Chapter 6 – Vir'Vhen

Love was a strange thing really. It made you care about people that deep down you really shouldn't and made even the smartest people do stupid things. Leliana was glad for it though. Without love, the world would be a dark, boring place. No matter how angry she was at Lyla, how betrayed she felt, she still loved her. It was a strange thing.

All traces of her anger fled as she heard Lyla scream. Her bow was dropped in an instant and before it had touched the floor she had taken off towards her love. Her daggers drawn from their sheaths and as she danced around the remaining darkspawn she was sure to keep the creatures at arm's length as she attacked, she would not risk an infection.

Love made her such an idiot. She was a willing victim to its pull, and a delightful victor whenever she saw Lyla smile. Maker's breath, she hadn't seen the elf smile for a long time. What was she doing? She sliced the nearest ghoul and sighed. She was a Bard! One of the best if she was being vain, which she regularly was in the safety of her own mind. The Maker looked down on pride, but it was Leliana's biggest vice, one that she was glad of really. Pride gave her the confidence she needed to keep going.

She rolled past one final genlock, slashing its hamstrings and stabbing its neck as it fell. It died as Leliana kept on running. Lyla needed her.

What a fool she was. She should never have given Lyla the cold shoulder as long as she did, not when they could die at any moment. They only had one life together, and with the war around them it could be cut short at any point, a point more likely to arrive if Lyla was reckless and upset. The bard needed to get over herself.

She stopped as she grew close to Lyla, her daggers falling to the ground with a dull thud. Her elf was holding a ghoul in her arms, sobbing wildly.

Leliana didn't need to know what was wrong, just that she would be there for the love of her life.

She sprinted towards her heart, holding her close as Lyla cried deeply into her shoulder. She stroked the elf's back, whispered sweet things in her native tongue.

The rest of the group started to clean the site, burning the bodies and moving the more severely damaged tents. Wynne and Neria set about fixing them, Leliana assumed but she was too busy comforting her lover.

"This is… was Tamlen," Lyla whispered after her tears slowed. "My oldest friend, you remember me telling you about him?"

"Yes, darling, I do," Leliana cooed in her ear. "Your hunting partner, no? I thought he died?"

"So did we!" Lyla sobbed into her chest. She had placed Tamlen softly on the floor before her, turning to properly embrace the bard. "We had a funeral for him and everything. But he was a ghoul all along. My poor friend."

"What was he like, love?" Leliana kissed Lyla's ear softly, stroking her cheek as she turned the elf's face up to look at her emerald eyes. "Tell me about him."

They sat there, talking and crying together until the clan came over.

"Lyla?" Alistair asked quietly. "Are you ok?"

"No, lethallin , I'm not. But I will be, ma serannas," Lyla stood as she spoke. "Do we have any way to dig a grave? This man was dear to me, an old friend. He deserves a proper burial."

"Of course!" Alistair agreed readily. "I'll grab some shovels and we will start digging. I remember you telling me about Dalish funerals, Maker, it feels like forever ago. In the forest, yes? And we need a sapling?"

"Well remembered, Felas," Lyla smiled warmly. "I'll find the tree, if you dig?"

"A good plan, my friend," Alistair nodded.

"Keeper?" Neria spoke up as she stepped forward. "I can call a sapling from the ground if it is easier?"

"Ma serannas, lethallan, that would be perfect."

Leliana held her love tight from behind as they watched the clan move, all of them helping out in their own way. It was beautiful to watch.

"I'm sorry," Leliana whispered in Lyla's ear. "I shouldn't have pushed you to do something you didn't want to."

"I should have explained, love, I am as much at fault as you," Lyla replied. "I trust you implicitly. You are the one person in the whole world who I trust more than others. But I cannot trust Andraste and your Maker. I am so sorry, Leliana, I truly am."

"It is ok," Leliana sighed, "We have both seen different visions of the Chantry, no? Perhaps one day I can show you how I see it. I understand how hard that can be, my love. I know what those who claimed to be the Maker's chosen have done to you. I was just trying to help you, my love, I can't imagine how hard this has been for you."

"It's easier now you're back with me," Lyla turned in Leliana's arms and Leliana met her gaze. She felt the love between them explode inside her and as she bent her head down to kiss Lyla's lips, the elf met her halfway.

"Do your people marry?" Leliana asked suddenly, surprising even herself with her forwardness. "I mean, maybe they do, but err…"

She was a bard! She was meant to be tactful and charming, seductive even! Not a bumbling mess.

"Yes!" Lyla surged in her arms, practically jumping up and down. "I mean, yes we do have marriage. We bond for life, bondmates."

"And how does one ask their lover to be a bondmate?" Leliana asked quietly.

"Leliana, ma vhenan, ma lath, my life, from the moment I wake to the moment I sleep, I think of you. We… no, I am Dalish, a keeper of the lost lore, I walk the lonely path, but with you, it is less lonely. Will you follow vir'vhen with me?" Lyla blushed something terrible as she spoke and Leliana kissed her deeply as she finished.

"Oui! Yes!" She squealed, lifting the elf up as she hugged her tight. "I love you so much."

"Ar lath, ma vhenan."

Love was a strange thing really. It made you care more about someone than you cared about yourself. Those who say it is selfish are fools, it is the most selfless power in the galaxy. Leliana did stupid things for it, but the reward made it all worth it. With love in it, Leliana's world was bright and full of beautiful colours. Leliana Mahariel, it had a nice ring to it after all.

Translations

Lethallin/lethallan – close friend. Lin is masculine, lan is feminine

Ma serannas – thank you

Felas – slow. Alistair's nickname

Ma vhenan – My heart

Ma lath – My love

Vir'vhen – Way of the heart

Ar lath – I love you