Chapter 79: In Search of the Clan (Neria)
- So it's true? Alistair is the son of King Maric?
- I thought everyone already knew, Adela.
- That explains everything.
- You're clearly not telling me something.
- Well, since you've noticed it... Riordan and I know his mother.
- His mother is a simple servant from the castle, she died giving birth to him.
- Trust me, Neria, unless Maric had any other bastards, this is a lie. Alistair's mother has never been a servant in the castle. And she's alive now.
- Who is she?
- I'll tell you on the condition that Alistair doesn't find out about it.
- I need to know this. So I agree.
- Well, I hope you understand what you're getting into. Alistair's mother is Fiona, an elf, a mage and a Grey Warden from Orlais. Don't you find this ironic?
- But how is this possible?
- Maric had many adventures with Duncan and Fiona. I believe it was during them that Fiona got pregnant. Pregnancy is a rare occurrence among the Grey Wardens, so many senior Wardens had questions. That's how Riordan found out about it, and so did I much later.
- Why doesn't Alistair know?
- Because Ferelden will never accept a half-elf as their king. Maric kept Alistair as a backup in case something happened to him and Cailan.
- Alistair will not become king.
- He will if necessary. Do not put your personal desires above the desires of the whole country. Considering how obsessed Ferelden is with the Theirin dynasty, Alistair will have no choice.
- Teagan will become king. Or Aedan. Or Elissa will be queen. Anyone but Alistair.
- Well, keep fooling yourself.
Neria woke up in the forest. Since the group left Redcliffe, she had constantly dreamed of that conversation with Adela. Still, it was too bad that the elf decided to find out the truth.
Alistair sat in front of her. He was holding a rose in his hands.
- How did you sleep?
- Badly. Where... where is everyone?
- Theron and Fenarel went hunting. Wynne and Merrill are walking somewhere nearby. By the way, look what I have in my hands. What is it?
- Your new weapon? - Neria asked with a smile.
- Yes, exactly. Here I am, crushing enemies with all the power of flower garlands! Darkspawn, fear the sharpness of my thorns! I will make you flee with a wave of the smell of roses! Or maybe it's just a rose. I know, this is a more boring option.
- You know, feelings can also be a powerful weapon.
- Is it really that easy to see right through me? Don't be surprised though. I picked it in Lothering. I thought then: "How can such beauty grow among filth and hopeless despair?" I should have left that rose there, but I couldn't. We all knew that the darkspawn would come to Lothering and they would destroy everything. So I took it with me and kept it until this moment. Now I want to give it to you. When I look at you, exactly the same thoughts come to my mind, that you are the most beautiful in this world.
- That's pretty nice. Thank you.
- Since you all passed the Joining, you haven't had a chance to know how great it is to be a Grey Warden, you haven't had a chance to hear any congratulations or thanks. And I wanted to make you happy at least a little.
Neria kissed Alistair and took the flower. Soon the Dalish, Fen and Wynne returned to them.
- How much longer do we have to go? - Neria asked. - We have been looking for your people for five days.
- I can't say for sure, - Theron replied. - Let's get ready, we must continue the search.
The group went further east. Neria and Wynne walked at the back, behind the others.
- Are you satisfied with yourself? - asked Wynne.
- What are you talking about?
- About you and Alistair. You are very passionate about each other.
- Yes, that is right. We are happy.
- Are you sure this is a good idea? I know about you and Cullen. You broke up with him after your Harrowing.
- Yes. But this is different. He is a templar, I am a mage. We couldn't be together.
- Believe me, I know that relationships with the templars lead to nothing good. But isn't it the same with Alistair? He is a fine young man, but he is also a Grey Warden. What if he has to choose between you and saving Thedas?
- There are now nine more Wardens in Ferelden besides me and Alistair. They'll be able to come up with something.
- Well, do as you please. I said what I wanted to say.
- Quiet! - said Fenarel. - Darkspawn!
Everyone stood behind Fenarel and saw a group of darkspawn led by an ogre surrounding four Dalish elves at the entrance to the cave.
- Theron, what do you want me to do? - Merrill asked, tugging her clanmate by the shoulder.
But Theron stood in shock and did not react at all. He was clearly scared. Fen whined, looking at his owner.
- We must save them! - Neria said, taking command. - Alistair, Fenarel, go ahead! We've got your back!
Both warriors attacked the darkspawn, and the mages ran after them. Before the ogre had time to react, Neria and Wynne worked together to freeze him, and Merrill finished him off with a Stonefist.
As the group began to win, a large pack of Blight wolves, led by a Bereskarn, a terrible corrupted bear, ran out of the forest. The odds were clearly not in favor of Neria and her friends; even Theron, who started shooting at the wolves, did not help much. Soon, Wynne released spirit energy, which knocked down all the darkspawn. Wynn herself immediately lost consciousness, and the Wardens, their companions and the Dalish easily finished off the stunned enemies.
- Wynne! Wynne! - Neria shouted, standing near the body of her mentor.
She touched Wynne and realized that the senior enchantress was still breathing, she had simply lost consciousness.
The rescued Dalish immediately took out their bows and aimed at Alistair and Neria. The elf slowly rose to her feet and turned to the strangers.
- You have a strange company, - said the fair-haired elf. - Three of the Elvhen, two humans, a mabari and a flat-ear.
- Sorry, what did you call me? - Neria asked her.
- Flat-ear. You are not a real elf, you are just a pathetic imitation of a human.
- Calm down, we don't need to quarrel, - said Theron, who approached them. - We are Theron, Fenarel and Merrill, we are from Sabrae clan. I am a Grey Warden, like my friends Alistair and Neria, and I ask you to treat them with respect. And Wynne, she's the one lying unconscious, is helping us. Also my dog Fen is with us.
The elf ordered her companions to put away their bows.
- Aneth ara, Theron of Sabre clan. I am Mithra of Ellasan clan.
- Ellasan? Your Keeper is Zathrian, right?
- Yes, he is, may the Creators protect him.
- We need to meet him. The Grey Wardens need the help of the Dalish elves.
- Well, follow me. But remember that we will keep an eye on your shemlen and flat-ear companions.
Mithra and the others walked forward, Alistair and Fenarel picked up Wynne and followed them.
- Lethallin, I need to know, - Merrill said, looking at Theron. - Why did you stop and panic?
Theron glanced towards the cave.
- This is... that cave. Here Tamlen and I found the mirror... And he...
Neria and Merrill immediately hugged their comrade, who was struggling to hold back his tears.
- Thank you, - he said to both girls. - It's just... sometimes it's hard. Let's get out of here quickly.
The elves and Fen ran on, hoping for the cooperation of the Keeper of the clan.