Chapter 43: True Treasure

The wardens and their companions traveled east toward the Brecilian Forest. They hoped it wouldn't be difficult to find the Dalish Elves, but the forest encompassed the entire eastern portion of Ferelden and the elves could be anywhere. The days they spent traveling to the forest were mostly uneventful, although they had the occasional surges of darkspawn and a few bandits.

Once they entered the forest they all became uneasy. The undergrowth was thick and the canopy of leaves allowed little sunlight to reach the ground. It would be all too easy for someone to hide along the road and attack them suddenly. Aeden was looking far down the road when something moved and caught his attention. Luckily, he was able to call everyone's attention to the movement, so they all realized that it was one of the elves they were seeking, rather than a bandit or assassin. As they drew closer, the wardens realized there were several elven hunters waiting for them.

"Stop right there, outsider. The Dalish have camped in this spot. I suggest you go elsewhere, and quickly." The hunters' leader glared at them suspiciously.

"Actually, I've been looking for the Dalish." Aeden tried to look relaxed and non-threatening, knowing the history between elves and humans had been contentious.

"I find that hard to believe. What business could we Dalish have with a group like yours?" The elves kept their gazes on the group, their bows ready to shoot in a spit second.

Aeden straightened his back. "I am a Grey Warden. I wish to speak to your leader."

"A Grey Warden? How do I know you're telling the truth?" The leader of the hunters sneered as he spoke."

"You will have to take my word on it," Aeden said confidently.

The hunter snorted. "I suppose that a lie wouldn't gain you much benefit. I shall take you to the keeper."

With a silent nod at the hunter, Aeden motioned for his group to follow as the hunter led them on a narrow path through the brush. The path led to a large clearing where the elves had set up their camp. Delia had always appreciated the elven ways, and had visited many Dalish camps in Antiva. For some reason, the Antivan Dalish seemed much friendlier than this particular clan. The clans she had met previously were certainly leery of humans, but usually were won over quickly as soon as the humans and elves shared stories. She found herself feeling very self-conscious and wondered how long it would take for this group to trust her own group.

The hunters asked the wardens' group to leave their cart, horses and the majority of their people in a field at the edge of their own group. Aeden asked Alistair and Delia to accompany him to meet the Keeper, leaving the others as they were watched over by a group of wary hunters.

The leader of the hunting party led the three to an elf who was much older than the others. His manner of dress set him apart as well; his ceremonial robe seemed almost out of place among the practical armor of the other members of his clan.

He introduced himself as the clan's keeper, Zathrian, and was surprised to find the wardens treating him with respect. The wardens discussed the Blight with him, and although he had sensed the corruption, he explained that his clan was not in a position to help the wardens. His people were being systematically attacked by cursed werewolves, under the leadership of one they called Witherfang. He explained the symptoms his people suffered from after being bitten, and how they needed to destroy Witherfang in order to end the curse and save his people.

Aeden and Alistair were willing to help the keeper with his clan's troubles because they desperately needed the elves to help fight the Blight, so they readily agreed to search for Witherfang. Delia offered to help nurse the afflicted. She felt there might be potions she had learned in Antiva that could help alleviate the people's suffering and buy them time.

Zathrian introduced the three humans to his second, Lanaya. As he took Aeden and Alistair aside to draw a map of the forest for them, Lanaya brought Delia to her aravel where she kept her supplies. Entering the aravel, Delia was amazed. Lanaya had collected and dried every herb Delia had ever learned about, except for the few only found outside of Ferelden. Delia reached into her own pack and brought out samples of several herbs Lanaya did not have.

"These herbs may be of help for your people. This one here is from Seheron, the land where our Qunari friend, Sten, is from. It is used to help the body heal itself and is a useful additive for healing potions. This other is from Antiva, where my elven friend, Zevran, is from. It is used as an additive to lower fevers. Both are very potent, so we will only need small amounts, usually one small leaf per dosage."

"Thank you, warden. I must admit that I am… surprised to find a human offering to help us. Most of your kind would, at best, ignore us, but unfortunately many seek to harm us. May I ask why you are so… forthcoming?" Lanaya looked wary, almost as though she expected Delia to attack at any moment.

Delia smiled at the elf sadly. "First, please know that I am a warden recruit, not a full warden. I have not taken my joining yet, but will as soon as I can. I know the history between our two peoples, especially here in Ferelden, is terrible. Please know that not all humans feel that elves are beneath them. Many, such as me, believe that all races are equal, and the ways some humans in Ferelden behave is not the way all humans behave here or in other countries. I, myself, have spent a large part of my life in Antiva. There, the elves and the humans are nearly equivalent. I will not lie to you and say they are completely equal, for the nobles are all human, but the other levels of society are intermingled."

"Are all elves free in Antiva? Do they own land and travel as they please?"

Delia sadly shook her head. "Not all elves are free, but then again, not all humans are free either. There is slavery in Antiva. As a matter of fact, Zevran was sold as a slave himself. His masters believe him dead, and should they discover he lives they will send others to kill him."

Lanaya was shocked. "Why would a slave master wish to murder their slave? I understand if you seek to free him, but couldn't you merely buy him from his owner and release him?"

"Unfortunately, Zev was sold to a group called the Antivan Crows. They are a group of master assassins. He was sent to kill the wardens, actually, and his failure means his death. They would have expected him to die in the assassination attempt, but since we spared him, the crows will try to kill him instead."

Lanaya was surprised. "Why did you spare him? He tried to kill you, and he is an elf. Do your companions look upon elves as benevolently as you do?"

"I cannot speak for my friends, but I have never seen them act in a way where they thought any differently of a person due to their race. Grey Wardens, in particular, accept everyone equally. I was the one who asked for Zev to be spared. It is a long story, but he had saved my life prior to his attempt on the wardens. He is a good friend to me, and has proven himself to everyone else." With a chuckle and a warm smile, Delia continued. "However, I must warn you about him – he is quite a… lecherous personality. He flirts unmercifully, but I assure you he is harmless."

Lanaya smiled back. "I know quite a few men who behave the same way. Might I warn you about our Sarel, the storyteller? I would be surprised if he doesn't flirt with you before you and your companions leave."

Delia laughed and assured Lanaya she would watch for him. After the two agreed to meet again the following morning, Delia left the aravel to find her companions. As she wandered through the elven camp she found a young man, staring sadly into the campfire. She walked up to him and put her hand on his shoulder, startling him.

"Err… hello." He looked terrified as he stood quickly.

"There's no need to be afraid of me." She smiled warmly at the man, trying to reassure him.

"Of course. I'm- I'm very sorry, it's just that… we don't get many visitors. Like you. I mean. Of your kind." He put his face into the palm of his hand in embarrassment. "I didn't mean it like that. Can I start again? My name is Cammen."

Delia grasped his arm in a warrior's handshake. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Cammen." Images swirled through her head as she saw his past. "A very pleasant childhood, learning how to hunt from his parents… nothing truly out of the ordinary… met a girl who took his breath away, quite literally, but although she seemed to return his feelings she refused him because he wasn't a full-fledged hunter yet. His sadness overwhelmed him, and he couldn't complete his hunt, and now he is not allowed to enter the forest for hunting. What a sweet young man… he deserves to be happy, but what can I do for him?"

"So, Cammen, I couldn't help but notice how… sad you looked just now. Is there something I can help you with?" She smiled warmly at him, making him shift uneasily from one foot to the other.

"I… shouldn't be talking about this with an outsider. You wouldn't understand."

She placed her hand on his shoulder softly. "Try me. I might surprise you."

He looked into her eyes, and seeing her gentle demeanor he nodded his head and started to spill his feelings for his love, Gheyna. She refused to 'bond' with him because he was so far unable to bring her a pelt from his own kill. In the eyes of his clan, he was not a man until he had hunted his own kill and had a pelt to show for it, but with the werewolves attacking Zathrian forbade the hunters from entering the woods. He feared another man would claim her for their own wife, and he felt helpless.

"Let me talk to her on your behalf. I can be pretty persuasive."

"But why would you care about me? Surely you have far more important things to take care of."

"I have a soft spot in my heart for a handsome man in love," she said with a wink before she started off toward Gheyna.

When she reached the young elven woman, Delia introduced herself and explained her conversation with Cammen. Gheyna was very polite, but repeated exactly what she had told Cammen, that she could not bond with him because if he were not a proper hunter he would be unable to provide for their family.

"If you love him, believe in him and help him succeed. Love has a way of giving you strength when nothing else seems to work, and I bet it would work wonders for him to know you are there for him, no matter what."

Gheyna looked at her with wonder in her eyes. "You sound as if you have firsthand knowledge."

Delia smiled and blushed. "I do indeed. The man I love has… grown so much since I first met him. He has become decisive and courageous. There is a saying among my people, that behind every successful man is a strong woman. Be his strength, and I believe he will prove to you that as soon as he is allowed to go into the woods, he will reward your belief with success. He loves you with his entire heart, Gheyna. Such love is rare, and should be treasured."

The elf looked at her in awe. "I think you're right. Excuse me, please. I must find Cammen now." She started to leave, but turned back and hugged Delia. "Thank you for helping me see this another way. I am so happy!" She smiled and ran off, toward the fire where Cammen was sitting.

Delia didn't know that her conversation with Gheyna was being overheard by two particular people. Alistair had been looking for her, and when he noticed her talking to the young girl he leaned against a nearby tree. Her words about treasuring love warmed his heart. "Soon, my love, your belief in me will be rewarded… I hope!"

The other person lurked in the shadows. Zevran had overheard both the conversation with Cammen and then he followed her to Gheyna. Love was foreign to him. He heard Delia's words about being the strength behind the man and treasuring love and he found himself wishing that he were the object of her affections. Of course, he understood full well that her love was for the Templar, but still... If only he were not a whoreson, perhaps he would have had a chance. "Fate is such a tricky whore… my dear Delia, I wish someone could see me the way you see your Templar. You almost make me believe in love, but it is not something for Zevran. I had my chance, and I ruined it, just as I ruin everything I touch." He turned away and remained in the shadows until he was back at his companion's fire.