Chapter 45: Highs and Lows

Dusty pranced along at Delia's side as she walked toward Lanaya's aravel. The mabari was enjoying the crisp morning air and he seemed to have more energy than usual. Autumn was fully upon them now, and the trees were losing their leaves, much to Dusty's delight. He chased the leaves as they blew across the field, leaving Delia laughing at his puppy-like antics.

Once they arrived at the aravel, Delia knocked on the door. Lanaya opened it and beckoned the human to enter.

"Aneth ara, Delia. I'm glad you are here. I need to make the potions and poultices for the day and can use your help, if you don't mind."

"That's what I'm here for, Lanaya. I'll be more than happy to help." She smiled warmly at the elf and immediately started to work.

It didn't take long before the two women finished making the mixtures and left the aravel to nurse the sick. Most of the elves were extremely feverish, and they were barely aware of who was giving them their healing potions. There were several, however, who still were aware, and they looked at Delia with expressions of surprise, fear, or anger.

One of these elves was a man named Galien. Delia walked over to his cot and knelt at his side while she placed a poultice on his forehead to ease his fever. He looked at her with an expression of combined surprise and anger, and he didn't hold his tongue.

"What is this? A human… taking care of an elf? Whatever did I do to deserve such special treatment?" He sneered at her, earning a simple smile back from the woman.

"I am simply here to help, ser. It matters not to me who you are, simply that you are sick and need someone to help you live." She gently smoothed the poultice while she retained her calm demeanor.

"Why would a shem help here? What is it you want? Looking' for new slaves?"

"I assure you, my good man, this lovely lady has no use for slaves. As a matter of fact, she is more of a savior of slaves than an enslaver. I know from experience." Zevran appeared behind her, smiling broadly at Delia as he spoke. "I would hope that you would show her the same modicum of respect she shows you, or I shall have need to teach you how to be respectful."

She looked up at Zevran with a small frown. "Please, Zev, there is no need to be angry at him. He is merely speaking from his own experience. I hope that, perhaps, I can change his mind about my people and prove that we are not all the shameful creatures he has met in the past."

"Bah, he is simply being rude because he can, and you are allowing it." He glared at the sick elf. "This woman is a Grey Warden recruit, but more than that she is a good and honest person. You will be civil, or your keeper shall hear of it."

She looked at Zevran with the sweetest smile she could muster. "Zev, would you please go into Lanaya's aravel and get some more healing poultices for me? I am running out." She stood to move to the next person, smiling at Gailen before she left his side. "If there is anything you need, ser, please don't hesitate to ask. I will be back later to check on you."

Lanaya watched the exchange with interest. It seemed that no matter how much Gailen tried to upset the human, she simply took his venom in her stride. She watched as Delia moved to the next person, a woman named Stolia, who also hated humans vehemently. Stolia had watched Delia as she tended to Gailen, and Lanaya wanted to see what her elven friend would say to Delia.

"How are you feeling today?" Delia smiled warmly at Stolia as she unraveled a health poultice.

"About the same as yesterday. I suppose that's good." The elf looked uneasy. "May I ask you a question?"

"Of course." Her eyes met the elves as she began to smooth the poultice on her forehead.

"Why are you helping us? I… don't mean to disrespect you," her eyes looked past Delia, searching for Zevran, "but humans just don't help elves. It just isn't something they do."

Delia smiled. "Not all humans think that elves are beneath them. I know there are many that do, especially her in Ferelden, but I have spent a good deal of my life in Antiva. There, the only class of humans that look down on elves are the royalty, but then again, they look down on everybody." She laughed softly. "I attended a school where many of my teachers were elves, as were many of my student friends. To me, elves are people, just as humans are, or dwarves."

Stolia's eyebrow raised. "You had elven teachers? Really?"

"Yes, it is quite normal in Antiva."

"And the elf who travels with you… what is he to you?"

"He is my friend, my colleague. I would daresay he is like family to me." She looked wistful. "I trust him more than most anyone."

Stolia frowned in disbelief. "I have never heard of a sh… human who trusted an elf unless they were a servant."

"Well, he is no servant of mine. He is free to do as he pleases, and I am very happy to say that he chooses to travel with us. Zevran is a wonderful man, and as I said, there are very few people in this world that I trust more than I trust him."

Delia stood and smiled down at Stolia. "It there anything else you need? Some water, perhaps?"

"Thank you, no, not now." Stolia looked up at the human in wonder. "You are a very strange human, has anyone ever told you that before?"

She laughed, and the sound seemed like music to Lanaya, who continued to listen to the conversation. "I can't say that I have been told that before, but perhaps you will come to think of this strange shemlen as a friend before our time together is finished. Now, be sure to rest, and we will be back later with more poultices and potions."

"Dareth shiral, Delia. I look forward to talking to you later then." Stolia smiled at the human, and Delia bowed slightly to her.

"Dareth shiral to you as well, Stolia. Rest well." Delia turned around and walked back towards the aravel, but Lanaya beckoned her to her side.

"I believe you are making friends with my people easily," Lanaya smiled brightly at Delia. "You are very patient with them and their beliefs of your people. I am impressed."

"If I am not patient with them, given their experiences with others of my kind, how can I teach them to not fear me? They must see for themselves that my heart is open to them in order for them to open theirs to me." She looked across the cots to see if anyone had been missed in their ministrations. "I believe everyone has been taken care of for now, is there anything else I can do to help you?"

"Not right now, falon. Why don't you take some time to relax – perhaps introduce yourself to other members of our clan? You should speak to Sarel, our storyteller, but I warn you that he can be as flirtatious as your friend, Zevran. Keep him at an arm's length."

"I'm certain his stories would be most enlightening. Perhaps he would like to hear some of the elven stories I learned in Antiva."

"I'm most certain he would. Dareth shiral, falon." Lanaya walked over to the keeper's aravel, obviously having clan business to attend to.

Delia walked to the door of Lanaya's aravel to see Zevran inside, searching for the poultices. "Zev, we're actually finished here for now. Would you like to walk around the camp with me? I would like to meet other members of the clan and see how they live their everyday lives."

He brightened immediately. "I would love to walk with you, mi querida. Lead the way."

The two walked around the elven camp, watching as the children played and the adults performed their daily chores. It seemed almost idyllic as if there were nothing wrong in the world. As they walked toward the edge of the camp they found a herd of beautiful deer-like creatures. They were pure white, with antlers that twisted gracefully atop their heads. One of the creatures was apart from the others with an elven woman attending to it, a very worried look on her face.

Delia walked to her, introduced herself and asked what was wrong. The elf explained that her name was Elora, the master herder and primary caretaker of the halla. The beautiful animals were more than animals to the elves – they were considered to be companions and guides. The particular halla Elora was caring for was acting strangely, and she was worried it might have been bitten by a werewolf. She tried to calm the creature down from its agitated state, but no matter what she did the animal wouldn't calm. Elora was unable to speak to the halla until it relaxed.

Delia's eyes reflected Elora's worry. "Is there anything we can do to help?"

"I don't know. Do you have any skills that might help her? If you do, I would be grateful." Elora looked at the two with hope.

"Zev, I know you have learned massage techniques. There are people who use massage on animals to relax them – perhaps if you massaged the halla it would help her settle down and Elora can speak to her."

Zevran raised his eyebrow. "I must admit, I have never massages a woman such as this," he pointed at the halla, "but I am certain it will help." He slowly moved to the halla's side and spoke gently in its ear as he began to massage the creature's shoulders and neck. Within minutes, the halla visibly relaxed, and Elora's eyes brightened.

"Yes… that's it. She's calming down! That's it, love. Be calm. Tell me what troubles you." She laid her hand on the halla's forehead and began nodding. "I did not realize another halla was injured. This will allow me to prevent the illness from spreading to the entire herd." Elora stood and looked at the two companions. "Ma serannas – thank you. You have done my clan a great boon this day. I will always be grateful for your help."

Delia smiled warmly at the elf. "It is our pleasure. It is an honor to be able to help such a beautiful creature."

The halla began to nuzzle Zevran, who started laughing heartily. "I think I have a new fan… perhaps you shall have competition for my attentions, mi querida!"

They left the halla enclosure after wishing Elora well, and started to walk to the clan's main campfire. Zevran's expression seemed to grow more serious with every step until he put his hand on Delia's arm and looked her in the eye.

"Let us sit for a moment, my dear. I would like to speak to you alone."

She nodded in agreement, and they sat together on a log at the edge of the forest. Zevran looked at her sadly before beginning to speak.

"Delia, I was wondering what your plans are for me. I gave you my word, that I am your man, but what of when all of this is over? I would only be in your way. You and… Alistair… you are very… close. I don't think I should remain."

She looked at him in surprise. "You want to leave me? I… I had no idea."

"It is simply a matter of reality, mi querida. I live my life taking pleasure as I am able. I must admit, I would prefer to take my pleasure with you; however fate has seen fit to provide your Templar to you. Perhaps I should seek my fortune elsewhere."

"I can't imagine not having you here, with us. You are my friend, Zev." She took his hand in hers, and he looked at her sadly.

"Ah, but therein lies the problem, my dear. To you, I am merely a friend. To me, you could be more… so much more. I believe it may be best for both of us if I were to leave."

"No, Zev, you are wrong about one thing. You are not merely a friend; you are as close to me as a brother. In many ways, you are even closer. I trust you – I have faith in you. If you should leave, I would miss you terribly. However, you are always free to go if you truly feel that is necessary. I wish you would stay… I need you."

He raised his eyebrow. "Why, do you have need of an assassin? You have others to protect you… another to touch your heart…"

She put her finger to his lips to silence him. "You touch my heart too, Zev… just not the way you wish to. Please think about what I am saying to you. I want you to stay with us. I care for you, more than words can say. You have been a major reason why I have been able to heal after losing Dairren. If you wish to leave, we will not stop you, but please think about staying. I truly want you to stay."

Zevran stood and offered his hand to her. "I shall consider what you have said. It is… difficult to watch your relationship with Alistair when it is something that I wish to have for myself. For now, I would like time alone. Please excuse me, my dear." He walked away from her, leaving her shaken and feeling more alone than she had since the days after Highever.

Elvish translations:

aneth ara: a friendly greeting

dareth shiral: farewell

falon: friend