AN: Didn't I tell you I wouldn't take as long to update? Sometimes I make good on my promises. ;) Big thanks to everyone who's read, subscribed and favourite. A huge thanks to all of you who reviewed and gave me feedback, it is very much appreciated. :)

So in this chapter there is a Daly. It's something I came up with for my OC. A Daly is an advisor who is specialised in giving advice. It's a whole science in predicting which would be the best advice. I could be about almost anything; money, wars, relationships, gambling, politicking etc. Nearly all wealthy nobles and kings and queens can be seen with one or two Dalies next to them. A wise man would not make an important decision without consulting his Daly first.

Ok, just wanted to clarify that. :) Also I know Wynne doesn't get The True Prophet book until you've been to Orzammar, but hey, since almost everything else is different from the game, why not that as well? ;)

Hope you enjoy this chapter.

~Elmjuniper

PS. Again, I've done what I can with editing, but I'm sure I've missed some typos and all, but you will survive, yes?

FATE

THE WATERFALL LEAPT OFF THE cliff in a grand arch, diving towards the lake piercing its surface with playful splashes. The surface rippled and Sinniralin let the tips of her fingers break the tiny waves as she waded through the water towards the inviting waterfall. The cool water pressed against her skin and she shuddered, thankful for the hot summer sun warming her bare shoulders. Cupping her fingers she let her hands sink under the surface scooping up the clean water splashing her face with it. It trickled down her throat and neck leaving broken trails of wet pearls as it ran zig-zag down across her chest. She took a deep breath sinking down towards the bottom, letting the coolness and stillness of the thick waters surround her. Closing her eyes she felt her insides relaxing, the demonic essence held at bay temporarily by the cold water. She revelled in the feeling of letting herself go, just floating underneath the surface, weightless, worriless. Serenity. That amazing feeling water gave her. She stayed like that until her lounges started burning, imploring her to grant them air once more. She kicked off from the rounded stones covering the bottom of the small lake, breaking the surface with a sharp intake of air. She flattened her hair, water dripping like a small downpour as she rolled up her long hair into a ball, squeezing it hard. She braided it slowly before tossing it behind her back mulling the events that had taken place recently.

She scrunched up her face. Who was that man from the weird estate she'd been taken to? Why did he feel so familiar? He knew who she was, he had said her name. Her head ached and she sighed heavily. It was the second time in a short period that someone had referred to her as the Destroyer. What did they mean by that? What was it they knew that she didn't? She thought back of the golden book. If only she had the prophecy. If only she knew what it was that the odd man, his crazy cult and that blind mage she had come across days earlier were all talking about, then maybe she wouldn't feel like she was walking around blindfolded. She pondered the blind mage's words, The Destroyer of Light. She stared at her reflection, distorted and blurred by the rippling of water. Her face swirled and twisted on the surface and she placed a hand on her cheek almost as if to make sure her face hadn't changed. Her fingertips curled around the subtle edge of her cheekbones, silken skin warmed by the sun. She kept looking trying to see if she could see the monster that lurked within her –whatever it was. Sapphire eyes stared back at her. She closed them, feeling her breath shake a little. Why? Why did these things happen? Why couldn't she stop it? Why couldn't she control it? This thing, this evil part of her that she tried so hard to fight, kept growing stronger. Images from days before flashed before her mind. The frightened looks upon her fellow companions' faces, the hate and distaste mirrored in the templar's face. She hated herself just as much as he did. Something like her shouldn't exist.

"Just another abomination," she whispered to her own reflection. Even the bard had looked at her rigid with fear. She huffed. What had she'd expected? That Leliana, the lay sister who saw the beauty of the Maker in almost everything, would understand or would even accept what she was? Had she really believed there was possibility that the two of them could have any sort of relationship? She didn't deserve it. She was something foul and sinister. How she had given birth to such a beautiful daughter was beyond her. How could the Maker grant her something as amazing as Nimue?

Her daughter. She felt a sting of remorse as she thought of how her daughter had always looked up at her, big blue eyes filled with love. If only she could go back to make sure her daughter and Glub were alright. Impossible without risking being caught again, she still hadn't reported back to Loghain and she was sure that by now he had figured out she had betrayed him. Glub would keep Nimue safe or die trying. She swallowed. She would have to pace things up if she wanted to get back to her family.

A gasp behind her back interrupted her thoughts and she turned her head looking in the direction from which the sound had come from. The bard stood by the water's edge, one hand clasping her mouth.

"By the Maker, Sin. Your back!" She exclaimed in shock.

The old cuts from her lashings in the dungeons ran like long gullies across her back and the new ones had sliced some of them open yet again. They had healed quicker than they should, but it was still a nasty sight. She looked away, feeling slightly ashamed of the current state of her body.

"It's fine, it'll heal." She started splashing her arms with water waiting for Leliana to say something.

"Some of those are old." She hadn't noticed the bard approaching her in the water and she stiffened underneath the touch of Leliana's hands on her bare shoulders as she inspected her scars. "What happened to you?"

She turned her head glancing at the red headed bard from the corner of her eyes. "I was held captive in the dungeons of an arle."

"The dungeons? They tortured you, didn't they?"

Sin remained silent staring at her hand that was drawing circles in the water.

"Let me help you, Sin." The bard pleaded with her.

She swallowed thickly. She couldn't. How could she risk hurting the bard by letting her close?

"I can't," she whispered.

"Why?" Leliana demanded forcing her to turn around.

"Because I don't want to hurt you. You are…special. I'm not sure how, but I don't want to hurt you."

The bard stepped closer to her looking her dead in the eye. "You're not going to hurt me. I know you won't."

"I can't control it, Leliana. It's getting stronger." Lately the force of the demonic essence had increased, but to her surprise it seemed to weaken now that the bard stood close to her in the cool water. How could that be?

"Then let me help you control it," Leliana said seriously. "I'm not going away Sin and neither are you, you can't avoid me forever."

Sin found herself smiling shaking her head in defeat. Partly because she liked how stubborn the bard could be, partly because it reminded her of how she used to be herself. Perhaps she could control better things if she did let the bard feel like she was helping her? "Did anyone ever tell you you're obnoxiously stubborn?"

"No, never happened. Not once, now turn around so we can clean this mess up."

"Uh huh…a likely story," Sin muttered but obliged nonetheless and turned around. She wished she didn't relax or enjoy the feel of Leliana's hands gently cleaning her back with the blindweed soap, but she did, her skin tingling underneath the light pressure of Leliana's fingertips. She let the bard wash her back, then her shoulders and then her arms. She could feel the heat of Leliana's bare skin pressed next to hers where she stood behind her and her gaze feel on the bard's arms as her hands scrubbed Sin's wrists. Thin, short scars ran across the bard's arms. Sin grabbed Leliana's arms gently lifting it softly towards her face before turning towards the bard. So this is why she had spoken so convincingly about the tortured templar they had run into before defeating Uldred.

It was different seeing her like this. The bard was not afraid to show her emotions and she would protest whole-heartedly if disagreeing with the warden's choices. She was confident when asked to pick a locket or a pocket for that matter and she was lethal out on the battlefield, but looking at her now the Orlesian looked insecure and vulnerable. Sin studied her body. Scars covered the ribs and chest, a reflection of Sin's own scarred skin. Leliana shivered and her hand arm which Sin was still holding in her hand quivered slightly and suddenly Sin felt an inexplicable need to protect the woman standing in front of her, from her past, from all harm that had ever been done to her or might be done to her. She hesitated before pulling the arm softly, drawing the deer-eyed bard into her arms.

"Why don't you talk about it?"

"The same reason you don't," Leliana mumbled into Sin's neck.

Sin closed her eyes, the bard's faint scent of wildberries filling her senses. She would protect Leliana. Just like she had sworn she would protect Deanna a long time ago. She felt a tingling sensation run through her body, rushing through her veins, opening her eyes she broke free as she stared around them. Light-blue flames surrounded them, glowing speckles of light swirling all around them. The bard looked up, stunned by the sight. Its force increased, flames and orbs rising high towards the sky, the energy rushing through their bodies. Leliana grabbed her hand instinctively as they watched the small wonder before them. It gave a small push then shot up and disappeared into the thin air. Sinniralin stared back at Leliana still uncertain of what had just happened when the bard opened her mouth.

"Sin, look!" She led out the wrist Sin had been holding, a faint glowing sign branded the inside of her wrist. "What in the…" The bard's hand shook as Sinniralin studied it. She let it go with a low whisper.

"Saviour."

~•~

They had killed the Witch of the Wilds. The Witch of the Wilds! Wynne gave her forehead a weary stroke with the back of her hand, wiping off dirt and grime from it. It had been no small feat and Deanna had been right when she had said they needed the bard's ranged attacks, but the bard had needed to stay and help Morrigan care for…Wynne lifted her gaze staring out at the camp fire. Everyone was there save the guilder. She had distanced herself since that horrible night before they had left for the Wilds. The warden had been adamant that Sinniralin stay with them and it seemed none of them could change her mind. The templar's dislike of the situation had been obvious and the old enchantress couldn't help, but feel a little sorry for him. She had seen enough to know fear of losing someone one loved when she saw it, though eliminating Sinniralin wasn't the way to make sure he wouldn't lose the warden. This much was clear from the way the guilder and young teryness interacted with each other.

She saw the templar glare in her direction. Following his glare she noticed Sin standing behind her. When had she gotten there? By Andraste, the elf was hard to detect!

"Sinniralin," she greeted the younger woman politely.

"May I speak to you?"

"Of course, child." Sin may be a demon…or not, but Wynne had her fair share of dealing with both demons and young mages who still weren't in control of their powers. She recognized the look of confusion on the elf's face. "What is it?"

"You have been in the Circle for quite some time, yes?" The elf shifted where she stood.

"All my life, first as a student, then as Senior Enchanter, why do you ask?"

"So you must know a lot about…" The elf paused before continuing. "Abominations."

Wynne nodded. "Yes, I do."

"And you saw me. Have you ever…"

"Seen anything like you?" Wynne finished Sinniralin's question. "No, I can't say that I have. You Sinniralin have powers, great powers that I have seen no other mage or enchanter possess. Perhaps Tevinter mages have similar powers, but I have never heard of someone wielding so many of them. The mages I've heard of have been able to use one or two powers, but not like you Sinniralin."

The elf removed her hood, pulling up the sleeve of her cloak, holding out her wrist. "Do you know what this means? My knowledge of runes is very basic."

Wynne frowned. On the pale skin she could see a blood red symbol resembling a shard cutting through to lines. She looked up at the white-haired elf with a concerned expression on her face.

"It's the rune of Iobar."

"Iobar?"

"It's the rune of sacrifice," Wynne studied the elf's face. "How did you get this? This is no regular blood writing and if it was, you wouldn't be asking now about it." She could see Sinniralin glance towards her side before facing her again.

"It's complicated," she replied truthfully. Wynne sat down motioning for the elf to accompany her. She hesitated before complying.

"It is clear to me you seek my advice, but I must ask you, Sinniralin. What is it you are? I have seen many demons and abominations, but as I said earlier, nothing like you. I can help, but I must know." She heard the younger woman sigh.

"Have you ever heard of O'Leohat?"

O'Leohat? It sounded vaguely familiar. She squinted her thinking hard before remembering the book Deanna had given to her. The book which was most blasphemous if you were to believe the Chantry. Wynne wasn't sure she always did.

"Please refresh my mind," she said.

"Some people believe Andraste wasn't The Chosen One, they think she was just an unusually powerful mage."

"Yes…now I remember," Wynne said slowly as the memory of the passage in her book came back to her.

"So you've heard of her?" Sinniralin sounded surprised.

"I recently stumbled upon the name."

"So you know about her sister? That they were twin souls?" The elf looked at her with curious eyes.

"No, I've heard the theory about Andraste's past before, but I only recently learned the name."

"The forbidden lore speaks of two twins, Andraste and Aithne. One would become Anfarra, the Prophet and spiritual wife of the Maker and the other O'Leohat, the Dark Bride. Two pawns in a war that's been raging on for centuries, between the two fathers of this world. The reason both Andraste and Aithne was such powerful mages was because both she and her sister were the spawn of Tes'Hathr one of the fathers, set out to do his evil deeds. Only, she chose not to. Though her sister, O'leohat did." Sin paused before speaking again. "And O'leohat was my mother."

Wynne felt her heart stop. Tes'Hathr, the father of blood magic! She knew that name from the scrolls kept safely in First Enchanter Irving's office. Anything that had to do with Tes'Hathr wasn't just bad, it was dangerous, very dangerous. The belief in Tes'Hathr had set many good mages on a path towards death and destruction. It was nothing the Cirle or the Chantry spoke of in hopes of keeping mages from turning to blood magic. Tes'Hathr was the one equal to the Maker, the brother whom endorsed the use of magic, demons his servants, abominations his children. He who would see the world chained by dark magic, a new kingdom, a free kingdom, for blood mages, witches and anyone who possessed magic and those who didn't –turned in to the new kingdom's slaves.

"The Creator of Old Gods," she met Sinniralin's peculiar blue eyes. It all fit. If it was true that Andraste had wielded powers that few had seen before the similarities between her and the elf would be more than coincidental, but it couldn't be true. Despite her knowledge of those scrolls she had kept to her belief that they were just documents of some twisted cult the Tevinters had come up with to justify they're heinous use of magic.

"I am not just a demon, I'm more than that, I'm just not exactly sure how much more." Sinniralin looked away from her.

"You're a Felling child, are you not?" It was more a statement than anything else.

"How did you know?" The elf asked taken aback by the question.

Wynne shook her head remorsefully. So it was true. No wonder she had been able to feel the change in atmosphere when Sinniralin had stepped into the tower. She studied the white-haired elf in front of her, eyes as blue as winter's sky, skin as white as snow and regardless of what she was she showed compassion and great responsibility when it came to her powers. Could such a person really bring the downfall of the Chantry and the Maker? Could someone who fought the Blight want to see the lands overrun by the darkspawns? If the scrolls of Tes'Hathr were true, if Andraste had really been his spawn, then it proved one could decide one's own fate. If that was the case then Sinniralin could also chose her own path. Looking at her where she sat, worry and shame displayed in her youthful face Wynne decided that Sinniralin wouldn't bring chaos upon Thedas if she could help it. She stood up and went over to her tent, ruffling through her bag before returning to the quiet elf.

"This will explain things to you." Wynne handed her the book.

"What is this?" Sin asked twisting the book in her hands before she saw the title. Her mouth fell agape. "It can't be…" She looked up at Wynne. "I've been looking for this one all over Thedas."

Wynne smiled. "I figured as much. You will learn a great deal from the book, but remember, Sinniralin. You control your own fate. Just like Andraste."

~•~

Sinniralin read the passage once, twice and then a third time. The book was written in a gnarly, thin handwriting, but the words were there nonetheless, the same words that had been spoken to her by different people recently. She placed the book on the soft ground next to her where she sat in the dark, hidden behind a thick tree. She had spent nearly a decade trying to find Andraste's last prophecy, but now that she held it in her hand she wished she had never found it. Was this her task in life? Was this the sole reason she had been born? Maybe it wasn't her? Maybe it was Lesdra. There were two of them after all who could be Milleadair.

She fiddled the silver charm. It felt cold against her warm fingers and she let her fingertips run across the inscriptions on the oval surface. Embrace your fate, Sin! Lesdra's voice echoed in her mind. Realization dawned on her and she felt herself go numb. That's why it was her and not Lesdra. Her sister had pushed her over the threshold and by doing so she had embrace her father sealing her fate as the Destroyer. Lesdra must have known this. Piece after piece seemed to fall into its place and she felt herself come undone. If this was meant to be then how could she have brought a child into this world? Into a world that was to be swallowed whole by darkness, a darkness she was to bring forth. She despaired where she sat, hot, wet tears streaming down her cheeks.

"I can't even kill myself to stop it." She pounded her fist against the mossy ground. She pulled her knees up to her chin, curling her arms around them as she hid her face from the world, leaning her forehead against her knees.

"Sinniralin," the old enchantress spoke softly placing a hand on her shoulder. "You can change your fate. I've seen you. You're strong enough and you have the discipline to overcome this, but only you can do it."

She lifted her face, shoulders slouching. "And what if I don't?"

"Then I'm sure we will think of something," Wynne said smiling reassuringly at her.

"Well, you'd have to unless you want to be swarmed by pesky little darkspawns," she muttered drawing an amused chuckle from the older woman squatting next to her.

"Think of the prophecy as nonsense. From what I've seen of you, that's what I'm going to do. Now let's go back to camp before the rest wonders where we've gone to."

"I suppose you're right. Are you going to tell the rest of them?"

Wynne glanced sideways at her where they walked. "No, for now think it would be unwise."

"Thank you," Sin gave a small nod.

"And Sinniralin," the mage's voice turned serious.

"Yes?"

"Becareful of Morrigan. She is going to want to use you."

Sinniralin chuckled. "I think I wouldn't mind."

"Sinniralin! That is not what I meant, besides, we both know you'd rather have the Orlesian bard do that than the witch." Wynne smirked as they entered the camp leaving her gawking. The audacity!

~•~

The night lay still, Denerim once again veiled by the night's darkness as they crept along the rooftops like silent wraiths. Sin's cloak fluttered in the night air, the tassels twisting and turning like snakes. Leliana found it both fascinating and eerie. Being high up above the cobbled streets that wounded through the city didn't help. The elf climbed onto another roof, scuttling towards the wall of Lord Vanderline's estate. Leliana followed her best she could, still unnerved by the height of the roofs. Sinniralin led them across a maze of houses, the Drakon River running alongside them to the east. Sin took them higher and higher and Leliana found she could see across the whole city and beyond the forest line of the outskirts of Denerim. The seductress heaved herself onto a ledge before turning around holding out her hand for the bard to grab. Leliana took it, feeling a slight tingle coarse through her arm as their palms connected.

She looked up and saw the elf grinning. What now? She stood up next to Sin and felt her stomach churn with fear as she saw the balcony far below them.

"Please tell me we're not thinking of going down there," she whispered to the elf next to her.

Sin snickered a low snicker.

"Oh. Dear. Maker," Leliana wheezed. They were! She wrung her hands anxiously when she felt Sin's hand grab her by the arm turning her around.

"Are you scared?" A grin grew on the seductress' lips. Was she amused?!

"Well unlike some I'm not used to standing a hundred bloody feet up above a rock solid street!" She hissed indignantly. Sin laughed, eyes sparkling with amusement.

"It's not like we're going to jump down there," Sinniralin teased before pulling her close. "We're going to do something way more fun."

Leliana felt as if someone pressed their palms hard against her chest then jerked her forward with such force it threw her across a room. She gasped when they landed on the balcony with a loud bang. She barely had time to catch her breath before the elf grabbed her hand dragging into the sheltering shadows on a ledge next to the balcony pressing her against the cold stone wall.

She could hear the clinking of armoured guards rushing across the courtyard as they tried to detect what the loud noise had been. Leliana shuddered where she stood, Sin standing close behind her. She had never been so aware of someone's presence before, so unable to ignore it.

"Don't move," the elf whispered her breath a tender caress on the bard's neck and she found she couldn't possibly move even if she wanted to. The seductress mesmerised her and Leliana barely dared to breathe when she felt the strange connection between them grow stronger in her chest. Two guards entered the balcony, searching it for intruders, but she was hardly aware of them. Sin's faint smell of lilies enveloped her, drawing her in further as Sin placed her cheek next to hers, whispering inaudibly.

"As soon as the pass we'll slip in, get the sword and leave."

Leliana's cheek tingled at the soft touch and she turned slowly to face the seductress. Straightening herself she stared right into Sin's eyes.

"What are you..?" Sin mumbled softly when she moved closer, barley an inch away. Pulling the hood off Sin's head she let her eyes search Sin's.

"I'm not afraid of you," she whispered. They had been here before not long ago. The same city, the same situation, only this time she knew why Sin kept pushing her away, but not this time. She wouldn't let her. This time she would fight for her. She could feel the elf's feeling mingle with her own, the strong connection binding them to one another. She let her hand stroke Sin's cheek gently, never breaking eye contact and then ever so lightly she pressed her lips against Sin's. It was a careful, gentle kiss and she let her lips linger on Sin's. She stirred to move away when Sin's hands grabbed her hips, pulling her back for another kiss. She felt the seductress sweep her tongue across her lips, tasting her. She let Sin part her lips with her tongue as she clasped her face with her hands letting herself seemingly meld and become one with the seductress. She could taste the desire on the seductress' lips and tongue, feel it in the tightening grip on her hips and on how Sin pressed her up against the wall with the weight of her own body. Leliana could feel herself ache to be closer to the enchanting elf and her body whimpered in protest when Sin finally broke their kiss. She could feel the elf's chest rise and fall where they stood pressed together before Sin moved away from her, leaping on to the balcony turning to face her.

"That sword better be worth this," Sin muttered holding out her hand. Leliana giggled as she slipped down on to the balcony, hunching down low next to Sin.

"You know, they say patience is a virtue," she whispered sweetly before placing a soft kiss on the elf's exposed neck.

"Now you're just teasing me," Sin snarled, squinting her eyes at her before disappearing behind the corner.

~•~

The glass shattered as it hit the wall, thousands of tiny pieces spraying into the air before landing on the cold floor.

"How?! How could you fools loose her?! You had her in your grasp all you had to do was to kill her and release the Destroyer!" His green eyes blazed with anger as he paced back and forth in the high rising tower overlooking Minotraus, two walkers hovering next two him. The elven Daly glanced nervously at them.

"Ser, I'm sorry, but..."

"But there can be no sorry! You had the Destroyer in your grasp and you let her escape!"

"S-Ser...she was rescued."

He spun slowly, hands held composedly behind his back. "Rescued?" It wasn't a rhetorical question. The elven advisor seemed to gulp before speaking again.

"As the scrolls state..."

"You mean to say," the dark-haired man rounded his large wooden desk. "that the Destroyer was rescued by Sàbhailiche?" His voice rose as his the knuckles on his clenched fists whitened.

"Y-yes..."

"But I changed all that! I changed her past! I made sure she never made contact with the templars to give herself over to the Chantry and the Circle! I trained her to become what she is!"

"It seems you only changed on thing, Ser."

He stopped his pacing.

"It seems you only changed how they met."

"What are you Implying, Daly?"

"Master, it is fate...It is written in the prophecy."

"Then..."

"She will return one day to kill you both."

TO BE CONTINUED...