So for the next two weeks I won't be able to type or update because I'm going to Disney World...XD

I'll be back though so no crying! For all interested, I wrote a one shot for what happened back on Earth to Mike after Abby flew the coop. That should keep you all tied over, yes?

Once again, my love goes out to all the people who read. Last time I check it was something like 105 people had visited the last update. O.O You never know though who could be trolling though right?

Anyway, enough from me! BIOWARE OWNS ALL!

A Ray of Hope

Morrigan was true to her word. She was an excellent guide, taking us around the largest part of the horde. In fact, the only darkspawn we ever encountered was a small hurlock of whom Morrigan quickly disposed of with her magic. I was grateful for her presence, even though my head buzzed. I didn't think Alistair and I could have defended ourselves, me being tired, and Alistair still grieving.

We traveled in silence, save for the occasional sobbing noises coming from Alistair. I felt like crying too, but when I saw Morrigan flash those annoyed looks at Alistair I glared back at her for him. Someone needed to be strong, and that person right then was me.

That night when we stopped, Alistair just fell into a makeshift bed, sans blankets or pillow, just a pelt that Flemeth had given us until we made it to the village. He didn't even bother with taking all of his armour off. That worried me, but when I went to say something he just rolled over.

"He is acting most childishly," Morrigan said as loudly as she dared. The taint inside of me hadn't stopped pulsing, meaning that stragglers from the horde were nearby.

"Leave him alone Morrigan. He's lost a lot. It isn't easy. I know."

The witch frowned at me as she checked my bandages. "He cannot be like this forever."

"No," I lifted my arm with a wince. "But he gets to for a while, he just needs his space."

"Hm. You should be able to go without the bandages now. The right leg is still knitting muscle back together, be gentle with it."

"Thank you," I said as I put my shirt back on. I wasn't worried about Alistair seeing. I don't think he would have noticed if ten naked women ran up to us.

"You seem to be handling this much better," she said matter-of-factly.

"Not always. I used to cry if my aunt even looked at me the wrong way. I've learned to control my emotions, or I thought I had until…"I stopped in frustration. I wanted to tell her the truth, but I didn't feel like explaining it again to Alistair.

The witch blinked her hawk like eyes at me slowly, obviously waiting for me to continue.

"I need to tell you something. About my past. But I need to figure out how first, it's so hard to explain. That's only if you believe me," I admitted.

She crossed her legs and stood up straight. "Mother said you did not live the same way as the other Wardens had. I had just thought she had meant as a woman you had different experiences. I had not pondered her meaning more until we started healing you."

I looked at her in confusion. "Why did that make you 'ponder'? Do I have and extra organ or something?"

"No," she almost looked amused, before her eyes turned wild again. I felt like she was trying to stare into my soul as Flemeth had. "When the spells surrounded you, I felt as if your body became alive with the magic flowing through it. 'Tis hard to explain. One moment, you were one the brink of falling into the Void, the next, energy just thrived from your every pore. Flemeth was very fascinated by it."

"I've never had anybody tell me that before," I said. I wondered why Tanin hadn't mentioned it to me.

Thinking about him had been a bad idea. I felt heavy again, the memories of the dead plaguing my mind.

"She did not mean for me to tell you, but since we are to be shedding blood, I assume that you will be requiring my assistance for injuries again."

Focusing on Morrigan's voice helped. "I look forward to it?"

"That is one way to put it I suppose."

I smiled. "I'm going to get some sleep."

"Very well. Make sure our partner isn't dead would you? T'would be a shame if one of the last remaining Grey Wardens in Ferelden died because of armour suffocation."

So we journeyed, making it out of the Wilds and onto the Imperial Highway. Our speed had picked up considerably without Morrigan having to slowing down to wait for me, and then us waiting for Alistair who kept tripping on branches. We weren't far from the horde still, and it wasn't long before we had company.

I stopped in the middle of the worn road. My veins had started to pulse uncomfortably. Alistair had looked up and was unsheathing his sword.

"Darkspawn!" I hissed for Morrigan's benefit. "Coming straight for us." She crouched slightly as she grabbed her staff.

No sooner than I had finished speaking then the small group appeared. They were being led by one of those special hurlocks. I cringed, hoping I wouldn't repeat the experience that I had at the outpost.

The only thing that almost made me drop the arrow I had in my hand in surprise was that fact that a dog was running at full tilt towards us, the group chasing it.

I figured it was going to run right past us, but it stopped a meter away from me and turned to face the darkspawn, growling at the group.

I got over my stunned state and started firing. My head started to sing as bolts of energy flew over my head.

Alistair was right in the middle of the action, holding all of the darkspawn back easily, but it made me nervous that I might hit him. I grabbed my sword and plowed my way into the fray. A hurlock took a stab at me and I brought my sword up to defend myself. The dog jumped at the hurlock from below, taking a considerable chunk from its leg. It fell, giving me the chance to stab its chest.

The group was easier to defeat than I had hoped. The dog noticed how I was being slow- my legs had started to protest to all the sudden movement –and defended me more than fighting. It was an interesting experience; the dog had my back, literally creating a barrier between me and the darkspawn if I wasn't facing a certain way.

"Good dog," I praised as I sheathed my sword. I giggled as he spat out the toxic blood. It was like watching a lion trying to play with playdoo. It didn't look right, but it was amusing.

Could it be? I thought as I examined him closer. He wagged his tail in delight as I held out my hand. He gave a few short sniffs and proceeded to nudge his head against it. His giant head made my hand look like a preschooler hand.

"This is the Mabari I helped at Ostagar!" I said in disbelief. The hound barked as if to confirm my statement.

"I think he was out there looking for you," Alistair commented to my amazement. "He's chosen you. Mabari are like that, they call it imprinting."

I smiled at the word imprint, glad that I finally understood what it really meant.

Morrigan wasn't impressed. "Does this mean that we're going to have this mangy beast following us about now? Wonderful," she sighed.

"He's not mangy!" Alistair cooed.

I pet the animal on the head. "You'll need a name won't you?" He barked in agreement.

I wanted to name him something epic, but something that would also remind me of home. I smiled again as he wagged his impossibly small was so happy compared to the rest of us, like a ray of sunshine. I didn't want to name him Ra, after the Egyptian sun god. 'Come here Ra' and 'jump that genlock Ra' sounded silly. But there were plenty of sun gods to choose from. Like the Greek ones.

"Helíos,"I murmured to try it out. His ears pricked up in curiosity. "Helíos the Mabari war hound," I said louder, and he barked. He jumped up, putting his dinner plate paws on my shoulders.

"Very appropriate," I said. "So you can give 'em hell!"

"Tell me, Warden, what that word means. I have never heard it before," Morrigan inquired.

"Sorry, hell or Helíos?"

"Both."

I sighed. "I'll tell you later, okay?"

She just frowned at me while Alistair shot me a perplexed look.