What did you do today in DA? [Spoilers]

This is my 4th Warden, and my best attempt yet at CC appearance. I think my first City Elf didn't know how to put on makeup properly. 


Previous story here:
Leaving the Circle
TL; DR--> She hates the Circle, hates the Templars more, is accidentally mildly Andrastian because the Templars took her from the Dalish at age 8. Jowan was her only friend in the tower. And she manipulated Duncan into stepping in and conscripting her; the Wardens are her ticket out of the Circle.

---

Lothering and Onwards
What was there to say about Ostagar? It turned out to be a real mess; Eliana was only too glad she'd been out of the center of the fight, and luck holding, plucked from danger by the Witch of the Wilds herself. So, when that same Witch told her to take along her daughter, Morrigan, she didn't refuse outright. Eliana asked Morrigan some questions about herself and by the end of it, she knew they had at least one thing outside of being mages in common. Their formative years had been a prison of magical training, and they both wanted out. Eliana said she could come along, and no, Morrigan did not have to do the cooking. Alistair, really. 


On their way to Lothering, that dog she'd absent mindedly gotten medicine for came to her with a pile of Darkspawn at it's heels. Due to it's usefulness in the fight, and the fact that she would never have been allowed a pet in the Circle, she kept him on. And named him Revas. Freedom, in the Elven language. She wish she could remember more of it than the bits and pieces she recalled.

Upon arrival in Lothering, obvious Bandits are obvious. Reminding the leader that she was a Mage, however, put fear into his heart. However, this did not keep him at bay when he noticed her looking into his stolen goods. The leader surrendered, finally recognizing her might and begging for his life. She sent them on their way.

They were directed to the Tavern for supplies and drinks. Some Chantry Sister begged for the lives of the Soldiers, although Eliana felt pretty justified about burning the spy/assassin/soldiers to a Cinder. The Chantry sister was insistent, and the moment ended. Sigh. Very well, off you go loser. The Chantry sister ended up just being some Chantry initiate and tried to tag along on the Grey Warden mission. Eliana lied to Lel about being a grey warden and Leliana's clever response made Eliana laugh. Still. They needed no further assistance from a religious nut and El told Leliana to leave. However, as Eliana and company puttered around doing what few things there could be done for coin, the red headed nut set upon them once more near the borders of town. Eliana was firm, but then Alistair voted for her to come along in such a way that Eliana laughed. That clown. Fine Alistair. Leliana's in. Alistair made her laugh the way Jowan used to do. How she missed Jowan and hoped he was doing well.

 Little refugee boy ... reminded her of her own lost parents. So, she suggested he go to the Chantry as he was obviously now an orphan.


Sten, the Qunari. Leliana wanted him out, Alistair wanted him out. And if she'd let Lel join, why not the Qunari? If anything, he would be a more useful and interesting traveling companion than "The Maker speaks to me".
Going to the Chantry proved to be just as noisy and full of religion as she had suspected. She declined the donation and got straight to the point. Although Eliana didn't want to bandy about that they were Wardens, she thought this information would get the Revered Mother on their side. However, the woman was being just so stubborn. Just as Eliana was about to lose patience with the infuriating smug Revered Mother, Leliana stepped in and got the key from her.
Okay then. One point for Leliana's usefulness, she supposed. And out the Qunari came from the cage, going on about atonement this and that. Sigh. And he'd been such a promising companion. Hope she hadn't freed some sort of hero wannabe.


But where to go. The Arl may be dead, so less sparkling option than before when Alistair had mentioned it. She'd been wanting to go back to the Circle and rub it in people's noses some more that she'd gotten free of them; even better that there was a legitimate reason to go. Maybe even give Irving an order with these Treaties. But as she was leaving the tavern, two gossiping old men were talking about how demons were running around in the Tower. She couldn't shake a feeling of concern... She was less than fond of the Circle. Jowan was gone, hopefully safe elsewhere. Maybe it had to do with... it had been a place she'd spent rather a lot of time in. The books and learning were probably more than she would have gotten in the Dalish clan; she was unsure about that. If she'd been from Lothering, she wouldn't be any happier that it was in destruction's path. It was an odd feeling, to be concerned for something she'd hated. Just last week, she couldn't wait to be free of it. Well...whether it was to rub it in their noses or cast them out as abominations, she supposed it was where she wanted to go next.
And either outcome was certainly fine with her.

---

Back Again to the Circle
So weird to see the Tower from this side of the lake...
Also, mildly amusing to find out her Qunari companion had stolen cookies from a child on their way here. 


As she spoke to Gregoir about the Circle situation (those gossips had been right about the demons,) it was burning in her to say it. That she would go in and kill all of the people turned monster that had made her miserable the last 12 years. But she remembered the way...Cullen had ran away from her teasing, red faced. How that elven apprentice she'd found in the library had commiserated with her about being an elf. Flashes of the other ...rare but good moments she'd had there. But she didn't want Templar help anyway, did she? Perhaps there were survivors. Geez...She'd never thought herself a hero until this week.
Helping Jowan, helping Orphans, not killing people who had tried to kill her. Although the latter was more due to her companion choices... She made a deal with Gregoir, and told him she'd go first thing in the morning. No good facing demons on an empty stomach and a fuzzy head from travel.


Eliana had her first nightmare since those first few years she'd been in the circle. Alistair explained it was a benefit of being a Warden. Yay? Anything else? They got to talking about Alistair's past. She was curious how much his Templar life remained in him, considering she was a mage. Eliana learned Alistair had to put down a mage, once.... and had lost interest in being a Templar altogether. Good.
Eliana spent the rest of her evening time with Revas. Her companions seemed to want to ask her questions, but instead became more interested in the dog. Sten approved. Morrigan didn't like his gifts. And Revas nearly bit Alistair. Eliana was bemused at everyone's interest in her Mabari. Oh well. Time for rest.

When she awoke, Sten accused her of not being a woman. In his culture, women don't fight. It seemed to be a logic circle, but she played it until he gave up.
----


Immediately, they saw the bodies. The blood. And behind the next door were survivors. Eliana even remembered Wynne from Ostagar. Learning that the whole mess was some power hungry Enchanters fault killed what little sympathy she had for them, and she said so. Leliana and Alistair disagreed, heavily, until Alstair straight up said he refused to fight the good old woman. Eliana sighed. Could she really risk losing the only other Grey Warden she knew during a Blight? Sigh. Fine. They wouldn't kill all the idiots. Onwards.
----
After an encounter with a rebel mage that had survived the flames from her staff, she had some things to think about while battling demons. So....there were others who had hated the circle. Had wanted to see it, and the Chantry fall so badly they had planned and schemed.... She'd not known... perhaps her taciturn nose to the grind nature had kept her alone more than her misery and escape attempts had.
She supposed it had worked out, not being part of this mess. But it was noteworthy that maybe she hadn't had to have been all alone here in the circle if she'd tried a bit harder to connect...
-----

Cullen had been a ...shock. She was kinder to him then their brief knowledge of each other had warranted but he seemed so tormented by...demon sourced visions of her. An innocent crush turned torture, with her as the Star. It would have been complimentary if it hadn't been so horrible. However, she did not take kindly to his ordering her. She told him she would make her own decisions about the outcome once she was above. He was very angry. The old Cullen may be lost forever.
-----
And they saved the day. Kudos to Irving for struggling so well against the mind Control. And when they all came down, Gregoir concluded that it was done, no annulment needed. Eliana looked on in neutral sympathy as Cullen raged against the decision. Poor man. Goodbye, Tower. Eliana intended never to see it again.

----

Back at camp, Eliana was again approached by Sten. Something about being a sorry excuse for a Warden. She told him she wasn't there to impress him and went to Wynne to see if they had a problem there. But none seemed obvious. Wynne said not much but that she was tired and dedicated to the cause.



Leliana and I discussed her vision that was actually a dream. Eliana listened to her story, although she still suspects she's still crazy... the topic turned towards not standing idle in times of crisis. On that, we agreed, and so she seemed to ignore my discomfort with her religion and we parted with a smile on her face, if not mine.


Alistair was looking listless. Maybe it was because his foolishness reminded her of Jowan, but she decided to ask him about how he was handling the Warden Duncan's loss. Guess she should have expected it... talking about death and he asked her if she'd ever lost someone. Of course, she thought of papa. But time had made that sharp pain turn dull... The memory explain her whole life, but it was a memory nonetheless. So, she understood loss, to put it lightly. He seemed cheered up by the discussion, which oddly made her feel better.


Morrigan and I had a intriguing discussion about shape changing. Morrigan seemed glad to hear she'd hated the Circle. It would be useful to develop a relationship with such a one that may just teach something she would never have learned in the Circle...
Maybe enough barter would garner a shape changing lesson.

According to Bodahn, the dwarf she'd saved by coincidence from Darkspawn, Lothering was gone. Miserable little town, anyone who had stayed were too stupid to procreate anyway. more concerning, it seemed some sort of civil war was beginning. Sigh. Eliana had not been much concerned about the sort of politics that wouldn't gain her freedom, when she had been in the Tower with access to such books. She was meant to have been a Keeper... would now be happy to live as a hedge Mage like Morrigan. It's too bad there was a blight on, or she'd have slipped away from the Wardens and done just that already, taint be damned. But, just like Flemyth, no one can hide from a Blight, no matter their power. Perhaps after it were all over she'd slip away... smile.


Speaking of random traders who had followed her on the road, there was a man at the edge of camp. Levi Dryden. Duncan and he had known each other. And Duncan had thought there were useful things at Soldiers peak... never mind that whole Honor of his name business, she was far more interested into that idea. She scoffed, on the inside, at the idea of a haunting. Who cares if the Veil were thin, she'd just successfully navigated the fade itself. just yesterday.

At this point, it was time to empty out her pack. A lot of things she'd picked up weren't useful so she divided them up and gave them to whom she thought might appreciate them the best. Wouldn't hurt to butter up the people who were literally watching her back.
Eliana won lots of points that way, she could tell. Job done, she pet Revas. Having this Mabari was another sign of her hard earned freedom.
Time for rest, and then they would head to Soldier's Peak. Was out if the way, Soldier's peak, and nearer to Denerim, where Loghain resided than she wanted. But that General would hardly expect the remaining Wardens to be investigating a ruin, would he? After going, they would head south to the Elves to take advantage of how far East they were.
-----------------
On the way to Soldiers Peak.


A woman ran towards us, calling for help, an attack of some kind. Regardless of whether she wanted to help, bandits were on the road she intended to use to get to Soldier's peak, and they must be dealt with. As we moved forward, Leliana signaled towards the right silently. There were two traps, a leg hold and a trip wire. Hmm. Eliana signaled to Alistair and Morrigan. They were all on their guard. And therefore not too surprised when the ambush fell upon them. Although, she was surprised by the falling tree....



Her comrades fell quickly to the assassins magic. But her skills were superior, as per usual, and so she persevered alone, calling on a great blizzard that froze most of them to death. Finally, as the last snowflakes lay mealting on the ground, there lay the leader, still breathing.



A handsome tan elf, he did not have a Vallaslin. So, not Dalish then. Must be some city elf. Sigh. This probably had to do with Loghain. Need she know more? It was obvious. Still... she felt no particular anger towards a man just trying to do his job. He'd failed. No harm in waking him and seeing if there were any more information than what she already knew outside of Logahin wanting her dead. So, she told Lel to tie him. And slapped him hard in the face.



She threatened him immediately, but he fessed up pretty easily. It was Loghain, which she'd known. It was just a job, which she'd guessed also. Interestingly, he didn't have a follow up meeting with Loghain. Disappointing, a fuzzy plan to create a trap was dashed quickly.... so far, the elven Crow hadn't been useful. She'd heard a brief mention of the Crows in a fiction novel she'd once been suggested to read. May as well satisfy her curiosity. Asking about that, Leliana piped in. Apparently, she could have asked Leliana before this point. Assassins guild, supposedly successful and the Crow didn't take kindly to that comment. True, his team had nearly bested them, although he didn't know that. Still, why was he telling her all this without a fight?... He claimed no need or pay for silence. Sigh. He was probably lying..... Which he agreed, but then bounced back that there were no point in lying.... He had a proposal. Serving her.



The idea made her rock back on her heels. Perhaps it was her Dalish childhood coming through, but a free elf serving her mildly disgusted her. To cover up her pause, she asked why she would want him. The only thing that sounded like something she needed would be the warning if the Crows ever tried again. The very idea of a "bed warming" made her ears redden. She'd always been very focused in the Circle. Jowan her only friend, and more of a brother... She'd been too stand off ish for any Mage to approach her and too focused. Clearing her throat...What did he want in return? Living. The loyalty discussion showed his pragmatism and his amusing side. Eliana must love clowns, because a laugh always seemed to win her over, if someone could manage it. She asked a few more questions. Deadly sex goddess had a nice ring to it...and signed him on. At least he didn't seem to be like the last two goodie two shoes she'd signed on. Alistair didn't approve, but who was he to talk? He'd okayed the Nut. Speaking of, she sent the Nut back to camp, and moved forward with her new assassin up the road to Soldiers peak.


-------------------


The veil was thin there... Eliana had dealt with demons and abominations, but this was the first time she'd seen such...vivid fade memories playing out for even non mages to see.

----
This was getting irritating. Lots of flashes of a past, some archivist, she didn't care about and no good loot for anyone. Had this been a wasted trip?
----
The next room, the Veil was particularly thin, nothing they couldn't handle. And there, finally, something she could use. An excellent staff.
Her irritation soothed, they moved on
-
---
And then an OBVIOUS possessed ghoul demon. It offered money and a safer Soldiers Peak in return for freedom. She agreed; for now. She would fully investigate these "magics" that trapped "Sophia Dryden" first before really committing. Who knows; maybe another demon had a better deal.

-
----
The next room held very interesting information. Avernus, a long dead Warden, had experimented to improve the taints effects. She wondered if she'd find more. Counteracting the Joining sounded ideal for her plans to leave the Wardens after this and either join a clan or become a hedge Mage.
---

The long dead Warden was not so dead. Huh. He offered a better deal. More information on the Taint and it's effects, and a strengthening of the Veil. Who needed a demon, when an morally questionable human scientist would do?
--
The demon, dead. Hey, nice armor. Here you go, Alistair. The Veil, strengthened. And... a concoction to tap into her taint more efficiently. Avernus assured her there were no side effects. Down it went. Ooo, painful. But she suddenly had knowledge that was very useful indeed. On their way out, they found even better armor. Nice. Sten would be taken care of as well then.

Well, the trip had not been what was promised but, nevertheless, not a loss by a long shot.

Time for the Elves. Eliana was a little nervous. She hadn't seen her people in 12 years. How would they react?

Traveling towards the Brecillian Forrest was there next priority. For now, however, time to chat with her new companions.

Zevran: He didn't choose to be among the Crows? His own words; the system of training them from a young age worked, but it was a guided cage. One where he got near everything he fancied. Pondering differences and similarities in her companion's childhoods, absentmindedly he asked what he fancied. She'd only meant it on the grounds of what form of payment he usually got for his work but then he turned it around into an all out flirt. For the second time since meeting him, she blushed. She stopped herself from stuttering out the first thing that popped into her head, but only just. Calmly, she told him she didn't mind the flirting. He chuckled, seemingly pleased, and shared his long term plans a bit. A business for himself, but for now, he went where Eliana did. Still riding the high of the flirtation, she responded a bit more warmly than she usually did. She was happy to have him along. Considering the way he'd handled himself at Soldier's Peak and how he'd reacted to her demon dealing, as compared to her other companions, well... it was a very true statement. Trying to hide her smile, she went to go check on the rest of her companions.

Since she was very strongly in favor of slipping away from the Wardens come post Blight, she may as well know more about the Order from Alistair before doing so. Severe lack of Wardens in Fereldan. Headquarters were at Weishaupt Fortress, 1000 miles away. No reinforcements could be expected. What would happen if we just left? Horrible things would happen to Fereldan. Okay, well she hadn't meant it seriously. No idea how to make more Wardens at all, so it was up to them. Sheesh. Alistair was not a very well informed Warden, was he. How did he even become one? Dry sarcasm about passing out from Darkspawn Blood. She replied back acidly, haha very funny. Chantry boy turned templar recruit. Interesting; not very religious for Chantry raised stock. He agreed, sharing that he'd been punished many times for his sinful ways. Ded he think the Wardens were better than Templars? Short answer, yes, but this memory lane had brought up his sadness about Duncan. Politely, she apologized, saying she shouldn't have brought it up. And then he buttoned up, not wanting to share his grief. Eliana walked away, frowning this time. When she was 8, Jowan hadn't left her alone to her sadness. He'd been persistent...but Alistair was no child, was he?

Leliana assumed she'd lived in a alienage before the Circle. She didn't feel the need to correct her assumptions so answered as vaguely as possible. But the way Leliana spoke as if she knew all about that hard life incensed Eliana quite a bit. Went on about how Orlais treated their servants better. Eliana would prefer to live in squalor rather than be a servant in some household. She would never choose that life. Rather than taking a hint, Leliana went so far as to imply that elves were preferred over humans; one of the reasons being that they are "pleasing to look at". Like a prize winning animal? That finally got through to the Nut. She apologized. Eliana was still miffed. Regardless, the Nut obviously viewed elves differently and she said so. Leliana recognized she has some stereotypes and assumptions to let go, and took Eliana's anger as a lesson to be learned.

And this had all started so pleasantly with Zevran. Her good mood was lost. Maybe it was just as well. Sten wouldn't be the one to ruin it for once. Well...that went to be as expected. Her mood wasn't worse, but it certainly wasn't better. Eliana did believe she had met someone quite stubborn in this Qunari.

Wynne asked her about abominatios. She was talking oddly about how maybe there could be a reversal of the process. Hoeslt, Eliana had never considered it. Only weak people gave in, and that they should die as a result of their mistake seemed obvious. Why did she care so much, this Wynne?

Time to butter up a Hedge Mage. Small talk was never her forte...uh, Living in the wilds may have been lonely? But then Morrigan described wonderful things. No need for others, so close to nature. This encouraged Morrigan to share a story of innocent thievery of some golden mirror. Eliana encouraged her. This is what she wanted, a rapport, one in which secrets would be shared. Magical secrets. Heartbroken from a smashed mirror? Eliana has a hard time imagining that, but was smart eough not to say so. Survival had meaning, power has meaning. Those were the lessons she learned. Eliana agreed those were important lessons, although within...she had been horrified to hear about Flemyth instructing Morrigan on becoming a Black Widow. Who wants to hear that sort of advice from their mother?

This left Eliana with a question to ponder as she dozed off. Was everyone trapped in their childhood?

---

Breaking camp just outside of Soldiers peak, they followed the road east and south. When they saw a wagon ahead, she initially thought nothing of it. Until they stopped, which put her on her guard. The balding human seemed friendly enough; until he tried to sell her another copy of the forgeries she'd found in the Tower. Which, when she mentioned that, he didn't take kindly to that information. It was a rough battle; there was going to have to be another night of rest after this. Sten wouldn't be happy.

The Dalish

The..."welcoming" was shocking. She had not been old enough to receive a Vallaslin, when she was kidnapped as a child, and therefore, she was treated as any city elf. Eliana hadn't thought she'd really harbored any serious hopes regarding the Dalish, but she was surprised in herself. She was saddened, deeply. From her point of view, she'd been kidnapped away from her people. But it had been too long, and they would not recognize her. Taking a deep breath, she fell back on polite cold formality. But she did not bother telling the guard what they were here for and insisted on speaking directly to the keeper. Even he went out of his way to be cold and indifferent. How dare they. It took all she had not to turn on them and leave. She informed him she was a Grey Warden. Some more disappointment; they couldn't help because of a werewolf problem. A legend had brought the Dalish clan down, it seemed. Morrigan gave credence to the claim; it seemed Flemyth had told Morrigan about them. It seemed "her" people needed Eliana's help before they would give theirs. Her impression of their skills fell lower as the conversation continued. But she was curious to see these Werebeasts; it seemed much a fairy tale, available for perusing in reality. All they promised post help, was assistance with the Blight, as their treaties only required, pah...and "Gratitude" to one who was not their own. Which, pathetically, she wanted, at least a little. Recognition from her people... Sigh. It made her bitter. She'd not thought she would have to earn that.

Lanaya, the keeper's first, approached them asking if she could ask questions. Yes, cities are large, and no, the humans don't care what they did to us that many years ago. Seriously, would she have been as naive and whimsical if she'd remained among the Dalish? Then it was Eliana's turn to ask questions. The hurt very fresh, she asked why they were so hostile. Lanaya agreed that it was unfair, for as an elf, she had not done things to their people. But no outsider had been good for them. Eliana said she didn't mean them harm, and, full of assumptions, Lanaya said Eliana didn't know what it meant to be homeless. Still,... Eliana was hungry for her people and the culture she'd been ripped from. So, even asked questions about things she already knew the answers to. Lanaya's story of her own kidnapping his close to home. Had Eliana's own mother run back to the clan? had anyone tracked her for a month? She would never know, would she? But she did soften towards Zatherien for having saved Lanaya from her fate. Lanaya's story of how she became First was informative. Even if Eliana had remained among her clan...when her magic came to be, she would not have been pure blood enough to become a Keeper without working very hard for it. Still...considering how hard she'd worked in the Circle, she knew she could have done it. Eliana mourned within at the life lost to her. She cut the conversation short and went for a walk around the perimeter of camp to calm herself down. She was sure she maintained a calm face, but inside was turmoil.

After calming herself, she went and talked to all the elves at camp, investigating the circumstances of the requests more thoroughly. Also... as pathetic as she felt it was, she wanted to help these people who had rejected her. If only she could burn the desire out of herself, but there she was, offering help to anyone. Even for the Halla animal.

It was time to make camp and rest before heading into the forest.

---

Eliana had kept to herself the last few nights they'd made camp on the way to the Brecilian Forest. Should have been a clue that she was holding her breath about the Dalish...and now that breath had been wasted, hadn't it? Time to check in with everyone, butter their biscuits a bit. Maybe Zevran the Flirt or even Alistair the Clown would cheer her up.

She was not disappointed when it came to Zevran. His second sentence was to flirt with her. Stare luridly while I asked questions, indeed! but her cheeks pickened ever so slightly anyhow. Ahem. what had he thought of the Dalish? He matter of factly told the story of his Dalish mother giving up her heritage, going to the city, falling on hard times, and ending up a whore. So shocking from what she expected, she reacted strongly about how awful that was. Being raised in a whore house was just odd to her, so far from that life hers had been.


"People like you and I aren't the product of happy lives of contentment, after all." Finally. someone who didn't assume her life was all cushy Circle studying. But he did not think of himself as Dalish at all, despite his fascination with them as a child, as he was raised in Antiva and his assassin life had made him quite different. For some reason, his shrugging off of his Dalish heritage cheered her up. That's what she wanted to do. The whole rejection thing had just been a surprise that she would get over.

Thinking on what they would do, after solving the werewolf problem, of which she had no doubt they would succeed... Redcliffe was on the way to the Dwarves and, dead or not, a town of that size would be a excellent place to get supplies, real rest in a bed...that sort of thing. So, she brought up the Arl to Alistair. We immediately set into teasing each other as if we'd been doing it for years. He was raised by dogs-- tough for the dogs! Silliness and Dreams of cheese on his part, dreams of making mad love with him on Eliana's...it had meant to be so outladish as to make him laugh...but he seemed to take it as some sort of flirt. She'd have to tone it back a bit on that front, then. So, Arl was not his father, did he know who was? Nope. Then he shared how he was sent to the Chantry, some jealous noble woman who sounded beyond irritating. Still, he seemed luckier than most orphans.

Wynne wanted to tell her about how the Circle was proud of her, but considering she'd come very close to killing them all, it was as uncomfortable as it was unnessary. Still, Wynne seemed to approve of her standing by Jowan.
She'd certainly never be ashamed of it, so good for the old woman.

Sten and Eliana debated mages a while, but it was more circular than the conversation they'd had about women and fighting. So, she dropped it.

Morrigan had asked her to look for a Grimoire in the Circle Tower, and Eliana had agreed. What she had not mentioned, however, it that it was already in her pack and that she'd been reading it. Which made her very curious about Flemyth even more than before. So, she asked Morrigan for more info. What Eliana got was quite a tale. Tidbits, unknowing to Morrigan, that connected to what she'd been reading within the Grimoire herself. Still, Eliana wanted to hold on a bit longer to the tome.

Bodahn informed her there was a rumor of darkspawn in Redcliffe. goodness. That place was turning into quite the mess, with a dying or dead Arl and darkspawn attacking.

It was time for sleep then. Werebeasts to track come morning.

---

It became quite clear, as she went through many forest encounters, that there was more to this story than merely some coincidental werewolves involved. They spoke words, for one thing. They mentioned the Keeper as if they knew him well. The ill elf turned werewolf struggled to keep a mysterious "her"'s secret. There were talking trees, a mad hedge mage. And when she spoke to Arthras of his now dead wife she found that apparently the Keeper had lied. Although, maybe it was one of those white lies Eliana didn't approve of. She told Arthras the truth of his wife. Since she was back at camp due to the return of the Hunter, she decided to approach the Keeper again.

The Keeper shrugged off that Werewolves could talk. Did not feel bad about the white lie. Irritated that she hadn't cut out Witherfang's heart so far. Apparently, the hunter they'd saved wanted to have words with her so she went there next. He thanked her and paid her a gem for the help. That sorted, it was time to see if she could get more information on the down low. Maybe it was because she did not have the same glossy glow of the Dalish that she'd had before, but she was suspicious of anyone who would just shrug off talking werewolves. The Clan story teller didn't have much to add, except to confirm what the Elder Oak had said and what she already had been told by the Keeper. Spirits and werewolves were connected.

They'd burned daylight, all this magical mystery. Eliana was not keen to continue in the dark, no matter how many elves may die. She did not want to be bitten during a harried battle. So, back to camp they went.

---

Alistair had been chatting with Leliana about what women saw in Zevran. She didn't exactly understand where this overheard conversation was coming from, nor why it bothered her that he seemed to take issue with the elf. Not everyone must be friends. But she was beginning to be fond of Alistair, as goodie goodie hero as he was, and...must admit an attraction to the assasin. To Zevran. So, maybe she could smooth things over.  Going to Alistair, there was Talk of templars and the Chantry and training and then... Alistair asked her where her home was now.

She'd never thought of the tower as home, and she'd now buried it in her past. The Dalish...crushingly disappointing. Seemed the hedge mage life was for her, although she suspected she would never be as absurd as the apostate in the Brecillian Forest. So, the Dalish would not be her home either. She remained with the Grey Warden's for now, as the Blight was rather a priority. She supposed that, for now, Camp was home. She was certainly more fond of her freedom, even sleeping on the ground, than she ever had of the Tower. Guess they were travelers together. Alistiar got near misty eyed at a future when all this was over. he wanted a home, that was certain, but so many other things were uncertain. he shrugged off his mental wanderings, and Eliana headed over to Zevran. She must ignore Zevran, one of these nights...or she'd make it seem like she was too interested.
But that was not tonight.
 
Zevran jumped at the chance of her presence to ask her a question about what she would do with him when the mission was all over. Huh. These oaths were odd things. She did not own these people. She told him he could go, if he wanted. But then he suggested that maybe he might not wish to leave. Her cheeks reddened at the implication. Maker...She felt too...shy... so settled with the idea that that would be pleasant. She could always use a...friend. But Zevran was NOT too shy. he asked her if they couldn't be more than friends. She swallowed. This was going a very strong direction. Attracted she was, yes, but she would not throw herself at him. So she went with a collected coy, and told him they'd just have to see. Zevran seemed to pick up on the fact that he'd quite flustered her, and congenially ended the conversation, saying he was glad that there were more options in his future than he had thought.

On cloud 9, she headed over to Lel. Asked her more about why she was in Fereldan. Turned out Lel was another orphan. A camp of orphans and difficult childhoods, what an interesting troupe of heros they were. Then Lel mentioned a flower her mother smelled of. El interrupted her to bring her pack out, and handed over the flower. Was this it? And it was. Leliana was quite pleased, thanking her. Then asked her if she'd ever complimented her hair. ha! strange turn of the subject there.

(At this point, I realize I've been ninjamanced. Aww.) Really? This pony tail was that impressive? It's just hair, Lel. But then she complimented it's simplicity and went into a long story about a stupid noble who had birds poop all over her. A startling image. Lel said she felt comfortable around Eliana, that she felt she wouldn't judge her. That was funny! She judged them all, she was just smart enough to keep it to herself. But even when she hid her truth in a joke, Lel missed the lie and laughed and said she enjoyed Eliana's company. Goodness, was this woman coming on to her? But when she gently said that maybe she had gotten the wrong idea, Leliana turned the tables and implied it was Eliana who had misunderstood. O...kay... then. Never mind. She'd misunderstood, if that would make the woman feel better. They parted less awkwardly than she would have guessed, considering the misunderstanding. But she supposed she didn't need to butter up that biscuit any further, eh?

Off to Wynne. She dived in with a serious question. What did being a grey warden mean to Eliana? Was it supposed to mean something? Wynne went into a spiel about how the Grey Wardens serve others, blah blah. Well, Eliana was definitely done with all this serve business. For the last 12 years, "Magic was meant to serve man." Damned if she would serve any longer! Wynne used logic to imply that she was serving, regardless of her thoughts on the matter. Cloud 9 was good and sunk. Why did she keep talking to these people? They did not part amicably. Eliana seethed a bit. Not controlling her emotions would cost some sort of gift later to ensure the old woman's loyalty. Sigh. She should have left her in the tower. All Wynne was doing was nagging her.

Calming herself, she approached Sten. A short conversation, it did lead to learning that his reason for being in Fereldan, and remaining, was more complex than he'd let on.
But he didn't give the whole story.

Morrigan then regaled her with a story of killing Templars. That cheered her up again, to hear about Mages outsmarting them for centuries.
How pleasant.

Time for rest.

---

AS she finished breakfast, she made her decision. She did not wish to kill the Hedge Mage, for she envied his freedom and would not take it from him. Yet the tree seemed no mere abomination, but had shared with her knowledge of times past. She did not want to destroy it.---- Planning to trick him out of the acorn, the mad mage seemed okay with parting with the acorn if she offered trade, and so she did so. It was rather easier than she had thought; he didn't seem to notice the lack of the very acorn he'd asked her to murder the previous owner of.

They finally reached the end of ruins, and into a dark pit they must climb to reach the lowest level. Within, the Werewolves finally sensed that their time was coming to an end and reached out with an attempt to parlay. She refused; they only came because they feared the certain death she would give. Wynne disagreed with that plan, and Zevran agreed that it was probably an ambush. But Wynne was adamant. Sigh. Why did she bring the old bat again? Oh yes. Not enough healing training. Fine. She relented on the parlay. Didn't mean she wouldn't kill them anyway. And so they met the Lady of the Forest Ruin. And she informed Eliana that she had been played the fool. It was Zathrian who had started this curse. Zathrian that had ignored simply ending it to save his own people. Zathrian who had denied it all, shrugged off their ability to speak, to cover up his lie. His lie to Eliana that tricked her into doing his dirty work when he should have just ended the curse and committed his hunters as was promised the Grey Wardens. To say she was furious was an understatement. The Lady wanted her to talk to Zathrian and ask him to end it. maybe in a calmer moment, she would have seen that the fury was partially made up of her hurt of being rejected by her people, but this was not a calm moment. She told the Lady a better idea would be to kill them all. All of those who had rejected her. The Keeper who had lied and would not end a personal grudge just to save his own people. Wynne spoke up, but this time, Eliana ignored her.

No, it was Zevran's hand who stayed her own. This was the first time she had seen sadness on his usually cheerful flirting face and he begged her... Please don't do this.


Eliana gazed at him...took a deep breath... and finally replied that she would find another way. The relief on his face was just as obvious. Eliana turned back to the Lady to resume the parlay. Eliana would endeavor to bring Zathrian to the Forest Spirit so that they may sort out the mess between them. Very well. She headed back towards the Dalish Camp.

Did not get very far; No surprise, Zathrian the liar didn't trust her and had followed her there. Their discussion made her regret her decision not to kill him. But Zevran's face in mind, she gritted her teeth and continued. The blood magic was a surprise and then also kinda not. Seemed it was a popular past time lately. Zathrian tried to kill them all, but he failed stupendously. And that seemed to knock some sense into him, and he ended the curse...and died. Wow. Best outcome ever. She'd made Zevran happy AND encouraged a man she hated to kill himself. She got a shield out of the Ex Werewolves before they ran off. They were probably not going to succeed at blending it if they all kept running in a pack like that...

Upon return to the Dalish Camp, the new Keeper, Lanaya gave a big speech about supporting the Wardens. Finally. Eliana went shopping, stocking up on a massive amount of elfroot.

Using everyone's packs to carry all the elfroot, Eliana had some time to look around once more. This was the family she'd thought she'd left behind. This was the family she'd yearned for for 12 years. She didn't know what kind of life she'd have led if it weren't for the fate that brought her to the Circle. Maybe she'd be her own version of Lanaya within her clan by now. Perhaps... Eliana had rejected the Circle. Her people had rejected her. The Warden's had claimed her, but she hadn't claimed them back. either way...her time with the Dalish had ended. Her childish dreams of being one of them were dead. And she honestly felt no urge to ever see them again.
Their walk outwards to the edge of the forest was somber on Eliana's part. 

---

They made camp. There, Eliana could not help but be drawn into talking with Zevran again. Eliana had never been...in love before. She didn't know what it felt like. All she knew is that she liked this Elven assassin, probably far more than she should, and definitely more than she should let on. She asked him about Antiva... his stories of a rainy glittering gem, Antiva, a warm place he loved was a present in it's own right. Then he said he missed leather. A bit odd. but he had his reasons and she understood them. The smell when she cracked open the Grimoire to read more of Flemyth's magic smelled very much of the Tower. Then, to change the subject, he proceded to compliment her until she demured, shy, and left.

She really needed to leave that assassin alone.

Morrigan and Eliana discussed motherly love, but then it seemed to turn into advice about love in general. "to indulge in love is to indulge in delusion"... yes, Morrigan was quite right. She needed to leave Zevran alone.

Some friendly flirting and teasing with Alistair was followed by the news that she'd die in 30 years due to the taint. Eliana didn't know how to feel about that, she couldn't much imagine 30 years from now. But it made her glad she'd left Avernus alive. She'd have to visit him again, after the Blight, and see how his experiments were going. When she did let herself whine a bit about how it was a high price, Alistair did remind her it was required to end the Blight, and she nodded. Then the discussion turned to Duncan... Maker. But she did have to remind herself it'd taken her a solid year to stop crying about her own parents when she'd went to the Tower. Patience.

She just went over and dumped gifts on Wynne, graciously accepted her thanks, and left. She was really not interested in further discussion. It led to arguments.

Sten had thought her callow? Eh. Worse could be said. But then this insult was followed by his true story of why he could not return back to his people. In the end, she did say she'd look for the sword. Whether she actually would, she did not know. But he seemed quite pleased all the same that she said she would. And then they discussed how Fereldan smelled of dog and that Sten really really liked cookies. Odd man.

Finishing up her round was the nutty Leliana. Lel seemed to be inspired by Zathrain's sacrifice. Was talking to her about dying and grieving. Zethrian's death had reminded Leliana of an elven song... And just as Eliana was about to walk away, Leliana began to sing. It was...beautiful. Eliana was spell bound. And when the spell broke, Eliana couldn't help but just stare at the Bard. If she were even a little bit bisexual, she would have fallen for her in that moment. But she wasn't. She must encourage this woman to sing more often!

And on that high of the evening, she lay down to rest. It'd been a long day of work, ending centuries long curses.

---

In the morning, Eliana mulled over things. According to the rumors she'd been hearing over the last week while she dealt with the Elves, things in Redcliffe had gone from "Unfortunately the Arl is dying" to "People are fleeing Redcliffe because of rumored Darkspawn attacks." Bodahn had also told her that the Dwarven King had died in Orzamaar. This tied in with what the tradesman on the road she'd run into had told her; that Orzamar's doors had been "closed," whatever that meant.

Recliffe sounded more...pressing. If she were going to bother with the politics of getting Fereldan's army behind these treaties, she was going to have to prioritize what was happening there. Orzamaar, at least, did not sound like it was about to burn to the ground. And Redcliffe was on the way to Orzamaar, so that helped with the efficiency of the thing. Eliana informed the group. Alistair looked relieved that we would be looking in on his "Uncle". It would take almost a week just to get there from the edge of the Brecillian Forest on foot. Hopefully, things wouldn't get much worse in the meantime.