Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Age Origins, Awakening, Dragon Age II or any of the DLC. All that stuff belongs to EA, BioWare, and their kickass writers.

Chapter 1: A Gathering of Clans

In the northern edges of the Brecillian Forest, herds of halla grazed in the shadows of the ancient trees, aravels were arranged in a circular fashion, the air was filled with the sounds of the common tongue and Dalish elven, and bonfires roared throughout the encampment. The Dalish clans in Ferelden had gathered for what would perhaps be the most important meeting since before the fall of the Dales, when it was decided they would live as homeless wanderers rather than servants to humans.

It took many months for word to spread to all the clans in Ferelden, due to their isolation from one another and the humans, but they eventually heard the news and they began to head to the ancient forest. The gathering was not an Arlathvhen, but it was an important meeting nonetheless. They were surprised, and in awe that one of their own was a Grey Warden and had slain the archdemon, but they were shocked that a human king had freely given land to them, the Warden's people, as a boon for their people's services during the Blight.

It was what many Dalish had longed for and dreamed about for centuries since the fall of their second homeland, but the Dalish's history with humans was anything but pleasant and did not know how to proceed in regards to the gift given to them by the human king. As a result it was decided that the keepers of Ferelden would gather and discuss what was to be done before making any major decisions. At the largest bonfire of the gathering, the keepers and elders of the clans debated whether or not to accept the offer.

One keeper, with silvery hair and withered hands stood before the gathering. He was the oldest of all the clan leaders present, and thus was called upon to be the mediator of the council. The old elf was about to start when he looked around at the people present, and noticed that three were missing.

"Is this truly all of us?" he asked aloud, "Where are Marethari and Ilshae? And while we're on the subject, where is Zathrian?"

"Marethari's clan has moved to the northern lands beyond the sea," said a female keeper, "And we have only just heard that Ilshae has passed to the Beyond, and her clan is still in mourning."

"And Zathrian?"

"I have assumed his role, for he too has passed on," declared another woman, with a very light Dalish accent.

They all turned to the young woman, a new face among the keepers, who had spoken. They all recognized her sandy blond hair arranged in twin buns. Although she was young and her expression was gentle, her eyes bore the same potency of wisdom and experience of her peers. She was Lanaya, Zathrian's first, now keeper of his clan.

"How did he pass?"

"He… sacrificed himself to save our clan," said Lanaya sadly.

"I see, then we shall mourn their passing as soon as we are able," the elder keeper said before addressing the rest of the keepers, "It saddens me that we will have this discussion without our brother and sisters, but we must decide now the fate of our people, for the next step we take will have great repercussions for all Dalish," said Bran and the keepers present all began to nod, "As I'm sure you are all aware of by now, one of our sons, the 'Hero of Ferelden' as the humans call him, halted the Blight and slew the Archdemon. As thanks the human king set aside land in the south of this land of Ferelden for all of us to settle on. We have been invited by him to discuss the details of this offer in his palace, but first we as a people must decide if we are to accept."

There were many murmurings among the keepers, elders, and senior hunters of their respective clans.

"We should accept," said one standing up, "From what we have heard from our brothers and sisters who fought to end the Blight, the human king Alistair is a reasonable man. This is what we Dalish have longed for; a land to call our own for the restoration of the Elvhenan."

"You cannot be serious," exclaimed another.

The council looked to the man who had spoken out. He bore a gnarled staff, robes resembling one those of the ancient Clayne tribes, a scar across his left eye, and had only one arm.

"Explain Keeper Cadfael," said the oldest keeper.

"Is that a serious statement Bran? For all we know, this is a trap by the shems!" he stood up and displayed his arm, "I lost my arm and nearly all my best hunters when the shems wanted to 'talk peace.' Now you would have us walk right into their city where they could kill us all in a single instant? You may as well tell us to walk into the jaws of Fen'harel."

Cadfael's argument was not unfounded. In the past, many Dalish, whether keepers or hunters had fallen prey to human treachery. Some of the keepers began to rethink their initial hopes and wondered if this was indeed a trap.

"Perhaps the humans have started to change," argued another keeper suddenly, "Our clan fought with Keeper Lanaya's against the Blight, and they did not harass us in anyway during that war."

"Only because they needed us; once a shem deems anything or anyone useless they show little regard. Even their precious Grey Wardens were deemed useless until recently," argued another keeper in support of Cadfael's argument.

Back and forth the keepers argued. Some keepers began to cite their experiences with human treachery, while other clans argued that the humans would leave them alone if they negotiated that part in the arrangement. This caused some of the clans present to switch positions, or remain quiet as they weighed who had the stronger argument. Only the clans who fought for the wardens stood by the choice of accepting, but now the opinions of the keepers were divided into three parties: one that favored acceptance, another that favored rejection, and the last group were still undecided. Seeing the rising tensions in the council, Lanaya, who advocated acceptance, stood before the keepers.

"My brothers and sisters if I may interject."

The arguing continued.

"If I may speak."

No one heard her until…

"Enough!" bellowed Bran as he slammed the butt of staff down onto a stone on the ground, causing the keepers to face him, "We are not durgen'len; there will be order in this council. Lanaya has yet to voice her opinion, and we will give her the courtesy of speaking."

"Ma serranas Bran," said Lanaya before she waited for the keepers to settle down before speaking, "I know that the history between our people and the humans is at best strained, but it does not have to be so forever. As keeper Rhys stated, this is an opportunity for us, to restore the Elvhenan. However, that is not the only one present to us. Should we accept this land, we will be neighbors of the human lands. This could also be a chance to end the hatred between our peoples and walk together in peace to the future."

"You mean… as in an alliance?" asked another keeper.

"Perhaps…" she replied and then thought about it a bit more, "If it came down to it, why not?"

The clan leaders looked at her as if she grew a second head, and told them she was the dread wolf himself, even the ones who wanted to settle on the land. The most many keepers wanted from this land was peaceful isolation, just like when they ruled the Dales. What Lanaya was suggesting though was far more radical… yet very familiar.

"…Afon," one of the hunters muttered, causing Cadfael to stand up angrily.

"Peace and friendship? With the shemlen?" scoffed Cadfael bitterly, "Have you even been listening to the debate at all? This is not about making peace with humans, it's about accepting the lands in the south or not, which is a useless venture in my opinion."

"Peace and friendship will be a necessary component if we are to hold onto this land forever, Cadfael."

"You are a da'len if you think that it can be done!"

"Lanaya is not a da'len," scolded Bran with a disappointed look on his face, "She is a keeper, and therefore has the right to voice her opinions to this council. And even though, I also find the prospect… alien, she brings up a valid point. Should we accept this land, peace will be necessary in maintaining it as ours."

"I know peace would be necessary," he said as respectfully as he could, "But the issue is the shems! They call us all manner of insults, and because of their chantry, they see us as animals, savages, and heathens."

"Then we prove to them that we are not what they believe we are!" cried out Lanaya, "We disprove all their chantry's claims."

Cadfael laughed at Lanaya's idealistic reasoning.

"You may be a keeper but, you still have much to learn about this world and how it works. No matter what you do, no matter what any of us do, the shems will always hate us. Keeper Afon's death was proof of this!"

Some of the other keepers lowered their heads at the mention of the name of Marethari's predecessor: the first, and only, keeper to ever attempt to reconcile the differences between humans and elves. It was an endeavor that ended badly for him and his love.

"They respect us now because their hero is one of our own," Cadfael continued, "…but what about when he's gone? Will the shems still honor their agreement like they honored their prophetess' promise?"

Distressed whispers sounded out among the clan leaders at the mention of the human's ultimate betrayal. Memories and tales of the Second Exalted March remained strong among the Dalish. Everything that had transpired during that war- the fall of Halamshiral, the further loss of their culture, and the division of the elven people were crimes that were etched deep within their minds. Lanaya however, remembered what such deep-seated hatred could do to a great people, to a great man.

Zathrian, the man who had saved her and given her renewed purpose, almost doomed his own clan because of his blind hatred. She would not let the Dalish doom themselves out of that same hatred and fear.

"So your solution would be to have us cower in fear forever?" she suddenly shot back.

All talking stopped. All eyes were on her. She took a deep breath, and gathered her courage, knowing that she would be walking a dangerous line with her next words.

"Vir Assan teaches us to strive to our goal unafraid and unrelenting. Long has it been the dream of our people to find a land to call our own and live in freedom; to rebuild the Elvhenan and take it to greater heights. But how far will the arrow fly when the bow refuses to bend? We are being offered the chance to fulfill what we have vowed to do as Dalish, yet we hesitate! Have the humans defeated us with our fear of their treachery? Have we finally submitted?"

Silence hung in the air. Everyone including Cadfael was stunned by her words. Lanaya saw that this was her chance to drive this argument home.

"It is as Cadfael said," she began, "The humans respect us now because their hero is one of our own. But do we truly want that respect to be only temporary, when we can make it everlasting? We can live in peace with humans without fear; I know this because our brother Arlath, a proud Dalish warrior and their- no, our hero, showed me it is possible. On his journey to stop the Blight, he fought alongside humans, even befriended them, and together they helped saved my clan from certain doom and later slew the archdemon with them. It is proof that there can be a future between our peoples. Emma falonen, the door is open, and we need only to walk through it."

All was quiet save for the crackling of the fire. Keeper Bran stood surprised that for the second time, one so young would convince even him that just maybe, it was possible.

"…Does anyone else wish to add anything?" he asked the council.

No one replied.

"Then we shall adjourn for today, and meditate upon the arguments presented," said Bran, "We have much to think upon before we come to any decision."

The keepers all dispersed, though Cadfael stormed out in anger. When the bonfire was empty, Lanaya released a heavy breath that she had been holding in.

"You did well," said Mithra from behind.

"You think so? I've never been so scared in my life."

"Sarel couldn't even try to outdo that," joked Elora earning an indignant squawk from the clan story teller.

"Hopefully, I got through to some of them," said Lanaya as she stood up.

"Did you truly mean that keeper?" asked Varathorn, "That we actually could live in peace… and friendship with the humans?"

"The idea did not occur to me until they brought it up, but yes… I believe we can," she answered, "And if we accept this land, then we truly must."

The elders of her clan looked to each other before nodding in agreement, then to her with resolved expressions.

"Ma nuvenin keeper. If this is your decision, then we will support you," said Mithra.

The young keeper smiled brightly.

…

The next day, the keepers gathered once again. This time however they had calmer faces, and Bran took note of this.

"Now then before we begin, do we have any final statements before we voice our opinions?"

The keepers all remained quiet.

"Well then, all the clans who say we should accept the land step forward."

Lanaya and seven other keepers stepped forward.

"Eight," counted Bran, "Now then those who reject?"

Cadfael and eight others stepped forward.

"Nine."

Lanaya and those who wanted to settle on the land were crestfallen. They were certain that Lanaya's words would sway them into a majority, but it did not seem to be enough.

"Then this discussion is over," said Cadfael smugly.

"Not so fast Cadfael," cut in Bran.

"Bran?"

"I am still a keeper and I have yet to make my decision-"

"But many of us chose not to accept," he sputtered, interrupting the elder.

"You are also forgetting two other clans. Marethari's clan may return and they would have most likely accepted the land since Arlath was from her clan, therefore making the opinions a tie. Also, Ilshae's clan is not present with us and is therefore unable to put forth their opinion on the matter. I cannot in good conscious declare that this is the opinion of all the clans in Ferelden; as for my self, well… I am undecided."

Before Cadfael could complain, Bran walked before the council.

"I have lived a long time, not as long as Zathrian, but still long enough to know a thing or two about the world. Cadfael argues that the humans cannot be trusted, and there is a strong basis for this argument. Never once have I seen human rulers uphold their bargains, even with each other, and when they have they are often short-lived promises or are broken by their descendents. However, Lanaya is also correct in stating that this may be the chance we have been waiting for: an opportunity to rebuild the Elvhenan, one that will be permanent and everlasting. But we cannot do so if we cower in fear of what the humans may do to us, or if we do not make the effort to make them see us in a different light than what their Chantry paints us as."

Bran fell silent.

"We will not move from the forest, but I do believe Lanaya should be given a chance to prove her argument is valid," he turned to the young keeper, "Do you feel you are up to the task?"

"I am," she said readily.

"Hear me before you accept," he said before Lanaya nodded, "I would like to send you and your clan to the region known as Amaranthine."

"Oh, for what purpose?" she asked, now curious.

"From what I understand, our brother Arlath is now the Warden-Commander of Ferelden, and the de facto ruler of Amaranthine. The region is home to the Wending Woods where Ilshae's clan usually resides. Meet with their new keeper, and inform them of our thoughts on the matter. I am sure we would very much like to hear the opinion of our sister clan. In addition, since you believe so whole-heartedly in this venture of yours, I also want you to try and understand the shemlen. Arlath has been exposed to them long enough, and can teach. Learn what you can from him for it may help us to manage the new land and to keep it, should we accept the offer of the king."

Lanaya nodded, seeing the logic behind the elder keeper's intentions. It was a rather sound plan; cautious enough to satisfy those suspicious of the king's intentions, but it convinced her that her argument had piqued the interests of the elder keeper, whose voice carried much weight in the council. She looked to her clan, who all had anxious looks on their faces.

"For how long will I and my clan remain in Amaranthine?"

"For as long as you and your clan are able to stay. Just know that unless we have some sufficient measure of proof that we can live peacefully with the shemlen, we will most likely not accept the land," Bran then turned to the other keepers, particularly Cadfael, "Will this satisfy the council?"

They murmured to one another, before they nodded their approval of the plan. Lanaya faced Bran and bowed.

"I accept your proposal Keeper Bran," said Lanaya before looking to the other keepers, "And I will return with proof, or not return at all."

Cadfael let out a snort, as did some of the other keepers who sided with him.

"Bold words for one so young," chuckled Bran before becoming serious, "You will be unable to leave for the province for the time being. There are rumors that the darkspawn have not returned to the tunnels of the durgen'len and have gathered in those very lands. Once word reaches us that the threat has been dealt with, then you will travel. In the meantime, I suggest you prepare."

"Ma nuvenin," said Lanaya before bowing courteously and leaving the gathering.

"Lanaya," he called out before she disappeared causing her to turn around, "Please be careful. We have already lost a respected keeper to the cause you have taken up; we do not need to lose another."

Lanaya gave one last bow before disappearing from the council.

Author's Notes:

Awakening takes place six months after Origins, so I would place this chapter at around… five months after Origins.

Afon is the name I came up for Mahariel's father. It is a Welsh name meaning "river." Bran and Cadfael are also Welsh names. Bran means "raven" and Cadfael means "battle prince."

Lanaya will be one of the main protagonists of the story, if not the focus of it. Even though she was a secondary character in the game, I thought she was cool, intelligent, understanding, and well… pretty I thought there should be a story for her.

The council of keepers was inspired by The Fellowship of the Rings' council scene, hence why it is a little short. Given how the Dalish often react toward anything human-related, it would make sense that they would be a little suspicious of Alistair's intentions.

As for Bran and his authority in the council, I was under the impression that the elves as a people, both Dalish and city-born, venerate and honor their elders for their experience and wisdom. His comparison of his and Zathrian's age comes from the Dalish's belief that Zathrian was the first of their people to rediscover elvish agelessness, but it is implied by Lanaya and her clan that he was alive for centuries.

Thank you for reading and please review.