Chapter 48: Reappearance

Morning seemed to arrive quickly for Delia, and the cold air made her hands feel numb as she practiced her stances. She noticed that Zevran was cooking breakfast, and her stomach growled in anticipation. As soon as she finished her workout she walked back to the fire and sat as her friend handed her a bowl of steaming porridge.

The two conversed easily as the rest of the camp started to awaken. Before long they were all sitting at the fire eating together, trying to stay warm. Frost covered the grass and the entire field seemed to be filled with crystals. As the sun rose higher in the sky the air warmed enough to make them reasonably comfortable. Since there were no more sick elves to care for, Delia was able to spend the morning helping care for the horses, repairing equipment and restocking her supply of local herbs.

She was just beginning to prepare their lunch when she heard two familiar women's voices. She turned around to see Leliana and Wynne walking toward her. Delia smiled at them as they came closer, but was surprised to not see the two wardens. When she asked the women where they were, Wynne explained that Zathrian had met them in the werewolves lair, deep in the Brecilian Forest.

It turned out that he was the one responsible for creating the curse in the first place, as revenge against a group of humans who had killed his family. He was inspired to end the curse because of the way Delia had worked tirelessly to help his people. She shamed him into a realization that his own unending need for retribution had led to the suffering of his clan. Zathrian had to end his own life, along with the spirit he named Witherfang, to end the curse and save both his people and the descendants of the humans who had caused him his own pain.

The Dalish custom was to return their dead to the earth, burying their corpses and then planting a tree above. The wardens knew the elves needed to give their proper final respects to someone as important as their keeper, so they created a stretcher to bring his body home. Aeden and Alistair were taking the body directly to Lanaya before they did anything else, knowing how important the task was to show the Dalish the deep respect they had for their culture and religion.

Delia was sad to hear the news of Zathrian's death and left the two women to finish preparing lunch in order to see Lanaya. She hurried to Lanaya's aravel where she found Aeden speaking to the new keeper and Sarel. Alistair was nowhere in sight, and Delia sighed softly before she joined her friends.

As Delia approached Lanaya, the elves face turned to her, filled with grief. Delia gave the woman a hug in support, knowing Lanaya had been like a daughter to Zathrian.

"I'm so sorry, emma falon. My heart is with you in your grief." Delia looked into Lanaya's face and saw not only the woman's sorrow, but a determination.

"Thank you, my friend. We have much to do this afternoon, as we must give Zathrian the rest he has earned after his long life." She frowned in sadness as she took her friend's hand. "I know you would want to be a part of the ceremony, but I must ask you and your group to give us time to grieve as a clan. Please stay away while we bury him. There are those among my clan who would not understand that you grieve alongside us, and it might damage the delicate strands of friendship you have worked so hard to weave."

Delia hugged her again. "Of course, Lanaya. We will respect your wishes. Perhaps you would like Zevran to be there? He could represent us, and at the same time his presence might be of comfort to you?"

The elf stood back and wiped tears from her eyes. "I would like that… very much in fact. He and I have an… understanding."

Aeden raised his eyebrow at Delia, who simply gave him a look that told him they would speak of it later. "Then we'll leave you for now, my friends. We will meet at the end of the day, yes?"

Sarel nodded. "Please have your friends join us at the main campfire for our celebration. We will celebrate Zathrian's life, Lanaya's elevation to keeper, and the end of the werewolf curse. Although it is very sad to lose someone as important as Zathrian, his accomplishments must be commemorated. We have much to thank the Creators for." He smiled sadly at Lanaya and took her hand. "Come, Lanaya. We have a great deal to do. Please excuse us."

The elves walked away, leaving Delia alone with Aeden. "Where's Alistair? Wynne and Leliana told me he was with you."

Aeden smiled and softly laughed. "Oh, I see how it is. Not even a 'welcome back, Aeden. I missed you my brother.' No, it's 'where's Alistair? He's the only one of the lot of you that matters...'"

Delia punched him in the arm with a teasing smile aimed at him. "There's your welcome back. Although I did miss you too, even if you don't seem to believe that." She gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "If your own ego has been stroked enough, would you please tell me where the other warden has disappeared to?"

Aeden bent down and kissed her cheek. "He said something about errands he needed to do before he went back to our camp area. I bet he's back there, looking for you!"

She flashed a smile at him before quickly turning and starting to run back. Thinking better of it, she turned back, gave him another hug and then spoke once more before she ran off. "Thank you – see you back at camp."

Aeden chuckled as he watched her disappear and decided to head back to the group as well. On his way he saw Varathorn, the elves' master craftsman, and decided to see if he might be able to trade for some new equipment.

"Varathorn, it is good to see you again," he said with a friendly smile.

The elder elf looked up at him and returned his smile. "Yes, I am very glad to see you as well. Thank you, by the way. Alistair brought over the supply of ironwood you found in the forest. My people are forever in your debt. You have done so many wonderful things for us. It's hard to believe you are truly humans!" Varathorn laughed good-humoredly.

"Ah, so that was the errand Alistair mentioned earlier. For some reason he was very anxious to see you."

Varathorn nodded knowingly. "Yes, your friend had a special order placed before you went into the forest." He smiled at Aeden and waggled his finger at him. "Don't give me that look, Alistair swore me to secrecy. All I can tell you is it is a gift for someone very special to him."

Aeden laughed. "I'm sure it isn't for me then! I guess I'll have to wait and see what happens then." He gave the elf a good natured slap on the back. "I'd like to see what equipment you have available for trade, my friend. If you have time and don't mind."

"Anything I can do to help you, warden." He led Aeden into his aravel to show him the items he had available.

As Delia ran back toward their camp she noticed Zevran walking toward her with a glint in his eye. She ran up to him and put a hand on his shoulder while she tried to catch her breath.

"Ah, my dear, it is such a pleasure to have you searching for me in such a hurry. I always knew you would come around," he teased her mercilessly. "Alas, there is another lovely woman I have already promised to meet with, so you will have to wait your turn."

She laughed at him. "Oh, well then, it is a shame, but I actually have a message for you from her." Her mood suddenly became more serious. "I don't know if you already know, but Alistair, Aeden, Wynne and Leliana are back from the forest. Unfortunately, Zathrian had to give his own life in order to end the curse, so the wardens carried his body back to Lanaya. They are preparing for his burial, and Lanaya would really like your support. I asked if you could attend as the representative for the wardens, and she agreed. Do you have any problem with that?"

The assassin looked distressed. "No, I have no problem with that. Lanaya has told me a great deal of her relationship with Zathrian, and I am certain it is most difficult for her at this time. I would be honored to represent the Grey Wardens, especially since it will allow me to be at her side." He looked at Delia, a small grin appearing. "She is quite an interesting woman, as you know. I will take great pride in providing her with whatever… comfort I am able."

Delia narrowed her eyes at him and punched him in the arm. "Now isn't the time for your lechery. She is the keeper now, and has to be strong for the entire clan. Make certain you behave yourself!"

He clutched at his heart in mock horror. "Mi hermana, you wound me so. I understand exactly what she needs from me in public. Anything else I can provide for her privately I would be more than happy to oblige." His smile grew wider. "But for now, I must be the companion of the Grey Wardens, representing the interests of all of Ferelden. Not bad for someone like myself, no? I will see you later, mi querida."

He walked away toward Lanaya's aravel, leaving Delia smiling and shaking her head to his retreating form. She turned back to continue on the path to her group's camp. It felt like months since she had seen Alistair, and every moment delayed seemed to be hours. Finally she reached the top of the trail and started to look around for Alistair.

Wynne and Leliana were talking to Morrigan over their lunch at the fire. Sten sat outside his tent, polishing his sword. As her eyes scoured the camp, Trent was nowhere to be seen either. Maybe he was working with the horses and Alistair was with him?

Delia walked swiftly to the horses' enclosure. Sure enough, Trent's smiling face showed above the backs of the equines, which were huddled together for warmth. Standing to his side was Alistair. Trent seemed to point toward her and Alistair turned his head in her direction. As his eyes met hers, he broke into a huge smile. Trent said something to him, and he nodded and started to push his way out of the horses.

As soon as he was out of the enclosure, he ran to Delia and grabbed her into a bear hug, twirling her around to the sound of her giggles. Once he set her back onto her feet, she reached up and pulled his head down to her, finally being able to relish the feel of his lips against hers once again.