A/N: Surprise, Merrill and Isabela are in this chapter! It's not what I had planned, but it's what happened, and I had a hell of a fun time writing them in. So much so that I wrote 3000 words in a day and this chapter ended up becoming the longest one so far lol I've never attempted writing them either. This was a first. I hope I got their characters right. I always worry about that.
this is UNEDITED. I may go back and add things in later if I feel it wasn't enough description, though none of the plot is subject to change, so don't worry about that. To be honest I'm unhappy with a certain portion of this chapter, but I'm posting it anyway because well, I can't be happy with everything I do! lol I'm sure others will enjoy it even when I don't
I'm above 28,000 words now, not up to date enough for Nanowrimo, but hopefully I'll have a few more days of consistent writing and we'll be back on track! Woohoo!
Leave a comment :)
Trees swayed in time with the calm melody of the cardinals' chirping. They flew from branch to branch towards the peak of the lofty pines, disinterested in the world below the vast canopies of the forest.
A group of humans, no more than ten, walked along a trodden path within the forest. It was a common trail for travelers hoping to cut their journeys short. This group looked to be a band of stone-faced Templars, skin ashen but cheeks flushed under the effects of their morning ration of lyrium. A majority of the group marched on, talking quietly between themselves of nothing of importance, while two men walked slowly behind, speaking in hushed whispers.
Eldrin leaned forward upon the thick branch of an oak on which he sat, turning his head slightly to listen in. He could just make out what the two were discussing.
"The mages have made their beds. Divine Justinia will be backing the Order, there is no doubt. This Divine Conclave is just a ruse to put them down like the rapid dogs they are; I know it." The first said, spitting to the side. Eldrin could barely make out what they were saying over the clanging of their armor.
"It is well known that the Divine does not favor either group. I'm not so sure this will be solved as quickly as you may think, though I would like to be back before the end of spring. I had plans to visit my family for Summerday." The other sighed. "It will take a month for us to arrive at the Temple of Sacred Ashes, maybe even longer at this point. If we have to keep stopping every few hours for Sir Coswell to rest his damn knees we may as well head back. There's no way we will arrive by the first of Wintermarch."
The first chortled, snorting quietly. "That old man is going to be the death of us all, I know it. If I have to spend one more night smelling his rancid ass, I'm going to throw myself off the nearest bridge."
Eldrin continued to listen, though they spoke of nothing else of note, until the party disappeared around the bend and yet he waited still, until he was sure they were not coming back. After a moment he slipped from the branch, landing lightly on the balls of his feet. The other four hunters did the same, falling one-by-one, gracefully from their perches, waiting for Eldrin to give an order. He nodded towards them, a quick tilt of his head, causing his long hair to fall over one side of his face, and the group of elves began their hour-long trek back towards camp.
"The hunters are back," Amaryllis said, entering their tent with a flourish that went unnoticed by Ellana, who was attempting to meditate. Amaryllis disregarded this and flopped onto their shared bed, flinging a particularly heavy blanket over at her sister. It landed across her shoulder, sending dust motes flying through the air, yet Ellana still didn't move. Amaryllis sighed and spoke louder. "In case you didn't hear me the first time, the hunters are back."
"I heard you," Ellana muttered, opening one eye to stare disapprovingly at Amaryllis, who was sprawled on her back beside her, twirling the ends of her long hair. "I don't see how that's important. What, did they bring back a dragon?"
Her sister snorted. "Don't I wish. No, they didn't bring back much—"
Ellana scowled and unfurled herself to kick Amaryllis in the thigh, none too gently. "Then why are you interrupting me? I'm busy."
Amaryllis huffed angrily and kicked her sister back. She missed and just grazed the top of her leg. Ellana rolled her eyes and threw her long brown braid back behind her shoulder. One would think, at the age of twenty-three, that the two would have learned to act more their age, yet there were still parts of their childhood they couldn't let go. Annoying each other was one of them.
"If you had let me finish," Amaryllis continued. "I would have said no, they didn't bring back much game, other than the usual, but they brought news. Important news."
"And how do you know that?" Ellana glared while her sister smiled impishly and shrugged.
"I may have overheard something… when I was eavesdropping outside Keeper Deshanna's tent."
"Amaryllis!" Ellana gasped, though if she were to be honest, it wasn't much of a surprise. They both loved to play innocent when it suited them most.
Amaryllis scoffed. "Don't act like you wouldn't have done the same. Who are you, and what have you done with my sister?" She asked, covering her mouth with shaking hands in mock horror. "Is it a demon? Are you possessed?"
"Oh, just shut up and tell me what you heard." Ellana rolled her eyes and smiled.
Amaryllis laughed and shuffled closer, dropping her voice to a low whisper. "Apparently Eldrin came across a small party of travelers. He overheard them discussing a meeting of sorts, in Ferelden. The fighting between the Templars and Mages has become so severe that the Divine has decided to intervene."
"That is important." Ellana agreed, crossing her legs and leaning forward to rest her chin upon her open hand. She lifted an eyebrow in muted curiosity. "Though I doubt it has much to do with us."
"That is not what Keeper Deshanna seems to think." The other woman argued, stretching her legs out in front of her to press her cold toes against her sister's thigh. Ellana grimaced but allowed it. "She seems to think this will impact us as well. She wants to send someone to this 'Divine Conclave' and I'm absolutely sure that someone is you ."
Ellana sat up straighter at that, sunflower eyes growing wide. "What makes you say that?"
"Because that's what I heard her say."
"You must have misunderstood, then," Ellana said, puzzled. "Why would she choose me?"
"Are you daft?" Amaryllis asked, looking at her sister as if she had grown horns or multiple heads that were foaming at the mouth. "You're the clan's first, of course it would be you."
"No no, you definitely misunderstood." Ellana said, making to stand, looking panicked. Amaryllis watched her with confusion. Who else would it have been? "There's no way she said—"
"Amaryllis heard correctly." A quiet, exasperated voice spoke from the opening, startling the two sisters. Keeper Deshanna pushed her way inside. Her calm expression betrayed no emotion, though Ellana was sure if she had been a lesser woman, she might have throttled Amaryllis. "There is to be a meeting in Haven." She met Ellana's gaze and held it. Ellana swallowed nervously, then the Keeper spoke again. "And I want you to attend."
"Attend?" Ellana blinked rapidly and wondered if she had heard the Keeper correctly. "Have you received an invitation?"
"No. What we need for you to do is spy." Keeper Deshanna walked further into the room and took a seat upon a wooden crate across from their bed. "Keep a low profile, watch from a distance, and learn what you can. These peace talks could have an effect on us. The Chantry would never deign to invite any Dalish clan. We are savage beasts in their eyes. This could greatly impact our lives and the future of the Dalish. Someone needs to be there to listen." The Keeper gazed deeply into Ellana's eyes. "You are the only one I can truly trust with this, and if you are to prove to the clan that you will be a faithful leader, now is the time."
Ellana had no time to react, no time to think before Amaryllis stood abruptly. "And I'm going with you."
"Of course." Keeper Deshanna nodded in an attempt to hide a small smile. She had obviously expected this. "I would not dare separate you two, and I could never allow Ellana to go alone."
"That's it?" Ellana asked. "That's all? Just watch and listen?"
"This is no simple task, Ellana. Not only is the journey dangerous, but we do not know what lies ahead of you, and if you are caught?" The Keeper shook her head sadly. "You must be careful."
Ellana stared at the floor, dazed, while Amaryllis had already begun to pace, deep in thought, twisting her long hair between her fingers as she calculated.
"When do we leave?" Amaryllis asked. "It's nearing the end of fall and we all know what time of year Ferelden is most famous for. Not only that, but Haven isn't just around the corner. It's a long way to travel, and even worse in the winter."
"We will begin preparations immediately." Keeper Deshanna stood as well and moved to Ellana's side, crouching low beside her. She set her hand upon the woman's shoulder in reassurance. "Do not worry too much, Ellana. You are a brave woman, and I know you are up to the task."
Ellana finally moved, nodding, expression set in determination. The Keeper was right, she could do this. There was nothing to be afraid of. This was what she had spent years preparing for. "I am. And once it's finished, we will come home."
"Yes," The Keeper's smile seemed to fall for a moment. If either woman had noticed, they made no indication, too caught up in their own thoughts to see . "We will be here, waiting."
Their journey to Haven began a few days later, just as the sun began to rise over the horizon. The air was quiet and still, the ground white with the first snow of the coming winter. It crunched softly under their leather boots. A few brave squirrels bounced from tree to tree, mouths full of food, rustling what few leaves were left upon their branches.
The clan woke early to send them off, with Faelyn and the Keeper at the forefront. The former hugged the two women tightly against her, uncaring of the fact that Amaryllis now loomed over her like the tall, lean beast that she was. The sisters hugged her back, just as lovingly. Not a single eye was dry between the three, though Faelyn's emotion was easily explained by the rounding of her stomach.
"I will be expecting you back in three months' time. Any later than that and I'll come looking for you myself." Faelyn wiped a stray tear from her cheek. Her husband, Manhen, used the sleeve of his tunic to wipe it away, reaching for her hand to squeeze it comfortingly. She smiled.
"Of course we'll be back by then," Amaryllis scoffed as she pulled away, taking a small step back to stand beside her sister who was smiling despite the fact that her pack was heavy and her expression was strained with anxiety. "I wouldn't want to miss the birth of your little one, especially since they're going to be my namesake."
Manhen chuckled and laid a hand upon his wife's stomach. "Did you hear that, da'len ? We're going to have to run away into the woods to save ourselves from this lunatic."
Amaryllis gasped while Faelyn tried to hide her laugh, pressing her lips together to hold it back to no avail. It wasn't long before everyone was laughing, even Keeper Deshanna.
It was the Keeper who spoke then, laying her hands gently upon the sisters' shoulders, then caressing their cheeks while she gazed at them with the sorrowful yet affectionate expression of a mother sending her children away. "We will be waiting for you here, no matter how long it takes for you to return. Mythal re i'na . Da'reth shiral, ma lethal'lan."
Clan Lavellan joined in her farewell, together murmuring " Da'reth shiral, lethal'lan. Mythal re i'na. Tuelanen i'na. "
Ellana and Amaryllis pressed gentle kisses to the Keeper's cheeks, stepping back to bow once to their clan. " Nuva es'an ea tas i'na, lethal'lin. "
With one last wave the sisters turned and began to walk, their eyes set on the horizon, watching as the sun slowly made its way above the treetops, seemingly shining brighter with each step they took towards their final destination.
Three weeks later, Ellana and Amaryllis found themselves finally crossing the Vimmark Mountains into the port city of Kirkwall. The scenery had been quite beautiful until then — broad, endless plains of yellowed wheat, swaying to-and-fro with the slightest breeze, and forests filled with an extensive underbrush, trees higher than towers. The mountains were cold, desolate, seemingly lifeless. They had come across few animals on their journey through and even less trees. The ground was hard and dry. Soil crumbled beneath their feet with every step they took. Amaryllis wondered if it was just the time of year, or if they were always so terrible. It was no wonder the citizens of Kirkwall had gone mad, surrounded on either side by water, the Gallows, Templars, and a distinct lack of, well, anything.
Kirkwall was notoriously dangerous for being the epicenter of the mage rebellion; it was understandable that both women were wary of their visit. Once they began approaching the city limits they took to hiding their staffs under their cloaks for fear of the remaining Templars. Amaryllis would be lying if she said she didn't have a constant feeling of dread in the depths of her stomach, but she kept that to herself, knowing Ellana was just as afraid, if not more so.
"If I keep my robes fastened tightly enough they're less likely to take notice of my choice of clothing," Amaryllis said as she leapt over a small rock, losing her balance in the process. She swung her arms out to catch herself and surprisingly did not fall. "And, like you said, we could probably convince them that you're my servant ," she said with a scowl, scrunching her nose up in distaste. Ellana grinned. "Though I can't say I've ever heard of an Elven servant with Vallaslin. What are we supposed to say if they ask?"
"That it's none of their business," Ellana said. She twisted her hand behind her back to check once more that her staff was fastened and well hidden behind her coat. It was, but she was sure she'd be checking again in a few minutes. "With you here it'll be easy for us to pass through. As long as we keep to ourselves, we'll be fine. You can buy our tickets at the docks and we'll arrive in Jader in a short three days."
"Three days?" A strange voice spoke suddenly from beside them: soft, lilting and melodic. Ellana and Amaryllis jumped quickly, reaching for their staffs on instinct. The woman's eyes were a bright green, wrinkling at the edges as her lips pulled into a gentle smile. "Are you swimming to Jader? That's not good, the water is quite cold this time of year. Your toes might freeze off." She sounded genuinely concerned for their toes' well-being. Amaryllis wasn't sure what to make of the woman.
Ellana positioned herself in front of Amaryllis defensively. "Excuse me? Who are you?"
Amaryllis laid a hand on her sister's shoulder, pulling her back. She shook her head at Ellana's confused look. The woman did not seem dangerous, and it would not do them any good to react this way towards every stranger they met.
Amaryllis spoke before the stranger could answer. "No, not swimming. Our plan was to buy passage to Jader at the docks. You are from Kirkwall?"
"Yes, I have lived in Kirkwall for quite a few years now. Lovely city, if you can ignore the crime and murder. I am Merrill." The woman bowed her head towards them slightly in greeting and peeked around Amaryllis towards Ellana. Her mouth pulled into a small smile though her wide eyes seemed to be searching Ellana's for something Amaryllis couldn't quite put a finger on. The woman spoke to Ellana directly. " An'daran atish'an. Nuvenan ma son. Ane ma nuven'in halani? "
Amaryllis laughed. Of course, to any other Dalish it might have looked like Ellana had been taken captive. With her robes tied so tightly closed it would look to any outsider just like they had wanted it to: a human with her Elven servant.
" Tuelanen i'na, Merrill. Ar melin Amaryllis, ash melin Ellana . Ame son, i na? " Amaryllis said without hesitation, watching as Merrill's eyes darted towards her in surprise.
"I've never heard a human speak Elven, and without an accent ," exclaimed the elf, clapping her hands together in joy. She jumped forward to take their hands, short black hair bouncing with the movement. "It is so nice to meet you both, Amaryllis and Ellana."
"Is your clan somewhere nearby?" Ellana asked, motioning for the three of them to step off the main path. They took a seat upon a few small rocks closer to the edge of a cliff. The drop was not steep and the path continued its winding route below, but from there the outskirts of Kirkwall could easily be seen. If they squinted hard enough they might have been able to make out the very tops of the mansions in Hightown. "I know there are many clans in the Free Marches, but you are the first Dalish we have seen in weeks."
Merrill nodded and her grin fell slightly. Amaryllis wondered what the story was behind that, but did not press. She was still a stranger, after all. "Yes, they are nearby, though I do not stay with them. I live in the city."
"In the city?" Amaryllis repeated, her tone curious. Merrill straightened as if waiting for the inevitable question of why but it did not come. "I hate to ask, but would you be so kind as to lead us to the docks? We've never been to the city before and I'm afraid we might lose our way and waste valuable time."
"Of course," Merrill said, relaxing once more. "When I first arrived I constantly found myself lost. It wouldn't be right to leave you two to defend for yourselves."
"Is it really that dangerous?" Ellana asked, leaning towards the elf with a hopeful expression, though the answer was painfully obvious. A war between rebel mages and bloodthirsty Templars? One run in with a Templar was enough for ten lifetimes.
"Oh, yes," laughed Merrill. "Especially at night, though I wouldn't worry too much. I will help you to the docks. The ride to Jader should be less than two days, and thankfully it is still quite early enough that you might find a ship leaving this afternoon . You might arrive at your destination by tomorrow night!"
"Tomorrow night?" Amaryllis smiled ecstatically and jumped to her feet. "Our timeline was off then. We'll be ahead of schedule!"
"' Ma serannas, Merrill. If we have some time before the ship leaves we would gladly treat you to lunch wherever you would like." Ellana said, standing with a stretch of her arms above her head. She ran a hand distractedly along her braid, deep in thought.
"I don't mind helping you both at all, especially if there's a chance for me to learn more about a human dressed like the Dalish." Merrill joined them where they stood and began leading the duo down the mountain path. She was quick on her feet. It wasn't long before they were walking past small, dilapidated hovels outside the city walls. The air smelled of mud and manure. Children ran about in their bare feet, faces smudged with dirt. Some of the homes had missing sections in their roofs and walls where rain or snow would pour in. There were no adults to be found. They were orphans, then. "What clan do you come from?"
"Clan Lavellan, to the north." Amaryllis murmured, stepped around a cat carrying its freshly killed meal. She grimaced.
"So you're part of a clan, then?" Merrill looked positively intrigued. She stopped beside a small child, sitting in the doorway of one hut, and ran a hand over the little girl's matted hair. She smiled and continued slapping her hands in the mud where she had been forming it into a little mountain. Merrill reached into her pocket and pulled out an apple, handing it to the girl, who took it with glee and immediately bit down. Juice flowed freely down her chin but she did not wipe it away. The elf lifted her pointer finger to her mouth and the little girl did the same, muttering around her mouthful "shh, secret."
Merrill turned and continued walking. "How did that come to be, if you don't mind me asking? I've never heard of such a thing. Unless you were elf-blooded, but your height and facial structure suggest otherwise. Other humans may not be able to tell but," she tapped the side of her head. "It's easy for the Dalish to tell. We know what to look for, even if the features may be subtle."
Ellana looked to Amaryllis with worry, but Amaryllis shook her head. She felt no ill intent from the other elf — in fact she seemed to be quite comfortable speaking with them though the three were essentially strangers. "It's not a story I often tell. The details often evade me."
"You do not have to tell me," Merrill reassured, expression turning regretful. "I'm sorry to have asked if it has brought back painful memories."
"It's alright, it was so long ago that it no longer affects me the same." Amaryllis shrugged. Ellana turned to focus on the open gates they were swiftly approaching, gaze turned steely. She may not have known the full events of the accident, but she knew enough from being woken by Amaryllis's cries, night after night, that she had never pressed for details. " My mother and sister perished in a carriage accident. We were on our way to see my father. I was so young at the time… I remember waking in the forest with the knowledge of nothing but my own name, and the fact that my family was gone."
"Oh dear," Merrill said. They walked slowly through the entrance into the bustling city. Though they were surrounded on all sides by people going about their daily business, the three didn't seem to notice much, too caught up in the moment. "I'm sorry. That must have been difficult to bear."
Amaryllis shrugged again, swallowing thickly against the strange itching in her throat. Ellana finished for her. "Our Keeper found her and brought her to us. Amaryllis has lived with us since then. She is family, though she may not share our blood."
"That is a wonderful end to your story," said Merrill with a smile. "And I thank you for sharing it with me. Not many of the Dalish would be willing to do what your clan has done."
"Yes, they're quite the special bunch." Amaryllis agreed, chuckling lowly. "This does lead me to question — you said I was a 'human dressed as Dalish.' So you did notice, then? Do you think others will?"
"Oh no, the shemlen are usually far too busy caring about their own lives to look twice at your clothing, but..." she said. Merrill pursed her lips and tilted her head to the side, pausing for a moment as she turned her gaze to Amaryllis's dress. "Well, as long as we steer clear of certain sections of Hightown. You would think the nobles would have better things to do than criticize your looks."
"I take it you've experienced it yourself?"
Merrill blinked a few times. "No, they don't usually notice I'm even there, but I've heard them talking about other noble's shoes and let's just say yours are not to their taste."
Ellana snorted and pressed the back of her hand to her mouth to hide her grin. Amaryllis couldn't help but smile as well.
"What is it?" asked Merrill. Her brows furrowed in confusion. "Have I said something rude?"
"No, no," Ellana said, dropping her hand from her face. "You were right on the mark. Her shoes are ugly."
"Excuse me, but you're wearing the same pair!" Amaryllis cried.
"Oh, that's true," Merrill said, nodding in agreement as she stared down at their boots. "But why do they look so different on her?"
Ellana curled into herself in a fit of laughter while Amaryllis huffed in frustration. The three women continued on their way through the city, taking twists and turns until suddenly they were able to smell the sulfuric saltwater and algae-covered wet stones, things Amaryllis had never really noticed as a child. It has been over fourteen years since she had last seen the ocean and to be completely honest, she had never missed it. The thought of deep, dark waters and the bottomless sea has her hair standing on end and her gut roiling. She thought she was over her fear of the water. Apparently not.
Ellana took in her sister's reaction and leaned against her, encouraging her to look away from where the water slapped against the edges of the port. "Will you be alright?" She asked quietly. Merrill didn't notice and continued leading them forward.
Amaryllis took a deep breath to steady herself and nodded tersely. Ellana frowned. "I have to be. We can't afford to go around. The journey is less than two days, Merrill said. I can handle it. I just won't look down."
Ellana sighed but didn't press further. Amaryllis knew she was right. What other choice did they have?
"Here we are," Merrill said, motioning towards a burly, angry looking man with a balding head and an eye-patch. He was speaking to a couple as he leaned against a podium where a book sat before him, writing names onto the pages hastily. He accepted their coin and waved the couple away with a grunt. "Don't let the eye-patch fool you — he isn't a real pirate." She frowned as if the information saddened her. Amaryllis felt sure it did. Merrill seemed like the type of person to think pirates truly had peg-legs, eye-patches, and squawking parrots upon their shoulders. "You can buy passage here. He will point you to the right ship."
" Nuvas ema ir'enastela, Merrill. You have helped us tremendously." Amaryllis thanked her, bowing slightly at the waist.
" Sathem ," said Merrill. "It was no problem at all."
"Kitten!" A voice called out loudly from one of the docked ships and Merrill gasped . Amaryllis turned, twisting her neck as she watched the event unfold in front of her.
A woman flew from the deck and into the air, landing on top of Merrill who fell back onto the ground, straddled by the woman who obviously knew her.
"Isabela!" Merrill cried, wrapping her arms around the woman's shoulders. They held each other for a moment while Ellana and Amaryllis glanced at each other in confusion. "I did not know you were coming!"
"Kitten, I sent you a letter." Isabela stood, helped Merrill to her feet, and began wiping the dirt from her bare knees. She was scantily clad and completely under-dressed for the cold winter weather, yet seemed to be completely unbothered by the chill. Her dress was low-cut, slit up the sides to the dangerous point of almost putting her entire ass on display. Amaryllis would be lying if she said she wasn't jealous of Isabela's body, or her confidence in showing it. "It said I would be here Thursday. Guess what? It's Thursday."
"It's Thursday?" Merrill sucked in a breath, bringing both hands up to cover her mouth. "I thought it was Monday!"
Isabela laughed. "What would you do without me?"
Amaryllis tapped Ellana's shoulder and motioned for them to step away to give the two some time to catch up and buy their tickets. Merrill noticed the movement and took Isabela's arm, turning her to face her new companions.
"This is Amaryllis and Ellana. I met them this morning while I was out picking herbs."
"Hello," Isabela said, shaking both of their hands lightly. She flipped her hair back behind her shoulder and quirked an eyebrow in their direction.
"They're here to take a boat to Jader." Merrill added, gazing longingly at Isabela as if she were begging.
The woman sighed, gesturing towards her vessel with a twist of her wrist. "And I suppose you'd like me to take them?"
"Oh, would you please?" Merrill asked, jutting her bottom lip out. Isabela pinched the bridge of her nose and huffed.
"And I'm also guessing this is because you want me to take you with. Am I right?"
"It's been so long since I rode your boat!" The elf exclaimed.
"Ship," Isabela said, curling her lip in disapproval. "It's a ship , Kitten, not a boat. How many times have I told you this?" She turned toward the two girls, who still stood awkwardly to the sidelines, playing with the ends of their hair. "What's your plan, then? Why are you going to Jader?"
Amaryllis answered quickly. "To visit my uncle."
Isabela smirked. "And what is this uncle's name?"
"Um," She bit her bottom lip and glanced towards Ellana once, who jabbed her in the side for being so obvious. "Haw...thorne? Hawthorne."
"I've never heard of this Hawthorne," The pirate twirled her hair idly around her fingers. "What are you going for, really?"
"We're going to Haven, to the Temple of Sacred Ashes." Ellana said. Amaryllis turned to her, shocked, and her sister shrugged. "You were too obvious, Lis."
"A Dalish elf, going to Andraste's temple?" Isabela scoffed. "Whatever for?"
"Our Keeper is ill. We're willing to try anything that will save her." Ellana looked sorrowfully down at the ground, and Amaryllis followed suit, trying to ignore the irregular beating of her heart. Lying had never been her strong suit. She didn't like the anxiety that came with it.
"I see." The woman watched them for a long moment then finally sighed, turning to Merrill. "Alright. I'm supposed to be heading towards Antiva in a week's time, and was hoping to relax here for a bit with you, spend a few nights at the Blooming Rose… but I can't resist those puppy dog eyes, or the chance to spend a few days at sea with my little Kitten." The pirate smiled, and Merrill dove towards her, wrapping her arms around the woman as she jumped for joy.
"Oh, thank you Isabela! When will we be leaving? I need to go back to my house, grab a few things, lock the doors…"
"You haven't locked your doors?" Isabela exclaimed. "Andraste's knickers, Merrill, you're going to be robbed blind."
"It's not as if they can take my eyes," the elf murmured. "They're attached to my body. The mirror is a wonderful deterrent as well. I leave it unlocked every day, and I've never seen anything go missing."
"That you've noticed ." The pirate rolled her eyes and put her hands determinedly on her hips, looking towards the duo again. "Alright, I'll give you passage at a discounted price, since you're a friend of a friend. Two silvers each."
"For one night?" Amaryllis squeaked, leaning to whisper to Ellana. "Isn't that steep?"
"I don't know!" She hissed back. Isabela watched them with open amusement. "Fine, two silvers each. Thank you for helping us."
"It's my pleasure," Isabela drawled, holding her hand out to accept their coin with a wink. "Now let's go and kick some thieving ass."
A/N:
1. Mythal re i'na. Da'reth shiral, ma lethal'lan. - Basically, "Mythal be with you. Farewell, my kin" lethal'lan means kin, friend, family, etc. It's only used for people close to you.
2. Tuelanen i'na. - Creators be with you
3. Nuva es'an ea tas i'na, lethal'lin - May they also be with you, friend
4. An'daran atish'an. Nuvenan ma son. Ane ma nuven'in halani? - Greetings, I hope you are well. Do you need help? (Are you in need of assistance?)
5. Tuelanen i'na, Merrill. Ar melin Amaryllis, ash melin Ellana. Ame son, i na? - Greetings (creators be with you, can also be a greeting) Merrill. I am Amaryllis, she is Ellana. I am well, how are you? (she says this to show Merrill, obviously, that she is no threat)
6. 'Ma serannas - Thank you
7. Nuvas ema ir'enastela - Thank you so much (may you have great blessings)
8. Sathem (lasa halani) - You're welcome (Pleased to be of service)
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