Rayd was heavily burdened with the pelt of the golden stag, and with the meat that Endrin had cut from the stag's body, and relief flooded through both of them as they cleared the last of the trees that separated them from the clan's camp. The Sabrae were expecting them, as the hunters had spotted Endrin returning through the woods and had sped back to inform the clan of her coming. Most of the clan were gathered around the bonfire in the middle of the camp. When Endrin saw Caledor, Larethae, Marethari, and Ashalle all standing together it was all she could do to keep from rushing to them, and instead taking the golden pelt from Rayd's back. The entire clan could see the exhaustion that was threatening to take over Endrin completely, but her face also shown with pride at her achievement.

When she finally reached the master hunters, Endrin dropped to one knee, holding the pelt above her, offering it to Caledor and Larethae. It was Larethae who accepted it, running her fingers over the golden colored fur, and as she did so, Caledor said, "You have passed the Rite, Endrin Mahariel. You have made me, Ashalle, and the entire clan very proud today." He gently took Endrin's arm and pulled her to her feet. "Rest now. The rest of the day is yours."

"But tonight," The Keeper, Marethari said. "You will leave your days as a da'len behind, and take your vallaslin." Then she called loud enough to be heard by the entire clan, "And we will sing, and dance, and feast in celebration of the clan's newest hunter, Endrin Mahariel!"

As the clan broke into cheers, Ashalle finally come forward and wrapped her adopted daughter in her arms. What little strength Endrin still had in her limbs seemed to give out, and she fell into Ashalle's embrace.

"I'm so proud of you…" Ashalle said happily. "If only your parents could be here to see you today!"

Endrin looked up into Ashalle's careworn face and answered, "I don't need them here today, because I have you Ashalle." Endrin would always remember the expression and look of happiness that came over Ashalle's face at hearing Endrin's admission. She only vaguely remembered Ashalle half carrying, half leading the way back to the aravel that they shared while Tamlen, Junar, and Fenarel and clapped her on the back, congratulating her. What she didn't remember is going inside the aravel and falling into the bed that awaited her.

When Endrin did wake up she didn't open her eyes right away, she was too comfortable, and too happy to get up, and for a few moments she just lay still and basked in her recent achievements. She was so lost in herself that at first she didn't even notice the smell of flame roasted venison wafting in through the open window, her smile widened, and she became even happier as she heard the sounds of music and laughter coming from the center of the camp. Endrin finally opened her eyes and saw that she wasn't alone.

"Tamlen!" She shouted in surprise.

The blonde elf grinned in an embarrassed way.

"Have you really just been sitting there watching me sleep?!"

"Umm…" He started.

Before Tamlen could say anything else, Endrin lifted up the blanket with one hand and looked down at her body and she breathed a bit easier at seeing she was still dressed. Then she looked back at Tamlen, narrowing her eyes in mock anger. "And why did you let me fall asleep in my hunting leathers!" She demanded, and she couldn't keep her feigned anger anymore and her face broke into a wide grin and she started laughing as she threw the blanket off herself and swung her legs over the side of the bed.

"Hey," Tamlen grinned and held up his hands. "I'm your best friend, but there's only so much I can do." He said playfully.

Endrin stepped towards him and shoved Tamlen backwards against the wall. "And that was for sitting there and watching me sleep… Pervert!"

Tamlen shoved Endrin back and as she stumbled backwards, she hit her legs on the bed and promptly fell backwards into it. Endrin only started laughing again, then held a hand up and said, "Come-on Tam. Help a girl up."

Tamlen took her hand and pulled her up to standing position, the pulled her close and hugged her, Endrin gladly returned the affection.

The night that followed was the happiest night of Endrin's young life. They feasted on the meat provided by the golden stag, and other forest beasts. Sang Dalish songs of triumph and victory, and other songs of the Elvhen that were even older than the Dales. The Sabrae, young and old alike, danced around the bonfire to the sounds of the flute, drum, fiddle, and lute. Statues of the Creators were brought out and decorated with floral wreaths.

When the celebration and festivities finally began to die down, Keeper Marethari called for silence, then said, "You all know why we are here, and the reason for this celebration. Endrin has passed her Rite, and is now counted as a true hunter of the clan!" She had to wait for a moment so that the cheering could die down before she continued. "All that remains is her vallaslin tattoo… Endrin, come forward."

Endrin only swallowed once in apprehension before she walked towards the Keeper.

"Whose mark do you choose?" Marethari asked, just as Ilen, the clan's master craftsman approached, already whittling a piece of charcoal to a fine point.

Endrin almost answered 'Andruil' right away, but somehow it just didn't seem right. Andruil was Goddess of the Hunt, and Endrin was a hunter. But there was someone else who had helped he through her Rite, and who had helped her through her life as far back as she could remember. Rayd. And Rayd was a halla, a child of Ghilan'nain, the guide of the Elvhen. She finally answered, "I choose Andruil and Ghilan'nain.

Ilen stopped sharpening his charcoal stick for a moment, the he smiled and chuckled. "I have never made a vallaslin tattoo that venerated two of the Creators. But I think I can do it easily enough." He walked closer and motioned for her to sit on the pile of firewood that served as fuel for the bonfire. "Hold out your arm." He instructed, and as Endrin did, Ilen held his small knife over her arm. "I'm sorry Endrin, but this will hurt. Do not make a sound, or you will fail this test and will have wait for another year before you can truly be called an adult."

Endrin nodded with grim determination. "I understand." She said quietly. "I am ready."

"Very well." Ilen said and drew the blade across the inside of her arm, Endrin winced but did not make a sound. The blood fell from her arm and into a bowl that Ilen had placed beside her. "Do not move." He instructed, and while he waited for enough blood to fall into the bowl, he began to trace the outline of stylized halla antlers up her face with his charcoal stick. Once that was done, he drew an arrow, the fletching on her chin, and finishing with the arrowhead just above her eyebrows. After the tattoo design had been completed, Ilen stood up to inspect his work one final time.

Taking the bowl now filled with an inch of blood, Ilen began adding pigments and other ingredients, finally he stirred the concoction with a small wooden spoon, then looked back to Marethari and nodded. "She's ready." He said, then laid out a wrapped bundle, unrolling it to reveal a series of razors, blades, and other instruments needed to make the tattoo. Before he walked away however, he looked back at Endrin and gave one final piece of advice. "Remember Endrin, do not make a sound."

Marethari approached and selected a thin blade with a needlelike point, but before the blade touched Endrin, Endrin said. "Wait…" And Marethari stopped, looking down at Endrin with a confused expression. "I want Ashalle to be the one who marks my face."

A murmur of disbelief moved through the clan. No one had completed the vallaslin except for the Keeper, and the surprised eyes of the clan moved slowly from Endrin to Ashalle, who looked just as shocked as everyone else. Marethari finally held up the blade, offering it to Ashalle, and Ashalle hesitantly moved forward and took the blade. Endrin smiled as Ashalle started to follow the charcoal lines, cutting through the outer layers of skin. Endrin never stopped smiling throughout the process. The pain didn't even bother her, all the pain signified was her transformation into an adult.

Dawn was just starting to break over the Brecilian Forest. Most of the clan had finally went to bed after the night of celebration. Endrin still sat near the smoldering remains of the bonfire. The fire was kept burning at all times, but during the day when the light was not needed the fire was allowed to die down. Ashalle sat next to Endrin, Endrin's head resting on her shoulder. It was hard for Ashalle to tell whether she was awake or asleep.

"Endrin?" She said quietly.

"Huh?" Endrin grunted. "Yes Ashalle?"

"I just wanted to know if you were still awake."

"Barely."

"You should go to bed, my daughter. You know as well as I do that the hunters will leave this evening… and you will finally accompany them."

Endrin stood up and stretched comfortably before saying. "I know… I'm going soon, I just want…" Surprise suddenly showed on her face as she said, "Ashalle… you just called me 'daughter'."

Ashalle's own eyes widened at the realization. "Yes I did." She answered. "I'm sorry Endrin, it's just that… I… I wish that…"

"Don't be sorry Ashalle." Endrin said, coming back to her. "I… I don't know anything about my parents, the only thing I really know about them is their names and that my father was the Keeper before Marethari." She knelt down and placed a hand over Ashalle's. "You're the mother that I know." Endrin smiled up at her surrogate parent, and she saw Ashalle return the loving smile. Endrin stood up and walked a few steps away before saying, "Mother… there's something I want to tell you, something that happened during my Rite."

Ashalle nodded for her to continue.

Endrin told her about the shemlen named Maric, and she left out nothing. She told Ashalle about how he'd almost killed Rayd, how he seemed to be able to read her, and finally about how she'd shot him then immediately worked to heal him. Ashalle never interrupted her, she only nodded for Endrin to continue whenever she stopped.

"What did I do?" Endrin said after she finished. "I shot him… and he never did anything to me. And why do I feel bad about that? He's just a shemlen. I… I don't understand. What does it mean?"

Ashalle answered, "It means, Endrin, that you have a good heart, and a gentle soul."

"But is that a good thing?"

"I think so." She nodded. "You're not like most Elvhen, who would have killed him on first sight without a second thought. I think that we Dalish have had that attitude for too long, and it has not benefitted us at all. We need elves like you Endrin. If we are to have a future, it will be because of you." She looked at the look of shock on Endrin's face, and she chuckled. "And because of elves like you."

"Do you…" Endrin gave an embarrassed smile before finishing the question. "Do you really think that?"

"I do." Ashalle nodded. "The Creators have a great future ahead of you, and so don't be afraid to embrace your destiny when the time comes."

Endrin smiled again, but this time it was her mischievous smile. "Endrin Mahariel…" She said distantly, "Champion of the Dalish." She laughed happily. "Doesn't that sound right to you?"

Ashalle laughed as well. "One step at a time, my daughter."