Ranger Commander

Cobian's thoughts raced. It wasn't an unusual thing, but it was a bit difficult to think. There were angry sylvans and shades everywhere. Lawrien was burning them down, while Morrigan placed down curses around Zathrian, forcing him away from Epona. Faren and Leliana darted in, dragging her back to the Lady's side. The Lady who reached desperately for Epona.

Lawrien paused, gasped then bolted for the magical energy imprisoning her. Cobian cut down another shade, trying to make his way to Zathrian. If they could knock him out that would be helpful, he didn't want to kill one of Epona's Keepers, and not a leader of the Dalish, but all these cursed people needed to be freed too.

Cobian heard tearing, and saw Lawrien ripping the barrier around the Lady with her hands, yelling as fire poured from her. The Lady lunged, grasping Epona's hand, and a white flash blinded them all.

.::.

Epona was lost. A forest lay before her, beautiful, vast and full of so much greenery her eyes stung. It was bright, well lit by the sunlight peering through the tree branches that climbed high into the sky. It should have been dark, but it wasn't.

She arrived before a clearing with a tribute to Mythal standing before a lake. A familiar red headed elf with green armour stood before the statue, staring up at it with a furrow to her brow. She looked like an older Epona, and Epona couldn't help but pause.

"You look like the ghost from the ruins," Epona said, grimacing. "Where am I? What happened? The last thing I remember was Keeper Zathrian using a sleeping spell on me."

"I am the Ranger Commander of the Emerald Knights, Epona Mahariel, while you are Epona Mahariel of the Grey Wardens." The elf eyed her and smiled. "You and I have much to speak about, and nothing at all, Epona."

Epona scowled. "To use a human set of curse words I have learned, this is 'bullshit'."

The Ranger Commander smirked. "The elven race once was very magical, Epona, our magic might have died out throughout the years, but the old bloodlines still remain."

"What are these old bloodlines? Why are they so important?"

Ranger Commander grimaced. "There has always been a time when people had to step up and fight for what is right. And thus my comrades and I came together to help the great Generals trapped in an endless war, and while those Generals rose up and became akin to the Gods, we continued to serve. A mistake that should never be repeated. It got all of us killed, but our bloodline continued, as did our magic and our souls. Those same warriors continued down their bloodlines and reincarnated countless times."

"So Lawrien and I are one of these reincarnations?"

The Ranger Commander smiled warmly. "Lawrien was always a strong presence at my side, through all the good and the bad. Keep her close, Epona, and you will win this war, just as we did before."

"Who are the others?" Epona asked. "Why are we not all together fighting this?"

"Because they have their own journey to make, but you aren't alone still. Trevelyan is with you, and you have both a dwarven and two human champions too."

Trevelyan? Epona wasn't entirely sure who that name belonged to.

"All the races have these champions?"

"No." The Ranger Commander shifted uncomfortably. "The Qunari do not. Humans, elves and dwarves are the only ones too. The Qunari weren't exactly... They didn't come from a normal circumstance."

"What does that even mean?"

"It doesn't really matter. Right now I am trying to sort out Zathrian's issue with the werewolves, because you need the Dalish to fulfil your Grey Warden duties."

'Get me the Anvil. Get me the weapon of the dwarves. The smith must die.'

Epona flinched. The Archdemon. It was after some kind of dwarven weapon. The Ranger Commander winced too, shaking her head.

"The dwarves had eight champions, each one of their caste founded by the seven brothers." The Ranger Commander frowned. "Whoever that smith champion is, they are in grave danger."

"I don't really know much about the dwarven people," Epona admitted.

"My knowledge will be just as unclear, but you must keep listening to its voice," Ranger Commander said, softening. "I know the Archdemon's voice is hard, and horrible, but you must endure."

Epona chuckled. "I'm a Dalish elf, Ranger Commander. We always endure."

Ranger Commander bowed her head. "Then let me endure for just a moment on your behalf, before I move on to the next life."

Epona frowned. "What will happen to Zathrian?"

"I need him to sacrifice his hatred and vengeance."

"I don't know if he will do that..." Epona admitted. "I... In his position I might have reacted the same way, but the problem is now its affecting people who had nothing to do with the murder of his children."

Ranger Commander's eyes hardened. "He will. He must. No matter what I have to do to get him to release this curse, I will make him break it for Thedas' sake."

"If Thedas even deserves it..."

"Everyone deserves a chance at life." The Ranger Commander frowned. "Yes, there are many who deserve death too, but you must fight for those that do not. Those people like Faren Tabris and his family who that shemlen bastard forced himself upon. For people like Torph Brosca whose birthright was to die in filth. People like Cobian Cousland who would have been murdered by someone who was his own kin. We were always brought together to keep the peace, Epona, and you must do so again. No matter the cost."

Epona closed her eyes. "For Tamlen and Lyna I will do whatever it takes."

"Halam'shivanas."

"The sweet sacrifice of duty," Epona whispered. "In War, Victory. In Peace, Vigilance. In Death, Sacrifice."

"I am glad to see what my future holds, Epona Mahariel." The Ranger Commander smiled warmly. "Ma serannas."

.::.

An older looking Epona wearing odd fancy green armour walked out of the flash of light, a huge white wolf at her side. Twin blade swords rested sheathed on the belt on her waist, glowing beneath the leather, and a long bow, glowing with silver runes sat on her back, her arrows flickering with magic. Faren stared, mesmerised, and barely even blinked when Morrigan zapped down a shade that tried to attack his back. Lawrien looked stunned, and hesitant.

"Epona...?" Lawrien asked, unsure.

Epona eyed her and nodded. "In a way. I am not Epona Mahariel the Grey Warden. I am Epona Mahariel, Ranger Commander of the Emerald Knights."

Cobian was bouncing with uncontainable glee. "I have so many questions!"

Leliana blushed, awed. "She's beautiful."

"I am not supposed to be here." Epona looked over herself, her brows furrowed. "This is not my body anymore. This is a much younger life." She eyed Lawrien, and tilted her head. "And it would seem you followed me."

Lawrien blinked. "Huh?"

Epona reached out, brushing her fingertips over Lawrien's ears. Lawrien giggled, shying away, muttering something about ticklish.

"You're now mortal. Interesting."

"You're weird, but can you help us?" Lawrien asked.

"I'm surprised you're even asking," Epona huffed. "But I know what the situation is, from both Epona herself and Witherfang." She eyed Zathrian, and nodded respectfully. "Keeper."

"Ranger Commander." Zathrian bowed, but straightened up, growing stiffer. "Please release Epona from this curse. We know when your families come together it sees all of you die young."

"It's not my fault the world is falling apart again," Epona scoffed. "As it is not these people's fault what happened to your family. This was a crime committed a long time ago, Zathrian."

"And yet I still feel that pain everyday!"

"Because you never confronted it." Epona frowned. "Just as this soul has not confronted the death of her heart." Zathrian flinched, shook his head, mouthed 'Tamlen'. "Everyone knows pain, Zathrian. Everyone learns suffering. But it is the embers of hope that keep us going. You lingered too long in your own suffering."

"No parents should ever have to outlive their children," Zathrian breathed out shakily.

"No." Epona closed her eyes and sighed. "No they shouldn't. That is why you must sacrifice your pain and hatred, Zathrian."

Lawrien tilted her head, considering. Faren didn't understand, but magical looking Epona was probably right. At least Faren wouldn't tell her otherwise. If magical looking Epona told him two plus two equalled ten, he'd agree with her on that too. He did not want to see if magical looking Epona's temper was as bad as their Epona's.

"We need the Dalish." Epona's eyes grew hard. "A threat to the world has come, and every man, woman and child is at risk. Parents will be burying their children right now. Children will be taking up their fallen parents' swords. This isn't a fight for any one race or country. This is a fight for Thedas, and I need your anger, your vengeance, to come to an end."

"I don't know if I can do it..." Zathrian's face broke, looking more sad than angry. "All I see our the faces of my children, my people. I...I cannot..."

"What is happening to your clan right now, what has happened to your fresh and blood, pales in comparison to the Blight." Epona approached Zathrian, and cradled his face gently with her hands. "Your hatred must end for the future's sake. For all the children in the world now and coming. I can hear the Archdemon. It's angry, its bloodthirsty. It will destroy everything and everyone."

Zathrian choked on a breath but nodded. "Perhaps I have... I have lived too long... This hatred is consuming me..."

Epona smiled softly, a sorrowful smile. "Immortality was a curse, Zathrian. Never a gift. Not when you see all their faces go by. It never should be given to a single soul."

"What will happen to you now?" Zathrian asked shakily. "To Epona?"

"Your Epona will return, a little confused and disorientated, but with a new understanding I suppose," Epona said. "There will be no need for my spirit companion to help keep me here."

Witherfang bowed his head.

"I died here and lingered, but now I shall move on completely. The cycle is now renewed." Epona frowned. "But you and Keeper Marethari sought to keep me from that, this version of me."

Zathrian flinched. "We wanted to protect her."

"We all die one day, Zathrian. Sometimes it must be in the service of others, and a Grey Warden is a protector, just as the Emerald Knights once were."

"So her life is over?" Zathrian's shoulders slumped. "That's it?"

Epona chuckled. "I would never say over. There are plenty more adventures to come."

Faren was so confused at the moment. Cobian was scribbling furiously into his notebook, his brow furrowed, while Morrigan frowned curiously.

Zathrian sighed. "All I suppose I can do is have hope for her." He turned to the wolf who glowed and transformed back into the Lady. "What of you, spirit? Do you not fear your end?"

"This form would be at an end, but I am and always will be Witherfang, companion to the Ranger Commander Mahariel. This form, the Lady, as I have been called, has gotten to know all the joy that is life. I have known pain and love. I have mourned, and cared, and now all I wish is to release these people from our curse."

"Why did you pick Witherfang?" Epona crossed her arms. "Why my spirit companion?"

"If Witherfang had been bound to me and this curse, I had hoped they would not have been able to go to your descendent. Each time an 'Epona Mahariel' has been born, there was always a wolf around, but this time?"

Epona frowned. "There was no wolf."

"Yes, and I think it cost us Epona's parents in return. Witherfang would have protected all of you-"

"Thus Asha'bellanar stepped in." Epona grimaced. "But she arrived too late for her father. It makes sense I suppose, a shame since it could have been prevented. That and Tamlen's death."

Zathrian choked on a breath.

"But his sacrifice was necessary I suppose for this Epona to become a Grey Warden," Epona muttered. "This is where she is meant to be. For a need to save the world once more."

"Are we getting our Epona back?" Lawrien asked, shifting awkwardly. "You're just weird."

Faren choked. Lawrien calling people weird? Well he never thought he'd see the day.

Epona chuckled. "Yes, you'll get her back as soon as Zathrian is ready."

"Can I ask some questions first?" Cobian asked hopefully.

Epona shook her head. "I'm afraid not, Cousland. Not yet. None of you are ready yet."

Cobian deflated. "Oh... That's a shame..."

"Patience. One day soon enough you'll learn more," Epona said, then gently took Zathrian's hand. "Are you ready?" She glanced at the Lady. "Both of you?"

The Lady nodded. "I have been ready for a long time. Zathrian, you gave me a living form, not just as the wolf. I have lived a life full of love and pain, and now I wish for it to end. Please, show mercy, Zathrian."

"You shame me spirit," Zathrian chuckled bitterly, shaking his head.

"You will do it?" she gasped, surprised. "You will end the curse?"

He sighed. "Yes, I think it is time. Let us put an end to it all."

Epona bowed her head. "Thank you."

A shimmer of green energy flickered through her, and then she gasped. Gone was the older looking Epona, but the odd, fancy green armour remained. The twin blades still sheathed on her belt, glowing beneath the leather and the long bow with silver runes.

"She gave me her armour..." Epona said softly, and grimaced. "The armour of the Ranger Commander of the Emerald Knights."

"Is that a good or a bad thing?" Faren asked hesitantly.

"I don't know..." Epona admitted. "She died in this, but it was also a sign of her strength and courage at the end of all things." She gazed at her hand, the one holding Zathrian's, and her brow furrowed heavily. "I'm sorry, Keeper Zathrian."

"Do not be, da'len. I may not be ready, but I will do this. Look after yourself, and make sure the clan..." he hesitated.

She squeezed his hand tightly. "I will. Dareth shiral, Zathrian."

Zathrian softened. "Dareth shiral, Epona Mahariel."