"There will be many changes, my dear,
And the reasons you may never understand,
But I assure you,
The outcome you need not fear."
August, 9:30 Dragon
Melia tossed and turned, whispers clouding her mind. A great darkness filled her head and she winced in a sickening pain. She tried to open her eyes but her eyelids ached. Her whole body seemed to tremble as she tried to fight off the burning pain that ran rolled through her bones like a thunder.
Her eyes snapped open and she sat up quickly. She wasn't in her aravel but rather a tent made of deerskin. There was a pull in her hair and she felt fingers massaging her scalp.
Out of ecstatic reaction she shut her eyes, the circular motions in her thick white hair easing the pain of her migraine. Another finger traced the line of her jaw and over her mouth.
"I trust you slept well, mon amour?"
"Jean?" Melia sharply gasped, her eyes opening once more.
He shushed her gently, his right hand firmly grasping her hair while the other paused over her neck.
"I must say it is intoxicating to the mind to think you spend so many nights dreaming of our nights here." Jean said, "I remember them fondly as well."
"Stay out of my head." Melia spat.
His hand closed around her throat, "I won't have to intrude for much longer. I'll come back for you."
"You will have to kill me first." Melia tried to pull away.
Jean pushed her to the ground, throwing himself on top of her.
"I had your mind once and I will have it again." He hissed, "There is part of you who loves me enough-"
"I would die before I gave you anything else of myself!" Melia bared her teeth, her canines sharp.
"I am the only thing keeping you alive." Jean tried to kiss her.
Melia squirmed away, kicking at him with her bare foot. She crawled away from him. Her fingers barely touched the opening to the tent before he grabbed her legs, pulling her to him.
"Stay away from me!" Melia struggled against him as he held her hands behind her.
Jean lifted her up onto himself, wrapping her legs around his waist. He held her gaze.
"Don't you see?" He asked, "You are mine. And I know you will grow to love me the way I love you."
Melia put all the force she could into headbutting him, hearing a crack. Jean fell back and held his nose. Melia turned and scrambled to open the tent.
"Melia!" Jean called.
As soon as Melia touched the grass outside of the tent everything around her disappeared. Her whole body felt light and heavy all at once. She saw her hair flying up into the air and yet she never felt as if she were falling.
Her lungs felt as if they were seizing and she gasped for breath. She was still on her hands and knees, and her fingers felt as if there was dirt between them. She squeezed her hand, the blackness of the void crumbling like rich dirt.
"Mamae?" A child voice called.
"Ivor?" Melia stood up, "Ivor!" She looked all around.
"Mamae!" Ivors cries echoed around her.
Melia began to breathe heavily, feeling herself pull away from her nightmare. Her son needed her, and she had to be there for him.
She struggled, for how long she didn't know, but suddenly she could hear the sounds of the dalish camp around her. Ivor calling her into consciousness. Her migraine rooted itself into her brain.
When she finally felt dull enough to the pain to open her eyes, she could see she was in Ashalle's tent. She rolled to her side, staving off the wave of nausea.
Ivor had been lying next to her, his tiny fingers curled into her hair. He looked up into her peridot eyes and smiled.
"Mamae!" He laughed, his hand touching her sweating face.
Melia still felt feverish, but she moved to kiss her son's forehead.
"Hello, my son." Melia said weakly, her eyes filled with tears.
"You look good, old mum."
Melia looked up and saw Thackery lying in his bed, the same feverish affliction upon him. Argo was at his feet, his tail wagging up and down.
"Are you alright?" Melia asked, sitting up and finding Larka on the floor next to her. The wolf whined when she saw her companion.
"Better than you I suppose. You've been out a day longer than I have." Thackery told her, getting up onto his side.
"Where is Tamlen?"
Thackery's face sank, "Oh, Melly…"
"Thackery?"
"Fenarel told me every single hunter is out looking for him. Everyone." Thackery sighed, "And there's...a Grey Warden...he found us outside the cave."
Tenaciously, Melia got to her feet, her whole body trembling. She pushed away the feeling and went to open the flap of the aravel.
"Melia, what in the Creators name-" Thackery sprung up to hold his cousin back, "You've only just awoken."
"I have to find him, Thackery." Melia started to cry, "Tamlen is probably all alone, dying."
Ivor called from Melia's bed, "Mamae." And he held his arms up.
"Please." Thackery begged, "Ivor don't need to lose you too…"
Melia wiped the tears from her eyes, going over to Ivor to hold him close. She set him on her hip.
"We must speak to the Keeper." Melia said.
"I already told her what I could, lethallan, trust me." Thackery said to her, "But she would be relieved to see you're awake." He held open the door for her.
The sunlight blinded her for a moment, she felt like screaming in agony, but she waited for her eyes to adjust. The wolves followed after them.
They could see that Fenarel had been waiting outside. When he saw them he lept to his feet.
"You're awake!" He said excitedly.
"Fen, please summon the Keeper." Thackery asked.
"Of course." Fenarel practically jumped away.
Ivor held close to his mother, grasping at her hair and babbling about his ventures while she had been asleep.
It hadn't been gone long until Melia saw the Keeper rushing towards her, her eyes lined with concern.
"Than Creators you're awake, Melia'nain. It is fortunate Duncan and his friends found you when he did." The Keeper said, "I know not what dark power held you two, but it nearly bled the life from you. it was difficult to keep you alive, even with my magic." She looked between Thackery and Melia.
"Duncan said he suspected darkspawn?" Thackery questioned.
"Indeed." The Keeper nodded, "And I'm afraid, da'len, that whatever you mentioned of the mirror still puts my mind at ill ease."
Melia felt useless, hear head swam and she felt like she needed to sleep. The thought of Tamlen out there, all alone, made her stomach churn..
The Keeper turned back to Melia, "Duncan and his companions returned to the cave to search for darkspawn, but we cannot rely on them to look for Tamlen as well. We must go ourselves, and quickly." She sighed again and set her and on Melia's shoulder, "Do you feel well enough to show us the way?"
"Yes." Melia said hoarsely.
"Melly, no!" Thackery demanded, "You have been sick for days! And still are!"
"If there is a chance to find Tamlen I must take it." Melia snapped.
"Well then if you are going I will too." Thackery insisted.
The Keeper shifted in her stance but uttered no refusal.
"Very well," The Keeper said, "I am ordering the clan to pack up camp so we can go north. Take Merrill with you to the cave. Find Tamlen, if you can, but do it swiftly."
"We are leaving?" Melia was in disbelief, "We just got here."
"If there is any truth to what Duncan said, darkspawn may show up in these parts soon. We must get away from the horde." Then she changed her tone, "Did you encounter and humans in the forest?"
Thackery rubbed his neck, "About that, Keeper-"
"Yes, Keeper," Melia said quickly, "But we just drove them off." She shot a glance at Thackery to quiet himself.
"Though you did nothing wrong, the nearby village is rising up and forcing us to move." The Keeper said sadly, "As everywhere our people are not welcome. We must move on-quickly."
"I understand, Keeper." Melia said quietly.
"Good, now hurry. Creators watch you." The Keeper walked away.
"You just lied." Thackery whispered.
"Not now, Thackery!" Melia hissed, she stormed off to find Ashalle. Larka closely followed.
Fenarel ran up to Thackery when Melia walked off.
"Is the Keeper sending you to find Tamlen? To go back to that cave?" He asked.
"Yes," Thackery said, "We're taking Merrill."
"I want to go with you." He said, "I want to help." He touched his forehead to Thackery's.
"I won't fight you, Fenarel. But we're asking the Keeper first." Thackery sighed, "For Mel's sake at least. She's already on edge."
"Always a one for the rules that one." Fenarel chuckled, "But if it's what you want." He kissed Thackery.
Reluctantly, the Keeper gave her blessing for Fenarel to travel with the others. Both of them met up with Merrill who had been awkwardly standing with Melia.
"Well, Fenarel is coming with us as well. The Keeper already gave us her blessing." Thackery said quickly, "So no arguing."
Fenarel gave a small wave.
"Fine. As long as the Keeper is alright with it." Merrill sighed, "We should go. You can explain to us what you encountered on the way there."
Thackery regaled what little he could remember to Fenarel and Merrill, who exchanged uneasy glances. The wolves followed the group, nearly tripping their masters they had been so close.
"Where is Samahl?" Thackery looked around.
"She and Revas were with mamae when I took Ivor to her." Melia told him, "They are staying at the camp."
"I see…"
Eventually they came to the spot where they had met the shems.
"It shouldn't be too far from here." Melia said.
"We should keep our eyes open for any signs of Tamlen then." Fenarel said.
Melia nodded solemnly, not saying a word. Her eyes began to hurt. Thackery went to her side.
"Are you alright?" He asked.
"You do look a little pale." Merrill remarked.
"I'm fine." Melia kept walking.
They went a little further into the forest, where the trees began to bow as if creating an archway. Melia stopped.
"Do you hear something?" She asked quietly, taking out her daggers.
Fenarel grabbed his shield and unsheathed his sword, "Is that...growling?" He asked.
Up ahead, the three could see strange and decrepit figures, their mouths bloodied and teeth sharp.
"By the Creators…" Merrill gasped.
The creatures looked up to see the group. There were only two, but they were horrifyingly disgusting, eating the remains of the dead halla. Melia felt tears in her eyes. As the creatures rushed towards them, blood dripping with black saliva, she ran to meet them. Thackery not too far behind her.
Merrill sent a blast of cold towards one, freezing it solid. Fenarel shattered it with his shield. Melia met the other creature head on, going for it's throat with her dagger. She kicked it in the stomach, driving her blades into the back of it's rotting head, pulling the daggers out with ease. Black blood spattered on her sickly face. She pushed the creature to the side with disgust.
Thackery stepped away from her, never seeing his cousin so overcome with a rage.
"Lethallan, are you alright?" Thackery asked, sheathing his daggers.
Larka pawed at Melia's leg in concern, to which Melia answered with a pat on the head.
Merrill wiped the blood from Melia's face, "Mel…" She said softly.
"They were darkspawn." Melia spat.
Merrill looked down at it, "You can smell their evil." She shuddered, "Did you have to fight them before?"
Melia shook her head, "They probably have something to do with that damned mirror. Creator's curse it." She shook Merrill off, sheathing her daggers and walking ahead.
"I couldn't see if she was hurt…" Merrill whispered to Fenarel.
Thackery sighed, "She wouldn't tell us even if she was." Then he added, "I'll keep an eye on her, Merrill. No way am I letting her get hurt."
"Alright…"
Melia walked back over to them, "There is a camp up ahead, I think it belongs to the shem and his companions."
"We must be close them." Fenarel said.
"Wait…" Thackery said quickly.
The four were silent.
"Can you hear that?" He asked Melia.
Melia listened, "The forest...it is silent."
Merrill nodded, "Something unnatural is here…"
"Tamlen said he felt the same thing in the cave." Melia said.
"And now it's affecting the forest? Perhaps that mirror unleashed something. A sort of sickness. That would not be good…" Merrill said to her.
"Then we need to hurry." Fenarel said.
Melia nodded in agreement, then turned and walked on.
Thackery pulled his dagger from the skull of a genlock. It's eyes had wobbled as it fell to the ground. Melia watched it as it fell, her mouth twisted in a disgusted snarl.
"Is that the last of them?" Merrill asked, holding her staff close to her, looking upon the carnage that lay on the cave floor.
"Who even knows anymore…" Melia sighed, she looked at the door that led to the room with the mirror, "It is in that room." She said absently.
"Are you alright, Thackery?" Fenarel asked, wiping blood from his sword. He knew how Thackery felt about mirrors, and wasn't too keen on seeing Thackery in a state of panic.
"You don't have to go inside if you don't want to." Merrill said.
Melia ignored them all and pushed the door open. They were met with a blast of frigid air, a great gusting wind whirling around the room. It finally settled and the elves could see the evil form of the mirror. Before it was a tall man, sheathing a dagger behind him. A small brunette elf, she still held her hands out before her, an awkward grimace lining her freckled face. When she noticed the three Dalish, the wisps of cold around her hands disappeared and she stood up straight, fixing her mage robes. She tilted her head when she looked at Melia, then back to the redheaded elf in green robes.
The redhead grinned when she saw Melia and Thackery.
"Andaran atish'an, Melia'nain." She said, seemingly excited, "Thackery." She nodded towards the other.
Melia narrowed her eyes, "Do I know you?" She asked.
"Right, right," The mage sucked air through her teeth, "I'm Eshne. And this is Duncan." She pointed to the man, who was looking at the mirror, "This is my sister Nani, the one who almost froze you to bits and pieces. And those two over there pulling their blades out of darkspawn are Nicolai and Nennet. They're good people."
Nennet sheathed her rapier, scoffing when she saw the four dalish.
Duncan turned, "So you were the ones fighting darkspawn. I thought I heard combat." He walked to greet Melia as she came to him. He seemed surprised, "You're the elves I found wandering the forest. I'm surprised you've recovered."
"If you are indeed the man who took my cousin and I to our clan, I thank you." Melia said.
"You owe me no thanks," Duncan said, "The Grey Wardens have long been allies with the Dalish." He then added, "I hope your Keeper did not send you after me, I told her we would be in no danger."
"I am afraid not," Thackery sighed, "We are searching for...our clan member. Tamlen."
"You two and your friend Tamlen both entered this cave then? And you found this mirror?" Duncan asked.
Melia sighed, her head started to throb, "Tamlen...touched the mirror. After that I-we blacked out." Melia admitted.
"This mirror is Tevinter in origin," Duncan began, "Used for communication. Over time some simply break. This one must have been tainted, drawing darkspawn to it. Tamlen's touch must have released it. It is what made you two sick-Tamlen, too, I presume."
"Then…" Melia looked at the mirror, hearing whispers coming from it, "If this mirror is truly dangerous, it should be destroyed."
"Be rid of the Creators damned thing." Thackery spat.
"I couldn't agree more." Duncan said.
"But…" Merrill began, "We could indeed learn much from the markings on this mirror. Much of our past has been lost."
"Merrill…" Melia snapped. Thackery shot a glare.
"As long as the mirror exists, it will continue to infect others," Duncan said, he looked to Melia and Thackery, "As it is, I can still sense you two have the sickness in you. Your recovery is temporary. The sickness is spreading."
"What?" Merrill whispered.
"What must we do?" Melia asked, seemingly unphased.
"We can discuss your situation back at your camp. Right now we must destroy this mirror. It is a danger to all those around it." Duncan said, turning to the mirror.
He pulled out his sword. Merrill turned away just as he crashed his blade into the glass. The mirror shattered, and Melia could feel that the tightness to the air around her began to release. Thackery gave a sigh of relief, putting his hand on Melia's shoulder.
Duncan walked back to the others, Eshne warily stepped closer to him. She pulled Nani close to her.
"It is done. And now we must leave. I must speak to your Keeper regarding your cure." Duncan said.
"What about Tamlen?" Melia begged, "He could still be here."
Duncan sighed, "There is nothing we can do."
"You lie!" Melia growled.
"I assure you, I do not." Duncan said.
"He…" Melia couldn't speak.
"I'm sorry, Melly…" Thackery held her.
"There must be something we can do." Fenarel said.
"Let me be very clear," Duncan said, "There is nothing you can do for him. He has been tainted for days now, unaided. It is a miracle you even survived."
"His body?" Melia asked.
Duncan was silent for a moment, "The-The darkspawn would have taken it."
"Why?" Fenarel asked.
"Darkspawn are evil creatures…" Duncan said, "It's best to just leave it at that."
Melia felt faint, her legs wobbled and she almost fell. Thackery grabbed her up.
"C'mon, lethallan," He said gently, "We'll just get you back to the Keeper."
"Tamlen…" Melia whispered.
"I know," Thackery held her up, "We've done the best we can."
Merrill helped lead Melia away. Duncan and Eshne followed with the other recruits, not looking back as the last few dark whispers left the broken glass of the mirror.
Melia sat on a log overlooking the halla pen. The Keeper was still talking with Duncan, and Hahren Paivel was preparing a funeral service for Tamlen. She had not wanted to speak to anyone, but she felt someone come over to her to sit. An arm draped around her. She could smell the vanilla oils Ashalle rubbed into her hair, and she felt slightly comforted. Ivor toddled over to sit in his mother's lap. He was disappointed to see she had pulled her hair into a tight bun.
"I am sorry, mamme." Melia started to cry, holding her son close.
"Oh, da'len," Ashalle pet Melia's head, "You've nothing to apologize for, my sweet baby." She was silent for a while, holding Melia while she cried. When Melia was only sniffling, Ashalle spoke, "All that time you two were ill, and the Keeper not knowing if you were going to live…I'd been outside the Keeper's tent the whole time. I was so relieved when she said you were going to pull through…" Her voice trailed off, "Melia'nain, I am so sorry about Tamlen."
"I should've done something, mammae. He was so scared." Melia said, tears falling down her flushed cheeks once more.
"You did all you could. I know how much you two cared for each other. It was always my hope that you two...well, let's not dwell on that."
They sat in silence for a while. Thackery had come over with cool drinks, Larka and Argo in his wake. The wolves sat in the grass as Thackery sat next to Melia.
"I think Ivor and I will give prayers to Ghilan'nain." Melia excused herself, carrying her son on her hip, Larka followed close behind. Ashalle waited until they left to scold Thackery.
"And you!" Ashalle seethed, "Letting your sick cousin go out into the forest-"
"It wasn't my choice!" Thackery groaned, "And I was sick too, mamae…"
Ashalle sighed, "I know, da'len...I know. Oh both of your parents would kill me for this." she shook her head.
Thackery's ears pricked up.
"My parents?"
Ashalle's face paled, "What?"
Thackery smirked, "Ashalle, you've never spoken of my parents."
"Now is not the time, Thackery" Ashalle huffed, crossing her arms and looking out at the halla.
Thackery threw his arms up, "When will it be?"
Ashalle gave a great huff, "I suppose it is only fair, now that I told Melia'nain of her mother and father...I just...I was waiting for the right time to tell you. It's a very sad tale what happened to your parents."
She began, "Your mother was always reckless, like you. She never liked to be told what to do, much to the chagrin of her brother, our Keeper and Melia's father. Isis and I were out on patrol when we got separated. When I found her she had been fighting with someone. I was about to step in when they had stopped. Isis kicked him away and we ran off. Osiris heard the news and told Isis to stay close to camp. Being your mother she didn't listen. So I kept a close watch.
"We were sitting by the river one night and there he was again. The young man Isis had fought only just days before. Curiosity got the best of her and she went off with him. I kept their affair in secret for months. By the time Osiris discovered them your mother was already showing her pregnancy. I wanted him to fly into a rage, but he didn't. Osiris was always like that.
"Your father came to the camp only twice. The first was to be there when you were born. And not long after he came to help us bury Osiris. Only days before Melia was born, Marethari assumed rank as Keeper. The elders wanted your mother exiled. She gave the greatest speech I had ever had the privilege to hear. In the end, she begged for her child to grow up with the Dalish ways. Her price was that she was to be sent away forever."
Thackery looked to the ground, silent for a long time until he finally asked.
"Why was she sent away?"
"Oh, Thackery...your father was a shem."
Thackery froze. His head swirled and he steadied himself.
"I'm...I'm only half…" He held his stomach, feeling lied to.
Ashalle held him to her, "I'm sorry, da'len."
Thackery pushed her away, storming off.
Ashalle sighed to herself, putting her head in her hands.
Melia had been kneeling before the statue of Ghilan'nain with Ivor. She taught him the proper prayer and what to offer the goddess. Then she pulled out her heirloom necklace, having taken it from the chest her mother left her.
"This is very sacred to us, Ivor," Melia explained, pulling the necklace around to clasp it so it hung just above her diaphragm, "It was your grabae who once wore this." She showed him the wooden beads, and then the ornate pendant of a Tree of Life.
Ivor grabbed at the necklace, but with a surprising gentility.
"We must honor those we have lost in our past, and remember their great deeds. Like Ghilan'nain." Melia held her hands out to the statue and prayed.
"Creators greet them in the Beyond." She finished.
"Mamae." Ivor grabbed for her.
"I know, da'len." She picked up her son, "Let me change into my clothes and you can have supper."
Melia started walking back to camp when Thackery practically ran into her. He grabbed her shoulders with tears in his eyes.
"Lethallin, what is wrong? Did someone hurt you?" Melia checked him for wounds.
"Oh, Mel." Thackery wrapped her in an embrace, Ivor innocently giggling because his uncle was there.
"What happened?" Melia took Thackery's chin with her free hand.
Thackery wiped away his tears, still sniffling as he spoke.
"I'm so afraid, Melly. Ashalle...she told me my father...he was a shem. And it's all coming down on me that's the reason the whole clan never accepted me. Or why the Keeper never gave me my vallaslin…" Thackery held his chest, his heart aching.
Melia pulled him in for another embrace, unsure of what to say.
"Did you know?" He asked her, "About my parents?"
"No, lethallin."
Her answer seemed to calm him for the moment. He wiped his face once more.
"I can't believe this…"
Melia frowned, "Hush your words, Thackery. I will not have you in despair of your bloodline while my own son, who is just as much a half elf as you, is in your presence." She gave Thackery a quick kiss on the cheek, "I will have you know that I hold you closest to my heart, nothing changes that."
"Ma seran-Thank you." Thackery cleared his throat. He smiled at Ivor, the child oblivious as to what had been said.
"Come, lethallin, I think we could all do with full stomachs." Melia suggested.
Thackery nodded and followed her into camp, avoiding the gaze of those they passed. He felt now that there was a renewed hatred in all of them, or maybe it had always been there.
They came to the main campsite, Melia gathering bowls of food for the two of them.
The four companions that Duncan had brought were sitting off to the side, eating their own provisions. Thackery pretended not to notice the taller elf had been glancing over at him.
Melia's arms had grown tired, and when she set Ivor down he set off running towards the recruits.
"Ivor!" Melia ran after him, scooping him up just as he was about to reach for Eshne's braid.
The child had startled her, but when she saw him she couldn't help but give a hearty laugh.
"Ir abelas." Melia gave a curt bow.
"No need for apologies." Eshne said.
"He is not used to strangers." Melia felt her face growing hot, "It will not happen again."
Eshne took two forefingers of her right hand and placed them to her forehead, "Melia, ir abelas, mir falon. Ma vhenan numin sul Tamlen." She then held her hand to her heart and extended it to Melia.
Melia's ears twitched, a familiarity growing between them.
"I thank you." Melia said, she turned back towards the camp. She stopped only for a second, shook her head and then returned to her cousin.
Nennet looked up from her food, "What did you say?"
Eshne's ears fluttered in excitement, "I've been away from my clan for quite some time, but I still remember what we say to those who have lost their loved ones. Among other things."
"You're Dalish?" Nennet asked.
"Once." Eshne nodded, "And these were my people. But I am told by many elders that my parents left the clan not long after I was taken to the Circle."
"I'm sorry." Nennet frowned.
"No need," Eshne grinned, "It is indeed good to see old friends. Though Thackery is more somber than I remember. And oddly enough Melia used to have hair as black as a raven's feather. I like the white, it suits her."
"What?" Nani looked up from nursing her wounds.
"I didn't call your name." Eshne raised her brow.
"Oh." Nani nodded, returning to her poultice.
Nicolai, who had been quiet most of the journey, stood at attention.
"Duncan is finally done talking to their Keeper." He said.
"We must be off soon." Nennet set her food aside.
The four recruits went over to Duncan, finding that Melia and Thackery were in the middle of a sobering conversation. Thackery was stone faced when he turned to leave, going back towards their aravel.
"We will not return?" Melia asked, her eyes glossed over.
"I'm afraid not. A Grey Wardens duty takes them to many places. The darkspawn are a constant threat." Duncan told her, "And I would not have offered this is I did not think you two would make exceptional wardens. The fact you still live is proof of that."
Melia felt a lump in her throat, "My son…" She looked over to Ashalle, who was feeding Ivor a bottle of halla milk.
"He will be in great care, Melia'nain," The Keeper told her, "Rest your heart, and know he is loved by all of our clan."
"He needs his mother." Melia said.
"He will not have a mother if you do not seek your cure." Duncan reminded her, "This is for the best."
"Then if I must. I will join, and Thackery as well." Melia said quietly.
"Then I welcome you to our order. Very rarely are we blessed with a Dalish warden, but when we are they always serve with distinction." Duncan said.
"I know you'll do your clan proud da'len." The Keeper held out her hand, "Take this ring,. It is your heritage and will protect you from the darkness to come."
"That is quite a valuable gift," Duncan said, "So. Are you ready to go?" He asked.
Melia felt a lump in her throat, "I suppose it would be too much to ask if I could at least stay for Tamlen's funeral, and to kiss my son one last time? I would not beg you to stay for the dances."
"We have much ground to cover," Duncan said, "But I cannot deny you that. Say your goodbyes, then we must be off." He summoned the recruits, who were standing awkwardly to the side, to tell of their new companion.
As agreed, Duncan let Melia and Thackery stay for Tamlen's funeral. It was her that placed the oak seed in the ground over his few possessions. Few songs were sung, Melia didn't have the heart to sing, instead she stood and stared at the spot where she buried the seed, hoping that Tamlen's spirit would help it to grow strong and good. She held onto her son and whispered a long goodbye, one that confused him and made him well up with tears.
Thackery left during the singing, wanting nothing more of the Dalish. Instead he gathered his things, gave Ivor and Ashalle a long hug, and stood off quietly with the other recruits.
When Paivel lit the pyre, Duncan motioned for the recruits to leave. But before she could, Ivor ran to hug Melia's leg.
"Mamae, mamae!" He cried, holding onto her greaves, "Up!"
"Ivor, no, da'len." Melia held back her tears, "Go to gramae, my sweet one."
"Mamae!" Ivor held up his arms.
Ashalle raced over to pick up the boy, but Melia had swept him up in her arms, kissing his face.
Ashalle had to pull them away, knowing Melia had to leave.
"Ir abelas, Ivor." Melia backed away, still holding his tiny hand for as long as she could.
Thackery put a hand on her shoulder, motioning for her to follow.
Melia looked at Ivor, "Ar lath, da'vhenan." She took her hand away.
Thackery held onto her as they walked away, feeling Melia dying slowly each time her son called for her. He could feel each clan member looking on, feeling their intense gaze staring into them.
And he didn't look back.