Chapter 18: Gift Giving

Since I'd returned to Ostagar, Bhelen and I had reconnected and caught up on the past few years. We had, of course, sent letters about everything that had been happening over that time but nothing beat speaking in person. Bhelen had become an excellent enchanter, and his other studies were coming along wonderfully. Dagna insisted that if he kept it up, he would likely become Orzammar's premier enchanter.

He'd done a great deal to help me recover from my losses at Ostagar by being there for me. I don't discount Faren or Kalah's efforts, but Bhelen was my younger brother and his efforts to bolster the spirits of his elder sister were more appreciated somehow. His studies had come along so well that he really needed more hand's-on experience when it came to politics and diplomacy. I had retaken my place on the Assembly now that I'd returned home and Rica was able to return to her and Veron's business.

Bhelen would accompany me to every meeting of the Assembly and while Deshyrs and petitioners were giving speeches or arguments, I would quietly test him. I would ask him who the person was, why they would be arguing for, or against, the issue they were speaking on, and what their motivations might be. I ensured he looked beyond the obvious reasons that were given, and to search for the intricacies; who did the speaker owe, which House or caste would benefit, how did the speaker benefit if the issue passed or failed? All these things were important to understand when deciding how to vote on any given issue.

We'd been expanding in the Deep Roads by securing more of the areas around the reclaimed thaigs. I wasn't personally present for these particular efforts, but I made sure House Orodum had a presence in each expansion. The roads beneath northern Ferelden were respectably secure. Darkspawn encounters were very low, and tunnels were sealed in a similar method as we'd used to seal them when we retook the thaigs.

Before I could continue my work on hunting down the old gods before they could become archdemons, I sent word to Weisshaupt Fortress using the fledgling spy network that Beraht and Jarvia had started creating. I was very specific with what information I needed, and who I wanted to speak with about it. I knew it would take time to get an answer, and longer still to meet with who I wanted to meet with, but it wasn't exactly a time sensitive issue.

Rica and Veron were married a few weeks after I'd taken my place back in the Assembly. I paid for the whole thing myself and refused to let Veron's family spend a copper on it. I just wanted them to enjoy the occasion. I even convinced Father to let them use the throne room for the ceremony and festivities. The whole affair was wonderful, and a great many friends and family attended. Trian even surprised everyone by sending a small herd of brontos as a wedding gift to help them haul trees up the mountain, and haul the brankite they produced back down the mountains to human and elven vendors. I gifted them an expansion to their home, specifically an outside expansion by creating a larger storefront, upper levels with a balcony for them to enjoy the view from, and a small pasture inside the mountain to hold the new brontos in.

Shortly after my twenty-first birthday, a messenger arrived with an invitation from Serena and Alistair to attend their wedding. It would be held in Vigil's Keep; the seat of power in the Arling of Amaranthine. The wedding would be held in two month's time, so that gave me plenty of time to prepare and make my way there. One thing I'd set House Orodum and some other smaller families under my patronage to was to explore the Deep Roads and secure a route to Vigil's Keep, which had a connection to the Deep Roads.

In the Awakening expansion, you would have to seal this connection up or else the darkspawn could use it to invade the Keep. When Serena announced that she had finally gained the Arling back in that first year we were in Ostagar, I'd sent word back to House Orodum in Orzammar that I wanted the route found. We had the route figured out two years later and had used it as a relatively safe route to transport goods to Amaranthine's port.

I say relatively safe, because there were still darkspawn in the Deep Roads, but nowhere near as many as there used to be. After Ostagar, the darkspawn presence was especially low. We wouldn't really have to see the surface until we got to the Keep.

I'd decided that my wedding present to Serena and Alistair would be doing what had been done in the expansion; I would have the Keep's walls rebuilt to dwarven standards. It sounds silly, but the difference between dwarven stonework and anyone's else's is like night and day. There's simply no comparison, and it would ensure the wall's integrity for hundreds of generations. It would also likely be more expensive than all of their other gifts combined, except for the Arling itself.

I'd spoken with a number of dwarven caravans who'd come and gone from Vigil's Keep in order to get an estimate of the materials that would be needed to rebuild the walls. The convoy that would be coming with me to the wedding would bring the supplies with us.

The trip to Vigil's Keep would take three weeks. When I left, Faren, Bhelen, and Capone (my quickly growing Mabari pup) accompanied me, along with one hundred of my House Orodum warriors, and all of the masons and engineers that would be needed to rebuild the walls. The trip itself was relatively uneventful, but I had some scouts head through some unmapped roads that led north, specifying that I wanted them to search for exits along the storm coast, west of Dragon Island.

Serena and Alistair, as well as a gaggle of human nobles I didn't recognize, welcomed us when we arrived. I had insisted the masons and engineers stay further back and not make themselves known so I could surprise the happy couple with their present.

Trianna, Aelfric, and Allen all arrived the next day. I was so excited to see Trianna that I knocked her to the ground with the enthusiasm I put into the hug I gave her. That evening, all the fated sat in private to discuss what had been happening, and to compare notes.

"You got rid of the Carta?" Serena sipped a hot cup of tea.

"We're in the initial stages of it," I clarified. "We've only been at it for a few months, but it's a concerted effort."

"That's certainly going to keep your people busy," Aelfric said over a small stack of notes. "It's not like they're going to just roll over and die. And since they're so spread out over the Surface Caste markets, it will take a lot of intel to find each pocket and weed them out."

I just smiled with cheeks full of cornbread. Somehow, Aelfric just made it better than anyone else. "I think we have all the information we need at this point. It's just a matter of time."

Allen chuckled and leaned forward in his seat, looking at everyone and waggling a finger at me, "There's something she's not telling us. She knows something."

I just laughed and winked.

"All right, then," Trianna smirked, "keep your secrets. We have some news as well."

"Oh? Serena perked up. "So, then, tell us how things are in Ostagar."

"Well… We have good news and bad news," Trianna hesitated.

"Let's get the bad news out of the way first," Allen sighed as he sat back, preparing himself for the news.

"Solas has made an appearance," Aelfric said with a warning tone.

Solas was an elf from the third game in the series who was actually known as Fen'Harel; the dread wolf. Modern elven mythology said he betrayed the elven gods and imprisoned them. In the lore of the series, it was Solas who separated the physical world from the spiritual world by creating the veil. The physical world became known as Thedas, while the spiritual world became known as the Fade.

He made a mistake by giving a powerful elven artifact to an ancient Tevinter magister named Corypheus, who used the artifact in an attempt to destroy an anchor which prevented anyone from gaining control over the Fade.

"Already?" Faren grumbled. "It's not nearly time."

"The elves already have a stronghold and there are larger changes coming than there would have been by now thanks to us," I suggested. "He sees a base power structure he can attach himself to and manipulate to bring about the original world through."

"Why would he bother, though?" Serena asked, setting her tea down and crossing her legs. "Isn't he strong enough to do that on his own?"

"Thankfully no," Trianna shook her head. "Or, at least, he's not strong enough yet. He's only woken from his slumber about a year ago."

"He shouldn't have woken up for about another ten years…" I rubbed my chin in thought. "Perhaps there was something else that caused him to wake. I don't suppose you could ask him?"

"We could," Aelfric shrugged, "but who even knows if the answer he gives would be the truth. I'm guessing we all know that he's a liar."

"And that he doesn't consider the elves of this era to be true elves," Trianna added with a scowl. "But that doesn't stop his charisma or his appeal to the elves in Ostagar."

"He's actually staying there?" I asked in surprise.

Trianna nodded, "He's saying he's just a wanderer who has researched the history and traditions of our people. But he's growing a following slowly, but surely. We need to find a way to contain his influence."

"Can't just send him away either, can you?" Faren mused after taking a draught from his mug of mead.

Aelfric shook his head, "No. He's already too well known, and it would go against our policies of welcoming all elves to Ostagar."

"But it does bring us to one solution we've decided on," Trianna smiled.

"What's that?" I asked as I noted the change in her demeanor.

Trianna and Aelfric shared a smile before Aelfric nodded to her, "Go on. But prepare for the reaction…"

That phrasing surprised everyone.

Trianna just chuckled and nodded as if in acceptance of the inevitable, "Aelfric and I have decided to get married."

Everyone's reaction to the news was drowned out by my shout of excitement as I jumped from my seat, cleared the space between Trianna and I, and sent the loveseat she was sitting on toppling backwards as I jumped up and hugged her in excitement. The commotion from the toppled furniture, along with my shout, alerted the guards who jumped through the door to check to see if everything was alright.

Serena assured the guards that everything was fine.

"I honestly thought she'd be louder," Allen laughed.

"She really held back the enthusiasm, too," Aelfric snickered.

"I expected her to just know at this point and announce it herself," Faren shrugged and sipped his mead.

Trianna and I laughed and hugged for a few minutes as I asked her a thousand questions about when the wedding would be, where it would be, if we would be invited, and so on.

"Merida! Merida!" Trianna laughed. "Let's get the seat back up and I'll tell you everything.

"I'm so excited!" I cheered as I leapt up and simply righted the loveseat back up with Trianna in it. "Tell us everything!"

I grabbed my chair and hauled it over to sit beside Trianna, gazing up at her excitedly.

"Nothing much to tell," Aelfric laughed. "We grew closer together over the years at Ostagar, then as we helped each other throughout the past year with running the place and organizing everything, we fell in love. A week ago I asked her to marry me."

The expression I gave Aelfric was full of disappointment, "You could not have told that story with less enthusiasm if you tried."

"I didn't know I was expected to make a grandiose tale of it," he shrugged in apology.

"You really do need to spice it up," Serena said, agreeing with me. "It's a story you'll tell your children, and your people will tell about their leaders."

"But that's all there was to it," Aelfric sighed defensively.

"I'll work on the embellishment," Trianna chuckled.

"I'm surprised that particular tale hasn't already been told among us," Allen mused thoughtfully.

"What do you mean?" I asked, looking at him as he had some sort of idea.

"He's just being foolish," Faren growled. "Pay him no mind."

Allen cleared his throat and sat back from Faren's snarl, "Indeed so…"

"Anyway…" Trianna tried to diffuse the situation, "We plan on marrying in the spring. We want you all there."

"Of course we'll be there," I shouted as if that was the obvious answer.

Serena clapped, "Indeed! We'll all be sure to make it."

Trianna looked at me, "And, Merida?"

"Yes?" I asked, all smiles and excitement.

"Since maids of honor aren't a thing in Thedas," she began but had to increase the volume of her voice over my lengthy, exuberant squealing, "we would like you to preside over the ceremony."

I screamed with excitement and toppled Trianna and the loveseat with another hug, "Yes! I would love to!"

"Huh… no guard," Allen chuckled. "She restrained herself that time."

"Or they're starting to expect it," Aelfric sighed in amusement.

"You make another joke and they'll have one less guest," Faren eyed Allen.

Allen just raised his hands up as if in surrender.

"As joyous as this news is, there's something else we need to discuss," Allen cleared his throat.

That brought the mood down instantly.

"After going through everything in the college, I managed to convince Morrigan to help teach some of the more…" he paused as he considered his next words carefully, "esoteric magic that she knows."

"That's good, right?" Trianna asked.

"That's not at all like her. Did you give her the grimoire?" I demanded.

Allen's expression tightened, "That's what I wanted to talk to you all about. She agreed to teach at the college for five years if she could have the grimoire."

"And you gave it to her?" Aelfric balked.

"I needed someone like her to help with different studies at the college," Allen defended himself. "And she's a genius when it comes to researching older magic. We could use her knowledge to our advantage."

"For five years, maybe," Serena chided. "If she doesn't bother disappearing before then. This is going to have her sending people after Flemeth!"

"I doubt that part will matter," I hummed. "Flemeth was never in any danger to begin with. You could kill one of her bodies, but she'd just find another one to inhabit. Besides, if Solas has made himself known, we'll probably need help from Morrigan and Mythal to defeat him."

"Mythal?" Faren asked.

"Flemeth's true name," Trianna clarified. "I'm surprised you didn't know that."

"A lot of the lore confused me, if I'm being honest," Faren finished his mead. "I'm surprised Merida can remember as much of it as she does."

"Merida?" Allen teased. "Don't you mean Paragon Orodum?"

"If he kills you in a fit you riled him into, no one here will call for any punishment," Serena warned.

"Is there a reason you're needling Faren tonight, Allen?" I asked with an exasperated expression. I was trying to be excited for my friend's engagement.

"I just hate to see an opportunity go to waste," Allen huffed. "Neither do you, Merida. Everything you've accomplished proves that."

"And what opportunity is being missed that has you goading Faren into a fight?" I crossed my arms in irritation.

"Are you joking?" Allen barked a laugh. "Trianna and Aelfric get together, but you and Faren haven't even considered it?"

"I'm going to pretend you didn't just suggest that," I hissed as tears welled in the corners of my eyes.

"What? Why?" Allen asked incredulously.

"Because she just got over losing her fiance!" Serena moved over to rest a supportive hand on my shoulder. "They were friends for over ten years! Don't you have any scruples?"

"I'm sorry, I thought that was more of a political thing," Allen admitted. "I honestly didn't think that the feelings were genuine. Or, at least not yours, Merida."

"Why would you think that?" Faren growled, standing now and absolutely fuming.

"Because she's a dwarf," Allen explained. "You may not remember it, but dwarves typically have one spouse but multiple partners to ensure they have plenty of heirs and warriors. The entire caste system is built so that people can marry up through noble hunters and the like. So I figured Merida was marrying Frandlin for political leverage, and that the two of you would just have your own thing going on the side."

I glared at Allen for several moments then just lowered my head and fondled the ring that Frandlin had given me with his proposal, "That's not what it was."

"Again, I'm sorry," Allen apologized. "It's just, you and Faren are always together, and he gets so defensive over you even when someone says anything."

"I'm her personal guard," Faren insisted. "It's my duty to get defensive whenever someone threatens her person or her reputation."

"Clearly,"Allen sighed.

The rest of the evening was more sober. The argument had left feelings raw but we muddled through, sharing news, discussing plans, and getting things squared away for the ceremony.

The ceremony itself went off without a hitch. It was a lovely white affair with flowers everywhere.

Trianna and Aelfric gave Serena a vhenadahl tree seed, which Trianna used some magic to encourage it to sprout. It was meant as a symbol of the connection between Serena and Trianna. Alistair saw it as an excellent future tree for their grandchildren to climb on.

I surprised Serena with my gift of Vigil Keep's walls being rebuilt and had the dwarves get to work that same day.

I also made a pig of myself by enjoying as much of the delicious food as possible.

Allen presented the couple with rings that would shine whenever one of them was facing the other no matter the distance.

I insisted that Faren and Allen make up later that day. I knew Faren would hold onto that grudge for some time, likely forever in some small way, but I didn't need bad blood between the Fated. There were still threats to deal with in Thedas, and I needed us to be able to work together to defeat them.

We stayed for another two days before taking our leave. I took a great deal of time speaking with the human nobles who'd arrived for the wedding and introduced Bhelen to them as well. King Maric and I had a conversation about Loghain's death, as well as trade prospects and how he could help with hunting down Carta members. Allen and I took some time to go over the college expenses and a few possible expansions to the tower which I could work on having done so long as he passed the coin for the materials and labor my way. I promised Trianna that I would write and that I would arrive early to help in any way I could to prepare for the wedding.

We left the masons and engineers behind. It would take them three months to finish the walls properly. The trip home to Orzammar was interrupted one evening as Faren and I were reading in our tent about a week into the journey.

A loud sound outside caught our attention. Another sound, similar to the first, had us looking at each other in confusion. Faren stood and grabbed his sword, then moved slowly to the tent's entrance.

We both gasped when a tall, elderly woman with white styled hair and elegant leather armor entered the room. Her yellow eyes grinned down at us, "Ah haha! I see I've interrupted your reading. Do forgive me."

I stood in shock and stared up at the woman, whispering in terrified awe, "Mythal…"

She cackled and smiled, "My my, someone does know more than they should, don't they? But, do please, call me Flemeth. Everyone does." She looked at Faren and chuckled, "You may put the weapon down, master dwarf. I'm no threat to your Lady. In fact, I'm here to give her some gifts."

The way she said it didn't exactly put Faren at ease, or me for that matter. Faren looked back at me and I simply nodded for him to stand down.

"Please, let us sit and talk," Flemeth's voice wormed its way through the room. "May I?"

I bowed my head and motioned for her to take one of the chairs for herself, "By all means, My Lady. It's a true honor to have you here. I trust my guards are alright?"

"Oh, they're just sleeping," she laughed as Faren moved to stand beside my chair. "They'll wake right as rain after I depart. But I must say, the honor is mine, Princess. Paragon Orodum is a name that I've heard often enough as of late. And seeing you handle that archdemon? A sight to behold. Like the ancient dwarves of old."

"You saw that?" I asked in confusion. "Were you scrying the battle?"

The crone just tilted her head back and laughed, "No, Princess. I was there."

Faren and I looked at each other, then back to Flemeth, "I think we would have noticed you, of all people. You tend to stick out."

She laughed again, "Do I? I'm not so sure. I can blend in when I wish. After all, I ran right past you and you didn't notice."

"What? When?"

Her laughter was bathed in pure amusement, "Oh, my dear, I wouldn't worry about it too much. You were going through quite the metamorphosis at the time."

"I wasn't," Faren protested. "And I didn't see you."

"No, you weren't," Flemeth sneered. "You were trying so desperately to get to your beloved… Princess."

"You had to be in disguise," I shook my head. "It wouldn't matter what I was going through, I would still have noticed you."

Flemeth hummed in consideration, placing a finger on her chin in mock thoughtfulness, "Yes. I suppose you would have. You tend to have an eye for detail, don't you? No matter. I will admit that I was in disguise, as one of the Grey Wardens, in fact."

"As one of the… By the Stone…" I gasped quietly.

"Now you understand," she chuckled. "But there's no need to fret. Urthemiel's soul is safe with me for now. I have no desire to see it used to create another archdemon."

"You can't keep it with you," I exclaimed.

"Oh? And why not?" Flemeth canted her head in amusement.

"Because Fen'Harel has awoken," I explained with a small amount of fear creeping into my voice. "He's going to try and unmake the world by removing the veil. He'll kill you to gain your soul and Urthemiel's to do it. Then he'll hunt down Razikale and Lusacan and take their souls for himself as well."

Flemeth's eyes narrowed and her jovial demeanor disappeared, "Fen'Harel is awake? How do you know this?"

"We're Fated," I motioned between Faren and myself. "Us and four others. We were born with knowledge about Thedas' past and future. We're trying to work together to end the largest dangers we know of and improve the world in ways we know we can."

"Indeed? I suppose this is why the elves now have a home in Ostagar," Flemeth surmised. "And why the dwarves have gained the Surface Caste in such a short span of time. Let us suppose that what you say is true, that the Dread Wolf has returned to Thedas. What is it you plan to do to stop him, Princess? I can't help but believe you have some plan."

I nodded firmly, "I do have a plan. It wasn't to stop Fen'Harel, it was to keep Thedas safe. But it will help to stop Fen'Harel."

"Indulge me, then," she grinned, her amusement returning. "Tell me your plans."

"I had planned to hunt down the remaining old gods and kill them," I admitted. "I know the people who are aware of their prison's locations. I'm going to bring my people to the prisons, clear the paths to them, and then I'm going to kill them myself."

"I sense that those plans have changed slightly," Flemeth hummed. "Does this have something to do with what you did at Ostagar?"

I nodded slowly, "Yes. I need to get answers. I need to learn how best to use these powers."

"You're seeking answers from your parents? Do you think they'll even speak to you?"

I nodded again, desperate, "From the Titans, yes. They spoke to me to endow me with this power. They trusted me to see these things done."

Flemeth hummed in consideration, "So… The pillars of the earth have begun to wake again, and they're working through you?"

"And you killed some of them…" I let the information hang in the air. "But I don't care about that. I care about keeping Thedas as it is now. Fen'Harel isn't strong enough to do anything just yet. So I need to learn to master this power before he regains all of his."

"Do you think your power could rival one of the Evanuris?" Flemeth chuckled.

"It took all of the Evanuris and your people to put the Titans to sleep," I confirmed. "I'm a powerful mage in my own right. I'm likely one of the most powerful mages in Thedas now as I have been training since I was one year old every single night and most days. And now I'm beginning to wield the power of the Titans. I'd say I'd be able to at least challenge him if I can master these powers."

Flemeth sat forward and cackled, "Oh, my dear Princess, you are exactly the person I'd hoped you would be. After everything I've heard, and having spoken to you now, I believe you'll take special care of the gifts I brought you. Please, come in."

An older dwarf poked his head into the tent, "Everything alright in here?"

"Of course," Flemeth replied with a smile. "Both of you come in now. I would like to introduce you to the Princess."

The dwarf waved to someone, "Come along now, my boy. We're going to meet someone very special."

I recognized the voice, but when I saw a young dwarf around my age with no beard and pale skin, smiling absently at me as he trotted in, I gasped, "Sandal!"

"Enchantment?" Sandal asked.

Flemeth laughed, "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised you would know these two."

Bodhan, the older dwarf, bowed low, "It is an honor to be in your presence, Paragon Orodum. I don't believe we've met, but you seem to know my boy."

I moved from my seat and approached the pair, "I know you, as well. Bodhan Feddic and your adopted son, Sandal. It is my pleasure to meet you both."

Bodhan tried to get Sandal to bow to no avail, "Forgive him, My Lady. He's a bit touched."

I chuckled and shook my head, "I understand. I want the two of you to make yourselves comfortable. You will become a part of my House, and I will keep you under my protection."

"You are most generous, My Lady," Bodhan bowed once again.

"Not at all," I motioned to Faren. "Faren here will make sure you're comfortable during the rest of the trip back to Orzammar. When we get there, I'll have quarters set up for you and your boy."

Faren approached Bodhan and nodded, "Come with me. I'll get you set up in camp."

"As you say, Ser," Bodhan complied with a smile. He placed a hand on Sandal's back to guide him along, "Come long, my boy. This nice man is going to bring us to our beds for the night."

"Enchantment?" Sandal replied curiously.

"A very comfortable bed," I assured them.

"Enchantment!" Sandal cheered as they left the tent.

I turned back to Flemeth, taking my seat across from her once again, "So… He does have the soul of Zazikel inside him, then?"

Flemeth hummed in dismay, "Known to The People as Andruil. Even I don't know how her soul bound itself to the boy. But it is there. And I knew that if anyone could keep him safe, it would be you, Princess."

"No harm will come to Sandal or Bodhan so long as I live," I promised.

"I don't doubt that at all," Flemeth grinned. "But there is another gift I must give you if you truly believe Fen'Harel is awake and regaining his strength."

"What's that?" I raised my brow in curiosity.

Flemeth stood and approached me, taking my hands in hers and helped me to my feet. Her expression was serious with a deep sorrow, "Understand, I would have kept this burden to myself if I did not believe it safer to have it hidden away from the Dread Wolf."

"I thought you said it was a gift," I replied hesitantly, a growing fear crept into me.

"It is…" Flemeth's tone was almost apologetic. "It will give you a great deal more knowledge than you already have. But knowledge is, in itself, a burden. The source of this magic is also a burden. Will you accept it? Will you keep it safe?"

My mind raced as I tried to conceive of what Flemeth of all people could possibly wish to give me that could cause her to act this way. Melancholy was not in her wheelhouse, and it was rare that she ever broke out of her snarky, flippant demeanor. In fact, I could only recollect two times it ever happened. My eyes widened with a mixture of realization and shock.

"But if I take it…" I whispered with no small amount of fear, "that would mean that…"

Flemeth nodded, "It is true. You will become like me. Ageless, like the stone you venerate. But you must agree to accept it. A soul is not forced upon the unwilling, Merida. If you agree to take it, listen to the whispers. You will learn much, and you will grow in power."

"Won't this kill you?" I asked shakily.

"Kill me?" Flemeth broke into a laugh. "My dear child, I'm not giving you my soul. I'm giving you Urthemiel's… or should I say June's? At least, what is left of it after its transformation."

"The elven master of crafts," I mumbled as my recollection caught up with what was happening.

"Just so," Flemeth smiled. "I am certain you will be able to put his knowledge to good use. And his power will aid you in what is to come."

I stared up at the ancient creature before me and tried to process or comprehend what all this could possibly mean. In the end, I simply took a deep breath and nodded firmly, "I'm ready."

No sooner had I said the words than a magical blue orb of light slipped out from Flemeth's chest, trailing wisps of smoky energy. It hovered between us for a few moments before it slipped inside me. I braced myself for something to happen. My eyes were shut tight for several moments before Flemeth burst out with laughter.

I dared to peek at the old woman, "I don't… feel any different."

"Give it some time, my girl," Flemeth chuckled. "You will feel the power swell within you over the next week or so."

"Then what?"

"Just do whatever it is that you were planning to do to begin with," she chuckled. "You will grow attached to the memory of June, and you will gain an affinity for his powers and skills. But in the end, you will still be you. Continue to serve your people as admirably as you have already, and I'm sure you will use this gift well."

"What about you?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Me?" she scoffed. "Well, I, for one, am not meant for the Deep Roads. I made an exception to come meet with you. I will take my leave. When next we meet, I hope that it will be as allies to save this world from its maker."

"If you need anything from me, if there's any way I can help, please let me know," I offered. "

"Just keep yourself, and the boy, safe," Flemeth pat my hand. "If you must engage with Fen'Harel, do so with caution. He will not be able to sense the spirit within you, but he may be able to recognize other things about you that could clue him in. And he is a wily one."

"I'll be careful," I promised.

With that, Flemeth took her leave. The rest of the trip back to Orzammar seemed to take forever to me. The power from Urthemiel's spirit had begun to infuse itself with my own and the process took its toll on me. I felt drained of energy for the remainder of the trip and even had to take another week to recover once we were back in Orzammar.

I had Dagna work with Sandal while I recovered. Bhelen was a dear and looked after me almost as much as Kalah fretted over me. Faren was tasked with preparing a sizable convoy after some of my scouts returned with good news.

These next few steps were going to be big ones. Thanks to Flemeth, I would be more capable of seeing them to completion.