TMM: Leaving the Nest

She sat at the desk fuming. Anger coursing through every inch of her soul with each line she read. She was so consumed she hardly noticed her father walking in to his study catching his daughter skimming through his personal effects. However it didn't matter to her when he made his presence known with a parental clearing of the throat as to say 'excuse me'. No, Lorelei didn't care to face her father. He had lost the right after she found the first letter; confessions of love from an Orlesian noble to a Dalish first. The affair that spanned almost two years nearly cost them their titles. It was a nearly a year and a season when the letters suddenly stopped. Searching for the answer led her to her father's journal.

I received a message regarding a matter that was of great importance to me. I was concerned that the sender was anonymous but the described meeting place was close to my heart. About a days ride south of Val Foret lies a small river where the Waking Sea and Lake Celestine meet. It was here where I saw her, a dark haired vision that changed my life forever. We were from two different worlds both carrying a strong distrust, but we fell in love anyway. Several months passed since I saw her last, so I didn't hesitate for a chance to see her again.

While arriving to our meeting place I notice tents that have never been there before. I grew worried as unknown faces came into view however most were unarmed and showed little to no hostility. They stopped me a few feet from their camp preventing me from going further. Their keeper approached me, her face filled with wisdom but also much sadness. I realized something must have happened for them to be here.

I asked if she was here and if I could see her but was denied. They only told me she was very ill; that she only had a few days left, a week at the most. I tried to explain to them that I loved her. No matter who she was; she was everything to me, and I would do anything for her. They refused to hear it. I felt the disdain in their voices and saw the contempt in their eyes. To them I was just a human who had poisoned their impending keeper's heart.
  
It was then that one of them handed me this small bundle wrapped in a silk scarf, a present I had given her. However this was different as it started to move and coo. I looked down to see two beautiful eyes staring at me. To witness those perfect gems looking up at me made my heart jump.

The elder tells me the child's name is Usahtiel. Thoughts travel to my love. I wonder how deeply she wanted a child, how much she wished for us to be together; having this wonderful link between our races. It's a shame that neither of us is wanted here. Given our history, the elves manner is understandable. However, it breaks my heart for this child to suffer for it.

I only asked of one thing; if they could send my last words of love to her mother. Most of them neither acknowledged nor refused my request, but the elder nodded which gave me a sliver of hope.
I left with this small package of love and headed back to Orlais. For now, she will be raised as an Orlesian, and in time she will learn the truth. I only wonder when the right moment will be. Until that day comes I shall love her for the both of us, and give her everything her mother would want her to have.
My chérie; my little Lorelei.  

Her father coughed again as a parent would to get their child's attention. Lorelei's hands balled into tight fists upon the desk as she stood. Her head hung heavy as she rose letting her hair fall around her neck, revealing the secret she constantly hid. Her birthright that she had always wondered about but never told when asked. Two pointed ears that separated the cascade of ebony and copper.

She sighed, at a loss for what to make of the letters and entries she read. She knew that her father was keeping something from her, but never thought it would cut so deep. After all this; twenty years of lies and secrets, she could only shake her head in disbelief.

"Lor'elei, what are you doing?" Her father asked wondering the cause of her distress. She flinched at his words, tears falling upon the pages.
"Why?" She whispered, body shaking with anger and betrayal.
Her father glanced over his desk observing the mess of letters and the opened journal. His heart sank. For years he wanted to tell Lorelei the truth yet could not find the words; never did he want her to find out like this. He cautiously stepped towards his daughter worried of what she might do.

"You must understand chérie." He said almost pleading.
"Don't!" She yelled feeling a magical aura surging about her. This was the first time she'd felt this way, the first time she shouted at her father, and the only time she felt truly alienated. She finally lifted her head to face her father, aqua eyes glistening.

"All this time," she choked out the words taking hold of the last pages in the journal. "you lied to me."
Her father shook his head searching for a way to explain. But, she didn't care to hear it. She ran from the room ripping the pages tightly trapped in her vice-like hands.

She escaped to a nearby guest room, slammed the door and pressed her body into it. Frantic, she looked about for anything that could hold it shut but nothing was within her grasp. She was about to give up until her prayers were answered in an unexpected way. She was startled by the walls shaking and slowly backed away from the door. As if nature heard her cry, thick vines sprouted from the walls entangling themselves throughout the frame of the door and finally branching out from the celling to the floor.

Lorelei could only stand there wide eyed not fully aware of what was happening. Hearing the noise outside she knew it was only a matter of time before her father would break through. She backed away to the balcony and huddled against the wall. With her knees tucked in she held herself questioning what she could do next, yearning that some unexplained power could assist her once more.

She jumped to her feet at the sound of axes at the door. Her breathing became heavy as she grasped at the balcony railing, afraid there was nowhere else for her to go. Suddenly she felt something change within and her body grew calm. She closed her eyes for only a moment and when she opened them again she saw a vision of feathers. She realized what had to be done but her heart felt like it was going to burst at the idea she had in her head.
She climbed onto the railing, desperately trying to steady herself.
Maker what am I doing?
Once she gained her balance, she closed her eyes once more and began to concentrate. She had only changed a few times when she was younger. A wolf pup one day, another time a cat, but nothing of the form she was trying to attempt this day; and she terribly hated heights.
"LOR'ELEI!" Her father's voice nearly stole her away from her focus, yet she held on despite the interruption. She maintained her calm though her heart was breaking. Slowly, she turned to face her father for the last time.

"I am sor'ry papa." With a single tear falling down her cheek, she fell. Her father ran to the balcony reaching out to his daughter desperately trying to grasp at anything to pull her up. But he was too late, and she was nowhere in sight. He screamed in agony arms stretched out into the empty void leaning more over the balcony. His only bond severed his will to live gone. Just as he thought all was lost, a single black feather came into view. He looked up to see a raven flying into the horizon, stray pages tucked tightly in its claws.




Two years had passed since Lorelei left her home in Orlais. She eventually found her mother's clan and joined them within those years, learning more about her powers and herself. Yet once they ventured deep into Ferelden territory she decided it was best for her to leave. Forever grateful for the knowledge she gained, but she never felt like she truly belonged. Yet again she was left another family, along with a piece of her heart.

She traveled around Ferelden for a few months, taking in all it had to offer. The difference was astounding. Coming from a place full of color and  exotic smells to a world of brown hues and dog shit was a bit of a culture shock, but she took it all in stride. In time she found a few small jobs in Lothering for a healer or any one willing to 'clean up' a few messes, making sure she stayed clear of the Templars along the way.

It wasn't long until she found her way to Denerum. It was a nice place; had nothing on Val Royeaux but it was nice all the same. Upon entering the city there were a few stares, especially when walking by the local chantry. She welcomed most of the attention save for the questionable looks from the Chanters and Templars. She only stayed for a few days, taking jobs and buying rations before finally leaving.

While wondering the backstreets she noticed some travelers heading her way. They looked well-armed and she wasn't in the mood for any kind of conflict, so backtracking a bit she found a small alleyway clear of witnesses. She quickly changed out of her cloths and into a wolf form, surveying the area again before venturing out with her pack tied around her waist.

Everything was going well; she slipped passed the strangers and continued on in her wild form. But it was short lived as she heard a loud snap from behind. A sharp pain shot from her leg up her spine and she looked back to see her foot caught in a small trap. She thought of all the curses she could scream out but didn't fear of anyone to find her like this. Immediately she changed back to her human self and put on an extra dress in her pack. Searching around she found a stray branch strong enough to reopen the trap and release her foot.

She hissed at the sight of it; the gash went through to splintered bone. it wasn't badly broken but her healing was hardly helping. The bone was setting, muscles binding, but it wasn't enough and she was out of lyrium; she would have to do this the hard way. She reached into her pack and found her last bunch of elfroot then tore a part of her dress for a makeshift bandage. With a couple rocks she mashed the root to a paste for the wound and wrapped it with the torn cloth. It was like hundreds of bees stinging at once but the it stopped the bleeding for now.

Using her staff as a crutch she continued slowly mainly waiting to recover enough mana, but with her stress on her body it was a tedious task. All the while she tried to take her mind off the pain, thinking about the good times in Orlais and with the Dalish. She was going to run out of moments to recount until she came to a small clearing.

Either her eyes were already going or that was an inn within her sights. She swiftly limped towards the inn exausting her remaining energy as she knocked on the door with shaky hands. A balding man with a pot belly and peggedleg answered looking at Lorelei dumbfounded as she tried to speak. With no strength left she fell onto the man but reeled back in his arms. She observed her unexpected savior throughly and presented her best Orlesian greeting.
"…pink shirt?" She whispered before completely passing out. The man scowled at her comment but he wasn't going to leave her to her fate.
"It's not pink, it's salmon." He grumbled dragging her inside.



The feeling of wet sandpaper scraping across her cheek gradually woke a dazed Lorelei. She slowly opened her eyes and saw six eyes looking back. The four belonged to a pair of elven twins starring at her intently. The remaining were that of an aging Mabari with a not so cheerful disposition. She felt the wetness on her face and quickly put the two together. With an alarmed cry, she jumped from the lounge chair she was resting on. Lorelei's outburst seemed to upset one of the girls as she tightly grabbed hold of her glaring sister's hand. The Mabari however paid no mind. With his job done, he strolled away to lay down on a small rug by the fireplace.

Lorelei scowled wipping away the slobber from her face. It took a moment, but she soon realized she was standing on both feet with no trouble. She looked down at her bare foot an examined the damage. Besides a small scar and a day's worth of soreness, it had healed up nicely. Lorelei smiled at her efforts and preceded to put on her boot.

"So, seems you're up." A familar ruff voice came from behind the bar. She couldn't tell who it was until the body completly stood up. It was the same man from before still carrying the same scowl.
"An' don't mind Boss, he's always like that."
Lorelei looked over to the Mabari still resting by the fire then back to the barkeep.
"Name's  Ernie Barnard." He grunted. "Call me Barnard if you want." He proceeded to wipe off the bar, not paying attention to her directly. "If ya need a room and got the coin, I can set ya up."
A short giggle escaped one of the elves. "I wouldn't bother with her, she's got nothin." The more direct to the two spoke like she knew more then she would let on.
Lorelei calmly chuckled, brushing off the potential thief.
"Excuse me pe'tite, you ar' too quick to presume." She smirked as she reached into the brassiere of her dress and to everyone's surprise, pulled out a pouch of coins. She smiled as she placed them on the counter. The elves' eyes widened at the sight of the coin purse, and Lorelei watched them closely.
"Watch your eyes l'il ones, 'fore I turn into a crow an' pluck them out." An idle threat, but she wanted to make a point.
The shyer one made a small squeaking noise while the other reeled back, preparing a hit.
Lorelei was about to ready a spell until a stern cough snapped her out of it. She looked over to a lone man sitting at a table several feet away. Apparently he was the guardian of the elven girls as they walked over him with contrite faces. Two things struck her about this man; his hardened look and the symbol on his armor.
Jus' my luck, a bloody Templar!
She was expecting for him to damn her maleficar and send her to the nearest Circle, only he didn't. It appeared his concern was those girls, and other then a cautionary glance he barely paid her any attention. Not that it upset Lorelei in the slightest. She was grateful for any Templar to pass her by with no questions asked. Not wanting to dwell on it further, she put her focus to the bar.

Sitting there she began to reflect upon how she got here with this motley crew around her. She fumbled with the coin purse in her hand, restlessly huffing away the bangs from her forehead.  
Hmm, what 'ave you go'ten yourself in this time Lor'elei?  
Drawing a hand to her hair she noticed an older gentleman sitting at the far end of the bar. It was clear to her he was another mage, but not the good kind. Their eyes met and it sent shivers down Lorelei's spine. He was striking enough for someone of his age however she knew careful steps should be taken with this one.

Unsure of herself she sheepishly ran a portion of hair behind her ear before passing a welcoming nod. It was unlike her to be this shy, but she's never encountered anyone like him before. A mere thought of the things he could do made her nervous. He was nice enough to return the nod and raise a glass of what she hoped was wine. She heard a low chuckle from the old mage as if he knew what she was thinking. She shot him a suspecting stare and backed away from the bar.

In her hurry to leave she paid no attention to her surroundings, until she felt something soft beneath her boot. It wasn't long before the dog's yelp rang out causing its owner to spit out his drink taken aback from the sound.
Lorelei quickly spun around preparing to excuse her intrusion yet stopped when she looked upon the unintentional casualty. She saw his ears were much like hers and had a bad injury to his eye. There was also a bit of color on his skin sneaking out from his armor.
A tattoo?
For a moment she wondered how far it went, however that's not all she noticed.
"Hey! You thould be more careful." His lisp was…interesting to say the least, and the look from his good eye was none to pleasant.
"Apologith." He said gesturing to his compainion.
Lorelei looked at both dog and owner bewildered.
"Apologize...to your dog?" She asked still in disbelief.
"Yeth!" His tone was more demanding.
She continued to glance between the two for a few seconds before ultimately giving up. With a soft sigh she courtly bowed to the dog, bestowing more politeness then needed. "I am indeed sorry…um…dog-"
"Pawth."
"What?"
"Hith name ith Pawth." He stated as if common knowledge while Lorelei looked more confused.
Pawth? Paw...Paws!
She finally deciphered the code and quickly made a proper apology. "I am deeply sor'ry ser Paws. I did not mean to o'fend."
The half elf snorted either surprised Lorelei actually apologized to his dog or offended by her obvious sarcasm. But she was relieved that some compromise was made and once again found safe refuge at the bar.
"Oy, got any wine back there?" She inquired. Barnard grumbled a few things before asking how much she wanted.
"The bottle." She grimly replied, feeling more attention her way. She looked around then sighed deeply, fingers pressing the bridge of her nose.
"Actually, make it two." It seemed she wasn't making many friends at this rate, so she felt it best to retreat to her room with drinks in hand. With any luck she would survive this night; as well as the company.