This is my very first fanfic. I'm sure that I will make tons of mistakes, and as of right now I have no beta reader. I hope that it will at least be enjoyable to read. Delia is out of my own imagination, Bioware owns everything Dragon Age, and my story will be similar to the game story, but will vary.

Chapter 1: Nothing Lasts Forever

Packing for a journey was never pleasant for Delia, and this would most certainly be one of the least pleasant journeys of her life. She was to sail to Ferelden the following day, leaving the relative safety of the school she attended with her brother and return to life under the thumb of her brutal father. Antiva City had been good to her and Dairren. Delia loved to study languages and was fluent in not only her native Ferelden, but Antivan, Orlesian and Tevinter. However, Comparative Religion was always her favorite subject. Understanding the common basis of cultures fascinated her, and she truly enjoyed learning whatever she could about the people she met as well as their motivations for their actions.

Now she was forced to return to her father's manor. Bann Loren was not a person who valued intelligence. The only reason why Delia and Dairren had been permitted to study abroad was because his wife's father had forced the issue. Grandfather was a close friend of King Maric, and that friendship brought with it power and influence. Now Grandfather was dead, and Bann Loren now had control of the family's wealth so he would not permit it to be "wasted" on mere academic pursuits.

Bann Loren was known for his miserable demeanor. A tall man with dark, short cropped hair and brown eyes that were as dark as the bottom of a mud puddle, he never smiled but had a permanent sneer. He was well known for his shifting loyalties. His life was filled with schemes to better himself, even if it came at the expense of his own family. His temperament was something to fear as well, as he could fly into a rage without a cause. Delia and Dairren knew all too well how the smallest interpreted misdeed could earn their father's wrath. The siblings learned to fear him, and their fear brought hatred for their own father. Their mother always tried to protect them to the best of her ability. Unfortunately, now that her own father was no longer there as a buffer, Mother no longer had the option to keep them safely away from the abuser.

The two siblings would board a ship to Amaranthine in the morning. From there, Mother would meet them with a coach and they would visit Highever, staying at the castle of the Couslands. Terynna Eleanor Cousland was Mother's best friend since childhood, and visits with her were always more than pleasant. Once they arrived, Dairren was to start in his new position of Second to Teryn Bryce Cousland, which was more of a squire job than anything else. He would be fighting alongside the Teryn against darkspawn that had been spotted near the Korcari Wilds. At least he would be spared from returning to their father's house, even if it meant simply tending to the Teryn's horses and armor.

Delia would be staying in Highever with her mother for a week before returning to West Hill. She knew that Mother was trying to yet again create a marriage match for her with Aeden Cousland, the younger son of Bryce and Eleanor. Delia actually looked forward to seeing Aeden again. He was handsome and strong, and Delia knew that a marriage would enable her to leave her father's house and forever be free of him. Marriage with Aeden might not be her preferred life, but there were far worse alternatives.

As Delia packed the last book into her crate, there was a knock on her door. She responded with an absentminded, "Enter", and heard the door open.

"So, do I at least earn a 'Hello, dear brother', or should I return to my room to cry myself to sleep?"

Delia looked toward the door to see her brother leaning against the frame with his hands over his heart and a look of feigned grief on his face. "I am sorry, Dairren. I am so lost in my own thoughts that I just assumed that you were one of the servants sent to bring these crates down to the cart."

"Alright, no harm done then. Do you need any help?" Dairren walked toward his sister and looked over her shoulder.

"No, but thank you. Are you already finished?"

"Yes, and I was sent by Justine to collect you and meet her and Salvatore in the dining hall. They want to personally have a goodbye meal with us."

"Wow, it is quite an honor to have the two heads of the school wishing us well."

"I don't think they are any happier than we are with our predicament. The two of them have always watched out for us like the doting aunt and uncle. It certainly doesn't hurt that we have been their two finest students. Who will translate the ancient scrolls for them now when they are too busy with politics?"

That earned a chuckle from Delia. Antivans were known for their complicated politics. No one seemed immune from the tangled web, and Justine and Salvatore were seemingly always called away by one noble or another trying to impress others with their very educated presence. Since the school was also responsible for investigating all historical finds and a large Tevinter ruin had been recently found, the two were always overworked. Delia and Dairren were a tremendous help taking over the translations from their mentors, helping to make the investigations run faster and smoother.

Delia closed the lid of the crate and sighed. "Well, that is done now. Shall we go?"

Dairren offered his left arm to his sister, and she took it with a smile on her face. She was proud of her brother. He was very intelligent and kind, and although he wasn't a great warrior he could hold a blade well enough. Delia knew many of the young ladies in the school gave him longing glances as they twitted about the handsome and soft spoken young nobleman.

Arriving in the dining hall, the siblings made their way to the head table and took seats next to their mentors. Dinner was pleasant, with many of the students dropping over to say their goodbyes to Delia and Dairren. After the meal, a celebratory glass of Antivan cognac was poured for each student in the hall. Salvatore stood and raised his glass.

"My friends, I am saddened that we must say goodbye to our dear Dairren and Delia. We wish you smooth sailing and only the best that life can offer to both of you. Please know that you will always have a home away from home here. Our doors are always open to you both. Salut!"

The hall echoed with the students' reply of "Salut". Delia wiped a tear from her eye. She really didn't want to leave this wonderful place. This was truly her home. She was safe here and loved her studies.

Justine placed her hand on Delia's. "My dear, I could not allow you to leave here without something special to remember me by. Please stop in my study on your way back to your room so that I can give you my gift in private."

Delia nodded to her mentor. The next half hour was spent with more goodbyes from friends while savoring every drop of the cognac. She didn't even notice when Justine left the table. Giving her brother a kiss on the cheek, she wished him a good night's sleep and left for Justine's study.

Delia knocked on the door, and hearing a soft response from inside the room she opened the door.

"Ah, Delia you are here. I wanted to be sure to give this to you. It will serve you well in your life's journey."

Delia was handed a beautifully wrapped small square box. She carefully opened the package and looked inside to find an incredibly beautiful emerald pendant surrounded by platinum. The square cut stone glittered in the firelight and seemed to be the color of a pine forest.

"This pendant is special, mi cara. It is especially enchanted to assist you with your talent and allow you to see the hearts of others even more clearly than you already do. Remember to use this talent wisely and do not allow many others to know of it. You are a very rare person to have it, and there will be many who would use you for their own benefit. Protect your talent and it will protect you."

"Justine, I don't know what I would have done without you in my life. You have been more than my mentor, and I would never trust my gift if you hadn't shown me how. I can't thank you enough for this pendant. I will wear it and treasure it always."

"Ah, cara, I only wish that I could protect you longer. I know what you have to look forward to all too well." Justine absentmindedly clenched her hand into a fist at her unspoken memories. "Use your gift to surround yourself with others who will watch over you, and know that I will be here should you ever need me. Be well, my dear friend."

Delia kissed her mentor on the cheek, both women crying softly, and left for her room. It was almost too much to bear, leaving the warmth and safety of this building and traveling to an unknown fate. Sleep would be difficult to achieve this night.