The fade was...different than Velanna remembered it.

Usually when she fell asleep the fade was more desolate, more...serene, empty fields where the occasional spirit wandered, which she usually avoided, knowing better then to risk any encounters when it could lead to her being possessed. A mage knew to be careful in the fade, to hide, to build defences.

Yet now she was seeking the battles, the spirits...in a portion of the fade where structure existed...far more then the bad mirrors of the real world the spirits of the fade at time tried to create. She knew it was due to whatever thing that darkspawn had unleashed upon her...yet she found the high walls of white bone unnerving, even with the familiar green sky above their heads.

The walls were a maze.

A maze that shifted. Velanna remembered her lessons well, whatever the thing had done to this portion of the fade the place was still ruled by your mind, and a mind could shift... Yet it took some concentration to do so...and Velanna often found her small group funnelled the path where the resistance of the walls were weaker.

She refused to ponder the significance too much though, to worry about any potential trap, such thoughts were dangerous, a lure for demons she had no desire to tangle with in addition to the burden she was already shouldering.

Though not physically behind her, the two women at her back were with her, in spirit and mind...which was what mattered where they were.

They hadn't been too hard to find, demons preyed upon the spirits of the living, and those sent there by other means but sleep were easy for such creatures to find. As such Velanna had simply followed the pull in her mind, a pull demanding her to find it...the ripples in the water, the disturbance of the natural disorder of the fade, the wind of change...

She had found Sigrun first of all. The dwarf had been trapped in some sort of...tunnel Velanna supposed it had been, assailed by...even now she wasn't sure what the demons had been supposed to be. Everything at the place had been blurry, hazy, confusing, as if the demons that had trapped their prey hadn't been sure how to deal with her.

Velanna wasn't sure why, perhaps because dwarves weren't supposed to dream at all...perhaps because the dwarf symbolically was dead, and the dead did not dream. Or maybe because she's too crazy to understand. Velanna smirked at the thought and shot the dwarf on her left a smile, surprised by the affection she felt as the dwarf offered her an uncomfortable grin, obviously still perturbed by the strange land she was in. Life out here has softened me...

Strangely Velanna didn't mind the change, and once again looked around for the chief architect of that change...yet once more she didn't find him. No worry yet, perseverance always wins out... She fiddled with the hem of her robe, despite it not really being there...and bit her lower lip. I'll find him.

Mhairi had been a bit harder to find. Since distance had nothing to do with the way to others in the fade Velanna knew it had been something else keeping her away from the knight. Shame.

They had found Mhairi on a muddied battlefield, her sword and armour spotless on a field covered with broken bodies and blood. On her knees within a cage of black steel the woman hadn't moved at their approach, the woman just sitting there, staring into the distance.

Staring at a city, a city with a tall tower in its centre...a city in flames.

The guilt and shame had been like a flood, a flood rushing against Velanna, forcing her to struggle against it to reach the spotless knight that was set on staring at the burning city, not even noticing the bars holding her captive.

But Velanna had struck the cage, spoken the words of power, thought upon Nathaniel...and let the sudden joy slam into the bar like a physical blow. For in the fade that was what it was. Or perhaps a poison rather, the antithesis of what the demon was, what the demon fed upon.

The cage had buckled...then broken...the demon that it was howling as it melted away, fled into the ground.

She and Sigrun had moved to help Mhairi up...and the knight had gladly taken their offered hands, giving them a shaky smile.

None had said anything.

And now they were looking for the rest, for the Commander...and Nathaniel.

Yet the two proved difficult to find, why Velanna wasn't sure. She could understand Lynn perhaps, the woman held far too much pain within her to wish to see anyone...Velanna was sure demons would find dozens of ways to approach and feed upon the elf's injured soul. But Nathaniel...she had no idea why it was so hard to find him.

Is he in pain? Some hidden problem? I doubt it...shame? No...he isn't one for wallowing. But what...?

Velanna felt her worry mount.

Only to find herself before a door.

The group came to a stumbling halt, the two others shooting Velanna questioning looks, not daring to speak, as the mage frowned in worry and confusion. Scratching the tip of her chin Velanna eyed the door with a glower. Did it appear due to my worry? A trap set by a demon? It was awfully fast... Or was it merely my worry opening the path, my mind forging a new way to the one I lo-wish to find? She smirked at her own transparency. I want to find him...because I...I... the smirk turned into a grin. I don't dare thinking it! But I will find him...

She eyed the door, noting the worn brass handle, the sturdy wood, the faded blazon upon it, a bear...Amaranthine.

Screw it.

She pushed the door open and stalked in, staff in her hand.

And found herself in a throne room, the centre dominated by a warm fire...Vigil's Keep? Raising a hand she commanded silence, sensing Mhairi was about to ask the same.

Then two guards stood before her, armoured in splint mail of grey iron and with drawn sword...yet it was all a illusion. Velanna saw into their eyes...and saw their otherness. Demons...minor ones. She bared her teeth in a snarl and felt the creatures within the illusions of soldiers cower, knowing their spirits were in danger of being ripped asunder.

As one the two stepped aside, letting the group past. Velanna offered them each a curt nod. Wise choice.

Then she heard Nathaniel.

Heard him laughing.

Stalking forth with a bit too much haste to her steps Velanna saw the man...and stumbled to a stop.

A dining table had been dragged out in front of the empty throne, a dining table cramped with all manner of delicacies, most of which Velanna didn't recognise. Sitting at the head of the table was a slim old man, his grey hair topping a gaunt and worn face with a hawkish nose, his leather armour reminding Velanna of Nathaniel's own. Despite his weasel-like features the man looked oddly pleasant as he smiled, unnaturally even, it was as if Velanna was seeing a fish flying... With a sigh she realised the man was someone Nathaniel knew...yet not, changed, different...and she felt worry.

Nathaniel sat to the man's right, his skin paler and less weathered then usual, his armour less gritty, hair shorter and better kept...his tunic green and simple, despite the golden embroideries in the seams. Velanna wanted to rush forth, wanted to rip him away from whatever foulness the demons were dealing with this time...yet held knowing that she had to wait...had to wait for him to be ready.

To the left of the weasel of a man and opposite Nathaniel another man sat, though sharing his features the man was slightly different to Nathaniel, his shoulders broader, his neck thicker, nose slightly longer, his hair shorter kept. Sitting far more rigid in his chair then Nathaniel the man also sported a short sword sheathed to his side, though he hardly seemed to notice as he with gusto devoured the food before him.

And next to him...a woman Velanna remembered...Nathaniel's sister. Still beautiful and kind-looking the woman seemed more...at ease then when they had met her in Amaranthine, the demon playing her apparently set on creating a pleasant façade as it held out a plate towards the only human really at the table and spoke with a light tone: "An apple brother?"

Nathaniel grinned from ear to ear as he reached out and plucked one of the fruits from the plate. "My thanks sister, have you considered your marriage plans any further."

The 'woman' bowed her head ever so slightly. "Of course brother, I think you're right, he's a good man, and wealthy too..." The last she added with some wistfulness, as if she didn't really want the choice she had made.

Nathaniel only shot her a kind smile though as he said: "I only want what's best for you...you'll be safe and taken care of there, I..." A grimace, quickly pushed aside as the man kept fooling himself: "...don't want to worry about you."

"Of course not." The woman smiled and nodded. "Don't worry, I'll marry him and be safe."

Nathaniel visibly relaxed at the words even as the man opposite him reached out and playfully caught the woman's neck with his arm as he rumbled with the voice of a soldier: "Don't worry brother! I'll make sure she'll manage! She'll come to no harm with me nearby!"

The woman simply laughed as Nathaniel nodded, smile slightly pensive as he replied: "I know you will brother, always the responsible one eh?" Wrong. "I know I can always trust in you." All wrong. Velanna felt it, knew it...the scene before her was just that...a scene, not real, not even a memory...just something constructed for Nathaniel's benefit.

You poor fool... She sighed as she stepped closer.

The 'man' at the head of the table looked up then, eyes narrowing for the briefest of moments as he spotted her, the demonic essence within him flaring up in worry and hatred. It was gone a moment later though, replaced by a cool façade. "And you are? I don't recall inviting any guests, and you are clearly no servant of mine or I would have you whipped for dressing like some prostitute..."

Velanna bared her teeth in a growl, only to be interrupted by Nathaniel as he placed a hand on the man's forearm, smiling slightly as he spoke, as if chastising a child: "Calm down father, we've talked about this before haven't we? Respect the servants and elves in general, they're not our enemies."

"I...yes...of course." The demon playing Nathaniel's father feigned a smile as it shook its head. "Ah, a son raising his father...if I'd only known what a fine son you'd make...I would have kept you along during my travels more. Forgive an old man for his foolishness?"

"Of course father." Nathaniel patted the demon's hand, smiling kindly. "I still love you after all."

Velanna swallowed, painful sympathy stabbing her in the chest. As she saw the man...no...demon...smile back and put his own hand over Nathaniel's: "And I you son, never forget it."

He's happy...but it's just a lie. She steeled her nerves, knowing what would have to come.

Then Nathaniel turned to face her...and there was no recognition in his eyes. "Are you perchance from a Dalish clan young woman? I do not remember us having one on our lands for some time...are you here over a disagreement? Or perhaps trade?"

"You...don't recognise me." Velanna knew it had been a possibility, yet it hurt...she swallowed...hurt. Deflating slightly she felt Mhairi's and Sigrun's hands on her shoulders, they didn't help, their sympathy only salt upon her wound.

"Should I?" The man arched an eyebrow, then hesitated...before shrugging. "I...don't believe I should. Now, was there something you wanted..." He eyed her staff. "...Keeper?"

I can reach him... Velanna shrugged off the helping hands even as she ignored the sting of doubt in her heart. He looks so content...she had to shook her head. No, not content, it's faked, I know it. "Keeper? Perhaps...though you may call me a lady."

"Very well my..." Nathaniel stopped mid-sentence, a look of confusion on his face, then it faded as his 'father' placed a hand on his shoulder. Looking slightly drugged he shook his head, as if trying to clear it. "...lady." Another shake of his head and he focused upon her with an even gaze. "Now, what do you wish? As you can see we're in the middle of dinner here." He gestured for their table with a frown of irritation.

Shooting his 'father' a glare, knowing the heart of the disease in Nathaniel, Velanna took a step forth. "Yes, we're here to leave, we have darkspawn to defeat, remember?"

"N-no...I don't remember any darkspawn." Nathaniel hesitated, then glowered at her in frustration. "Now I have been a gracious host but if you'll continue with this strangeness I'll be forced to have you escorted out, Keeper or not."

Though worried, knowing that Nathaniel could indeed close his mind to her if she pushed too hard...Velanna continued. There is no second chance...please gods...please... "Your father died." Gasps arose from the assembled at the table as they all rose to their feet. "Your brother too." The large man whirled to face her, short sword drawn, the hand around it momentarily shifting into a claw as the demon struggled to remain in control. "Only your sister survived."

Nathaniel was the only one remaining seated, the man pale, lower lip trembling as he stared at her. Remembering, believing...yet not. "I...no...that's not right..." He shook his head, first slightly, then more insistently, looking down at the table as his hands clenched into fists where they lay upon the table.

"Now you will-"

Velanna's glare silenced the demon that played Nathaniel's father, a slam of her staff against the floor stopping the one playing his brother from lunging. They were only minor demons, they would not survive a fight with her...and they knew it. Yet she couldn't fight them either, if she did...she wasn't sure what would happen with Nathaniel's already fragile mind.

They were at an impasse.

Except... "The Commander nearly died, remember?" Velanna watched Nathaniel twitch...and felt hope. "The taint within you...you feel it still?" He did, she saw that he did...and it confused him. "Mhairi, Sigrun, Anders, remember them?" Another twitch, Nathaniel looking sick as he kept staring down at the table. "Me? Velanna?" She smiled, softly, feeling a soft joy all of a sudden, and letting it emanate from her. "You remember me don't you...?"

"Lavender..." Nathaniel muttered the word, a small smile sneaking its way to his lips.

Yes!

Then he shook his head, looking away, shoulder shaking. "I...no...this is...no..."

No...

"I think it's time for you to leave..." Nathaniel's 'father' spoke, sounding sad even as his demonic eyes glowed with glee.

Velanna glared back, making the creature take a step back. "Not yet, no." She turned her gaze to Nathaniel, took a deep breath...and advanced. You will come with me.

The man scrambled away at her approach, afraid, not of her...but of something he didn't understand, something he didn't want to understand.

There was nowhere to go though, the armrests of the chair he sat on moving to envelope his arms at Velanna's command, its back legs tilting back to ease him back. I'm sorry...but I cannot leave you...not here... Velanna swallowed, then found herself smiling as she stood over the trembling man. Not ever...

Leaning forth she cupped his chin, making him to go still as he stared up at her with a spark of confused recognition.

Her voice was but a soft whisper: "Remember..."

A kiss.

Tentative and careful.

Her other hand landed on his shoulder, then sneaked up behind his head, digging into his hair.

Thirsty and demanding.

As new as it was familiar.

As soothing as it was dizzying.

As passionate as it was calm.

The demons around them howled in pain and frustration as their deceptions evaporated.

As Nathaniel remembered her.

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Thanks to Abydos Jackson for not melting reading this. ;-)