X. Prologue

My fall will be for you
My love will be in you
If you be the one to cut me
I will bleed forever

"Ghost love score" – Nightwish

"I don't understand. What did I do to deserve this?"

"Da'len, you did nothing wrong. This is not a punishment, rather it is the opposite."

"I beg to differ, Keeper. You are sending me away from our clan, alone, to attend to some kind of religious service, with a bunch of unknown shemlens… How could this not be a punishment?"

Deshanna takes a deep breath, while her gaze gets lost in the cloudy sky above their camp. "These are dark times, you saw it by yourself. There is a growing corruption that is spreading inside and outside the wilderness."

"Are you talking about those corpses we found in that cave? They were clearly mages who probably starved to death. I pity them, though things like that happen because shems are rude people, not capable of dealing with magic. Why should this bother us?"

In another situation, the old mage would have giggled at her apprentice's cynical lines – she's just like her mother. Yet, they cannot afford to laugh now. "There is a war going on, Da'len. Ignoring it, and how it will impact the future of us all, would be as arrogant and irresponsible as the way the shemlens behave. We are better than that, aren't we?"

The dark haired elf doesn't reply, her piercing emerald eyes staring at her gravely. The Keeper knows very well what's going on inside her rational mind – that disappointed frown always has been the same ever since she was a child. A lonely and shy child, but with such strength and determination that Deshanna hardly found in any other member of her clan.

"You are my First. There is no other I trust more, and you know that. This is why I need you to go there. You'll be my eyes and my ears during the Conclave." She makes a step towards the other woman, raising her hand to caress her freckled cheek.

In the story of their clan, magic always played an important role, still it was decades since the last mage were born – the Keeper herself. So, when Gwen Lavellan came to life, the event was read as a sign: that baby was sent to this world designed for a great purpose.

Deshanna is aware that growing up with such weigh over her shoulders has not been easy for the girl, yet her First showed to be proud of it, doing her best to not let the expectations of the clan down. As soon as they started to train together, she proved to be one of the most powerful and talented enchantresses the Dalish ever had, her iron will and strong determination never leaving her.

"I finally understood what is the Creators' design for you, Da'len," the Keeper continues. "You were born to accomplish a great mission, something that won't happen if you stay here. I know that, and you know that."

Gwen opens her mouth to reply, but no word comes out of it. The look of disappointment on her face slowly turns into concern. Yes, she's aware that that is the truth, yet this doesn't make it less frightening.

"You have to go to the Conclave because this is what is written in your fate." Deshanna takes her face with both her hands, her fingers tracing lightly the dark tattoos under her eyes. "Do you remember the meaning of the vallaslin you wear?"

"It represents Mythal, the Protector and the All-Mother."

"Exactly." She nods. "She is the goddess of love, the patron of motherhood and justice. You grew up following those virtues, and you wore your markings with pride. The moment has come for you to employ your gifts for the greater good. You're going to do important things and you will do us all proud."

The young mage sighs. "I– I need some time to ponder about that, Keeper."

"I know, Da'len. Take the time you need. I know you will do the right thing. You always do, my dear Gwen."

NOTES: And so it begins, at last!

This fanfic is about my OTP Gwen x Blackwall (Blackwen!), and it will tell all their story, from the beginning of the game till Trespasser, and probably even further. My project might be ambitious, given that I never wrote such long fanfic, but this story and my OTP really mean a lot to me, so I'll do my best to go on with it until the end.

I've been working on this fic from what seems ages, and I can barely believe I'm finally managing to post it. I hope you'll like it! Please, comment and review, I'd really appreciate to know your opinions.

The biggest thanks go to my super awesome friends Saraportela and Kaidansbioticapprentice from Tumblr. They always always always supported me and my writings (since the beginning of my Shenko works!), listening and commenting all my ideas, and helping me step by step while writing this fic. Sweeties, I couldn't do it without you, you are the best of the best and I love you to bits!

A special thanks goes also to the lovely Galtori from Tumblr, who is patiently helping me with my English, correcting all my grammar mistakes. Thank you my friend!