't show up for her first lesson without one, now could she? "Come on Carver, please!? You know I would take care of her, just like she was my own!"

"Maker, that's what I'm afraid of." Carver growled. Amalyr did her best to give him the look of wide eyed innocence that she and Bethany had perfected and worked so well on her father. "PPlleeaassee?!" She begged sweetly as she draped herself over a chair.

Carver rolled his eyes reaching for his bow.

Amalyr gave older brother a big grin when he finally took Gracelyn from the wall and handed her to Amalyr. With a much put upon sigh he said, "Alriiight Lyr, take it, but you had better bring her back in one piece!"

Amalyr launched herself at her brother giving him a big hug. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I promise you won't regret it." She beamed up at him.

Carver a towering copy of their father set her down and tousled her hair. "Yah, yah."

She chuckled. "You say that now, but wait until I have you doing my chores." She stuck her tongue at him, ducked out the house in search of Bethany, before he could change his mind.

Bethany and Amalyr entered the Dalish camp midmorning. Bethany had caught her chewing on her nails, again, she reached out entwined her fingers with her sister and gave a reassuring squeeze. "There is nothing to be nervous about, you're amazing with those things at your hip. I don't think you will have as much trouble with archery as you think you will." Bethany grinned wickedly at her twin. "Why I've seen you take Carver down with no effort. I'll never forget the look he gave you, after he landed face first in the mud! I thought you were done for." That got her a weak chuckle from her twin. "I've never run so fast in my life." Bethany smiled encouragingly. "You'll do fine Lyr."

"I know Bethy; it's just…no you're right. I can do this." She squared her shoulders, feeling a little better, released Bethany's hand and headed to the archery range.

She could see Fenarel, Tamlen and Safyre chatting by one of the targets, so with a little trepidation she waived to Fenarel gaining his attention. Fenarel smiled in greeting, Tamlen glowered at her making a small hidden, or so he thought, motion signaling an end to their conversation.

"You should go back to where you came from shem!" Tamlen growled as she came within hearing. Amalyr narrowed her eyes at his tone. No! I don't want Fenarel to change his mind. She took a deep breath controlling her temper and exhaled slowly.

Safyre gave a startled glance to her companion. "Tamlen is this how you show Dalish hospitality."

"Shemlen are not so deserving of such honor emma lath." Safyre rolled her eyes uncurling from her position near Tamlen, smiling at Amalyr "Adaran atish'an. Don't mind him; he's only sour because I won his Dar'Misu." She gave him a playful push.

"Not now!" Safyre not the least bit contrite leaned over to whisper in his ear. Tamlen flushed, his glare softening as he looked down at Safyre, then he turned and left without another word.

Fenarel stifled a laugh at his friend's discomfort.

Safyre studied Amalyr, she had just started to fidget uncomfortably when the elf, smiled and gestured toward her brother's bow. "This will never do, that is much too big for you. Fenarel go to my aravel and tell Ashalle I need my old bor'assan." He winked at Amalyr, and left on his errand.

Safyre placed a friendly hand on Amalyr's shoulder and guided the bewildered human to a nearby stump, once she was seated Safyre reached into a small pouch on her hip removing a small leather thong with beautiful white beads, holding the item out to Amalyr as walked round behind her. "Now that the boys are out of the way, let's do something with that gorgeous hair of yours." Bemused Amalyr accepted the hair tie. Hearing Safyre's chuckle, she flushed realizing the elf must have seen her expression.

"Not to worry this just gives me an excuse to learn a little about you and your family." Amalyr looked over her shoulder and giving a small hesitant smile then started to relax when she felt the elf women's fingers running through her long tresses as she began to plait her hair. It did not take long before both young women were chatting amiably as they got to know one another.

Training began in earnest when Fenarel returned a few moments later with the requested bow. Safyre handed her old bow to Amalyr telling her Master Ilan was working on a new bow for her and she would rather see this one put to good use instead of gather dust.

"Blast it!" Amalyr swore, clearly frustrated. This is the third time I've been hit by that blasted string; I just knew I would be black and blue by the end of the day, her bracer protected her forearm, but did nothing for her elbow. She looked over her shoulder at Safyre, then turned her attention to Fenarel as he approached her with amusement in his blue eyes.

"Let me help you, with your stance." He smiled, giving her a questioning glance.

She nodded afraid to speak. When he moved up close behind her, she became slightly distracted and a little less frustrated, then she felt him touch her and the butterflies in her stomach began to dance.

"You want to hold your bor'assan like so." He proceeded to demonstrate by placing a hand firmly over hers holding the bow steady, sliding his other along her forearm rotating her elbow out of the strings path.

"You want to stand like so." He murmured in her ear has he positioned her against him, using his foot Fenarel moved hers so they were shoulder with apart. He then wrapped his arm around her placing her other hand on the string.

Continuing to mummer in her ear, "think of the bor'assan as an extension of you, inhale, draw the string back," he pulled her arm back placing tension on the string.

"Sight along the arrow just a little higher than your intended target." He moved her bow arm up fractionally.

"Exhale when releasing. You want the arrow to hit its mark before you lower the bor'assan. This will help prevent the arrow from moving off target." He released her string arm moving his hand to settle lightly on her hip. She could feel her heart beat quicken, then she flushed when she felt his breath on her ear as he whispered, "Now release." Amalyr released the string, watched the arrow fly. She was rewarded with a solid, thunk, as the arrow hit the intended target, only slightly off the mark. Amalyr looked over her shoulder and beamed her success. Fenarel gave her a gentle squeeze then released her, reluctantly; he stepped back, clearing his throat. "Now, again." Fenarel gestured at the target, his eyes were darker than usual.

Fenarel was deep in thought, admiring Amalyr's profile, when a light voice and an accompanying jab in the ribs sharply drew his attention back to the here and now.

"You really should just go for it, I mean look at her, anyone with eyes can see she likes you too."

In all honesty he had forgotten Safyre was there, sheepishly he looked over at his friend, I have to admit I'm attracted to the petite human. Fenarel had not realized just how transparent he had been. "I don't think I should pursue her." He whispered uncomfortably not wanting to be overheard. "And I think Tamlen would agree, don't you?" He knew what Tamlen's argument would be: she's not even elvenan.

Safyre blew sable hair out of her silver eyes in exasperation "Does it matter what, Tamlen thinks or anyone else for that matter? "If you could get past the fact that she's human, I think it would do you both some good." He paused considering his rationale and what his friend was telling him. Although the idea did have its appeal, Fenarel shook his head, I really do not think Amalyr would consider me a potential…what? His body still tingled where he had come in contact with the girl.

Safyre suddenly sprouted a mischievous grin. "I've got an idea." Not waiting for a response she danced over to where the human was beginning to notch another arrow.

Amalyr, looked over at Fenarel while she listened to her enthusiastic new friend, tell her they were heading to the hot springs and to grab her sister if she wanted to come along. Smiling shyly Amalyr nodded her assent then headed off to retrieve Bethany.

Amalyr stepped into the Keeper's aravel, trying to be as quiet as possible, waiting for Bethany to finish what looked like a complex incantation. Their father had warned them repeatedly that any distraction could be dangerous not only to spell caster, but to everyone around the mage as well.

Nodding to Keeper Marethari, Amalyr looked around curiously she had only been inside the aravel few times. The room was dim lit with only a few tallow candles, tapestries, dried herbs lined the walls and various arcane paraphernalia covered every available space. In a doorway toward the back of the room, almost unnoticed, a pale narrow face, framed by short black hair was intently watching Bethany while mumbling something to herself, with quick bird like movements the strange elf disappeared into the adjoining room when realizing she had become the focal point of Amalyr's attention. Amalyr turned back in time to see Bethany slump forward in exhaustion. Sluggishly, her sister pushed herself back into a sitting position struggling to bring her vision back into focus then returning her attention back to the Keeper.

Marethari nodded her approval, she glanced over at Amalyr then spoke to Bethany "I think it is time to call it a day, child. Go. Rest. We shall start fresh on your next visit." With that the Keeper excused herself and went into to same room the strange elf had disappeared into, just moments before.

Amalyr knowing her sister would need to drink and eat something after expending so much energy, rummaged in her pack removing her flask and the honey cakes she had managed to filch when her mother's back was turned. She coaxed her twin to drink, then pressed one of the honey cakes into Bethany's hands. Once she was sure her twin would eat without needing further coaxing, she went over the day's events. Bethany's eyes grew round and started to sparkle at Fenarel's idea of help. When Amalyr asked her to join her and the two elves at the hot springs her sister's lips widened in a delicious grin.

"Oh, this will be fun." Bethany cooed, following her sister out of the aravel toward the Halla pen and their rendezvous.

As they walked Bethany studied her twin. The elf would be a fool to pass her by, Amalyr is gorgeous. Thick auburn hair with soft curls framing a heart shaped face, big green eyes, a smattering of freckles across her pert nose, lush red lips and cheeks that dimpled when she laughed. Bethany knew several fellows at home who wanted to get to know her better. Amalyr, on the other hand, never noticed, nor had any idea that she was appealing to others, that her twin preferred blending in with the shadows to remain unseen, mystified her.

Why? I just don't understand. Bethany, however, was well aware of her looks: she was more outgoing and relaxed in the presence of male company, with her thick black hair, cerulean blue eyes and porcelain skin, she tended attract suitors like flies to honey. Seeing the attraction Amalyr held for this elf, Fenarel. Bethany had every intention of breaking down her twins self-imposed walls if it meant tying the two together.

Although judging by the way he keeps looking at her and vice versa, I don't think that would be a problem. She started smiling like the fox that had gotten into the hen house.

Arriving at the hot spring both elves quickly divested themselves of everything but their small cloths and dived into the inviting pool of warmth. Bethany, not to be left behind swiftly followed the two elves. When she realized Amalyr had not entered the pool yet, she turned to see her twin sucking on her bottom lip, flushing a faint shade of pink, and still fully clothed.

Bethany covered the beginnings of a smile with the tips of her fingers, she followed her twins gaze to the male elf resting behind her smiling at her sister. Bethany decided Amalyr needed a delicate push, she motioned for Fenarel to turn his back to her sister. Once that was accomplished she waded out of the pool, deciding to assist Amalyr out of her leather armor and into the warm water.

Fenarel rested his chin on his crossed arms listening for the sound of Bethany and Amalyr entering the water. When he was certain both girls had been in the water long enough to be comfortable he turned back around meeting three pairs of eyes. One set of silver, one set of cerulean blue both glinting with mischief and one set of green eyes trying, unsuccessfully, to feign nonchalance. Chuckling he leaned back to relax only to have Safyre attack him with water.

Feeling more at ease Amalyr gave her sister a wicked grin, and motioned her head toward Fenarel who was trying to defend himself from his elven friend. Bethany did not need any other instruction and returned the wicked grin. Both girls disappeared under the water and the unsuspecting elf went under. Fenarel came up spluttering, too the howl of three girls laughing hysterically, joining in the laughter Fenarel lunged after Amalyr, who squealed in delight and tried to avoid capture. It didn't take long before it was an all-out water fight that soon had everyone laughing and playing.

A/N: I wanted the elves/humans to have a little fun. Also a warm thank you to my awesome beta Kira. Bioware owns everything.