The first sight that awaits me when I regain consciousness is Leliana'as worried face. I squint a little and try to find out what's going on. Leliana's eyes widen and her mouth moves to make words. A loud, buzzing noise in my ears blocks out all other noise and I can't tell what the rogue is saying to me. Then, Morrigan's face obscures my view. Her shrill voice manages to break through my cloud.
"Are you alive?!". I cringe and hear a moan pass my lips. Morrigan's rough, cold hand smacks around my face. Hot, burning strings of magic work their way across my face. Intense pain causes me to jerk and twist, but I can't release myself. Instead, I'm forced to stay still as Morrigan heals me. It seems to take an eternity, but eventually Morrigan removes her hand and face. The buzzing is completely gone and I'm now back to 'normal'. 'Normal' happens to include extremely exhausted.
I heave myself up and look around. Dead darkspawn, my team is with me, and a mild throbbing in my face. I doubt the day is going to get any better, so I fling a useless arm up and begin exiting the clearing. We've barely gone anywhere when we stop in another clearing with someone's camp. An elderly man is sitting down and a tree stump is right in front of me. I don't know why, but I'm tempted to stick my hand in the stump. I've barely taken out an acorn when the man screams and charges.
Three Hours Later:
I have a useless acorn and a tree's branch in my pocket. Thankfully, both of those proved useful later on (after we'd dealt with the insane man who attacked us). My team and I tore our way through the forest before finally reaching a wall of fog. Apparently, my acorn and/or branch allowed me to walk through it. That, or it just disappeared to vanish for some reason. I doubt that though. The werewolves that awaited us on the other side seemed shocked to see us, then attacked. I'd almost slain Swiftrunner when Witherfang revealed himself. The great white wolf tackled me before leading his followers in a desperate retreat.
I'd wanted to follow them deep into the forest's ruins where they hid; however, Morrigan and Leliana talked some sense into me. By that time I was struggling just to walk and everyone was tired. Now we're camped outside the ruins with someone constantly on guard. Unfortunately, it's currently my turn to stay guard. For the entire night. Morrigan somehow disappeared when it was her turn to stand watch. Now I'm stuck sitting here and forced to watch a dying fire. My patience is almost up when someone sits down beside me. I look over and see Leliana's sat down with me. I look at her and nod. The woman nods back and tries to start making conversation.
"The stars are out tonight.".
I look upwards and see the clear, dark sky winking at me with a thousand lights. On any other night I'd consider it beautiful. Right now I'm just tired and so worn out it's not even funny. The only reason I answer is because I don't want to leave the woman waiting.
"For once, a clear night.". Leliana scoots a little closer to me and keeps looking at the stars.
"I know a story about the stars. Care to hear them?". I nod and she tells me her story, but I can tell it's condensed.
"There was once a lonely woman who refused to marry, so her father-the king- locked her away in a tower. She was so upset she sang all day and all night in the hopes someone would hear. Finally, her song was heard. A lowly soldier hear her song and went to her. The two fell in love, but it wasn't meant to be. The woman's father sent the soldier to war. When the woman got note that he had perished, then she wept so furiously the gods themselves heard. They lifted her and her lover into the sky with universes parting them. Each star is one of the woman's tears. When she's cried enough, then she'll be reunited with her love.". I look up at the sky and try to think about the story I've just been told. I eventually decide on how to react to Leliana's story.
"I don't think I'll ever look at the stars in the same way ever again.". Silence follows for a few minutes before Leliana begins a new conversation.
"Was it terrible living in the Alienage?". I nod and the woman keeps going.
"In Orlais, elven servants were prized. They were considered excellent at their jobs, and many found them pleasing to the eye.". My skin bristles at her comment. Before my mother died, I'd lain with quite a few shem. Well, 'lain' is the wrong term. It was never sexual enough to be called that, but it was still 'romantic'. The reason it was never sexual is because of the shem themselves. I always found out sooner or later that they yearned for me purely because I was an elf. Fetishizing me because of my race isn't uncommon and it strokes a particular flame of hatred in my heart. Leliana doesn't notice and keeps talking.
"I'm certain you would have been loved in Orlais. You're pleasing to the eye and I'm certain some woman would love paying you to show off at balls.". That sounds extremely offensive and hurtful. Like Leliana's whittling my entire personality down to 'elf'. I decided to go with cutting sarcasm in order to show Leliana that what she's saying is offensive.
"So I should sell myself to some Orlesion woman like I'm a prized animal?". I turn and see Leliana's entire face turning red. I'm certain she was trying to pay me a compliment, but she needs to know.
"No! I just meant that-". A deep sigh.
"I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking.". I nod and give her a single warning.
"I'm more than just an elf- I'm a person. Remember that.". Usually I'm not as forgiving of shem, but usually they don't have good intentions like Leliana. The woman even tries to save the conversation by giving me another compliment.
"I... have I ever told you I really like the way you wear your hair?". I stroke the dying fire.
"It's just hair.". Leliana begins struggling to revive the conversation a little after my blunt response.
"In Orlais, hair was always grand and huge for the balls. One year a woman came with live birds tied to her hair. The chirping was quite nice, but frightened birds have loose bowels.". I chuckle a little and shake my head at the sheer craziness some people will go through. Leliana shares my laugh before apologizing.
"I'm sorry my conversation is all over the place tonight. I tend to ramble when I'm around friends.". I shrug and tell her my honest opinion.
"I don't mind. I actually enjoy the company of rambling women.". Leliana smiles and scoots close enough that our legs are touching. I take a deep breath and hold it. I look into Leliana's eyes and see sheer terror at what she's done. I slowly release my breath.
"This is fine. Small steps. Just small, small steps.". Leliana offers me a wide smile and tries to keep the conversation going. Honestly, I think she's trying to take my mind off of the fact she's touching me.
"I rather enjoy the company of women such as yourself.". I attempt a funny/sarcastic approach.
"Do you often enjoy the company of women?". Leliana takes my question at face value.
"What if I said I did?". My guts and chest begin tightening. I've only had 'sex' (if that's what she wants to call it) once, and it was with a whore. I ended up not being able to do it. Instead, I screamed at her and curled in on myself. I know I like women, but I'm not sure if I could ever be with one. Leliana's leg touching mine reminds me that she isn't like the shem whore. She won't punch and beat me when things go sour. I don't know too much about her; however, I still think it's safe to assume she won't knowingly (at least physically) hurt me. So, I take a deep breath and say something that isn't too risky or sexual.
"I'd be honored that you enjoy my company, then.". Leliana sighs and seems to enjoy my response. She even opens her mouth to say something else when we're ambushed. Shit. Should have been paying more attention and actually guarding.
When the dust is finally settled something else is wrong. The men sent to kill us were sent by Leliana's old mistress and teacher. Seems like not even hundreds of miles of distance can kill a feud. And, the light is beginning to rise over the horizon. It means that soon we'll be forced to attack the werewolves' lair or risk being ambushed again. Thankfully, everyone seems well enough. Morrigan is currently transformed into a bear and Duncan is completely fine. Leliana is complaining of a sore shoulder and I'm aching, but we'll survive and can most likely go and fight. Currently though, I'm talking to Leliana.
"Do you want to go after her?". One of the men told us (before we killed him) that he'd been hired by a woman (now we know it's Leliana's teacher) in Denerim. Now it's up to Leliana to decide if we go and pay her a visit. The woman quickly makes up her mind and nods.
"We'll need to pay her a visit, but after we're done helping the elves take care of their werewolf problem.". I nod and begin walking towards the ruin. Everyone else follows me. If we're lucky (which I doubt we are), then all of this will be over before dinner. Sadly, I wouldn't count on our luck. Ever.
Note: Sorry, but expect extreme delays. Now 'Denerim's Shadow' will only be updated on Saturday. It might have more content or be longer, but I don't know that yet. I want to focus on 'The Last Dragon' and get that taken care of. Sorry. Things are just busy and need taken care of.