Dovahzul language and Aldmeris language used from Thuum .org and imperial-library respectfully.

~0o.o0~

She had lost track of how many times she had watched this memory.

Vindal's sneer never seemed to leave, in her opinion. He was glaring at her memory self. "Did I not say I will capture you the next time I see you?"

Valereth's memory self merely stared up at him from where she sat on a log; her hair was ruffled, the blood drying into her slightly burnt clothes. She couldn't remember the last time she felt this numb, or looked so indecent. "Then go ahead, brother, I will not stop you."

The hollowness caused both memory Vindal and the present Valereth to pause, but for completely different reasons. Concern flickered across Vindal's face, and he kneeled in front of her. "You were never one to back down from a fight. Is this blood yours?"

"No, it's…" Memory Valereth's voice broke. "They killed him, Vindal. They killed Kardrion! I found him laying with all these other bodies. Women, men, children… I got so angry and… And…" At this, tears started to fall.

Vindal froze, and after a moment his eyes softened. Straightening, he sat next to her, wrapping his arms around her shaking body. One of his hands caressed her hair. It had been decades since he had been so affectionate towards her, and her memory self stiffened in surprise before relaxing. "They deserved it, sister. Where is Kardrion?"

"West, five minutes from here," she answered quietly. "He deserves a proper funeral, but they won't give him one, will they?"

"But we will." He let her go, standing up and holding a hand out. "Come, we must bury him. There should be a lake nearby."

"He always loved spending his days near the lake," she whispered, holding her brother's hand. The memory faded, only to play again.

"You're torturing yourself," a familiar voice commented.

Valereth turned to Solas, shrugging. "So? Maybe my brother was right… Maybe I should have stayed with the Aldmeri Dominion. If I hadn't seen what they were truly doing, if I had just stayed ignorant, I would still have my brothers. But what did I do? I saw the ones I served torture our own people, and I fought back. I freed the slaves, and took them on a boat to Hammerfell, and later to High Rock. That was the last time I saw them, before going to Skyrim."

The scene shifted, showing her past self, no more than a hundred, practicing her magic with Kardrion and Vindal. The present Valereth smiled. "All three of us were attracted to different branches of magic. Vindal loved to trick people, and favoured Illusion and Alteration magic; Clairvoyance was the first spell he ever learned."

"Clairvoyance?"

"It shows the path to the current goal. Kardrion hated Illusion magic, especially when we were little and played hide and seek. He preferred Restoration and Enchanting, healing us and making sure our weapons and armour were magically enhanced."

"And you?"

Valereth grinned. "I practice all branches of magic, but Conjuration and Destruction are my favourite. Though, my most powerful conjurations will sure earn my head on the executioners block. The people of this world are quick to judge, hm? A shame. My Thralls and Dremora are my most powerful summoned spirits."

"And these spirits?" Solas asked, eyes narrowing. "Are they forced? Or simply demons?"

"Forced?" Valereth laughed, the scene around them changing to the wilds of Riften. A dragon roared in the distance. "Oh no, they are not forced. And depending on how you look at it, they might be demons. The Dremora most definitely, but they will not hurt me or my friends; Sanguine ensured this."

"What does Sanguine rule?"

"Debauchery, and the darker parts of man; lust, sin, sloth, gluttony and greed. Also the patron deity of sinners, and loves playing pranks. Bastard disguised himself as a mortal man called Sam, who tricked me into a drinking game. I ended up stealing someone's goat and selling it to a giant, and almost married a Hagraven. I stopped drinking for a whole month."

Solas' mouth quirked up in amusement, but otherwise stayed neutral. "What is a Hagraven?"

Instead of answering him, Valereth changed the scenery around them to Witchmist Grove. The Hagraven, Moira, walked down the steps.

"Darling!" Moira hissed, voice hoarse and made both past and present Valereth cringe. Solas merely raised an eyebrow. "I've been waiting for you to return, to consummate our love!"

"Umm…" Past Valereth said, wincing, "Actually, I was hoping to get the ring back."

"What? You want it for that hussy Esmerelda, with the dark feathers- don't you? I won't let her have you!" With that, Moira swiped at her with her claws. The memory faded back to Riften.

"That was a crappy day," Valereth muttered.

"Agreed," Solas said, obviously trying to hide his grin.

"Wipe that grin, fahliil kiir (elf child)," Valereth huffed, crossing her arms.

"Dare I ask what you just called me?"

"Elf child," she answered, grinning at his scowl. Valereth walked around him, tilting her head. "Young, yet I sense an ancientness. You are quite the mystery. Your magic is different to the others. Your height and the way you act would make anyone mistake you for an Altmer, though you are too pale. A Snow Elf, possibly, but those clothes of yours make you no Esh (high/noble/royal), and there is only one Snow Elf I know of. Knight-Paladin Gelebor, as far as he and I are concerned, is the very last Snow Elf. And your magic… Ald. Ancient."

Valereth stopped in front of him, noticing he was just slightly taller than her. His expression revealed nothing, and uneasiness gnawed at her. Both her wolf and dragon grew quiet; her wolf more in a type of submission, while her dragon quietly contemplated. She couldn't help but mutter in dovahzul, "Aan kruziik fahliil… Hi los rinik. Aan morah daar zu'u fen kren (An ancient elf… You are particular. A contemplation that I will break)."

Solas merely raised an eyebrow, silently asking for an explanation.

Valereth didn't provide one, and even if she wanted to, the scenery around them started to distort. Someone was trying to wake her up. She smirked at the now irritated elf. "See you on the other side, fahliil kiir."

~0o.o0~

Valereth groaned at the hand shaking her, swatting it away. "Rude."

"Like you're any better," came Nazir's amused voice. "Cassandra and the others want to speak to you."

Valereth sat up, rubbing her pounding head. "Argh, you got any potions?" Nazir handed her one, and she skulled it. The headache started to fade, as did the blurriness. "Thanks. What do they want?"

"Not sure. You go ahead, I'll pack all this up."

Now sure she wouldn't trip, she stood up and slung her bow across her back. "You're the best, you know that?"

"And don't you forget it, sister."

Valereth rolled her eyes, walking towards Haven as she fixed her hair and made sure her armour was clean. No wonder I'm sore! She nodded in greeting to everyone, and soon entered the Chantry where Cassandra waited. Cassandra walked next to her, asking, "Does it trouble you?"

It took a moment to register what she meant. "It's stopped spreading, and it doesn't hurt."

"We take our victories where we can. What's important is that your mark is now stable, as is the Breach. You've given us time, and Solas believes that a second attempt might succeed – provided the mark has more power. The same level of power used to open the Breach in the first place. That is not easy to come by."

Valereth couldn't stop the smirk, thinking of the Daedric Princes and their exploits. "What harm could there be in powering up something we barely understand? My ancestors will roll in their graves."

"Hold onto that sense of humour."

Upon entering the War Room where Cullen, Josephine, and Leliana waited, Valereth said to them, "Cassandra tells me you have a plan."

Cassandra spoke. "I mentioned that your mark needs more power to close the Breach for good."

"Which means we must approach the rebel mages for help," Leliana added.

Cullen didn't look too pleased. "And I still disagree. The Templars could serve just as well."

Cassandra sent him a look. "We need power, Commander. Enough magic poured into that mark–"

"Might destroy us all," Cullen interrupted. "Templars could suppress the breach, weaken it so–"

Leliana shook her head. "Pure speculation."

"I was a Templar. I know what they're capable of." Valereth noticed the slight pain in Cullen's voice, and she sympathised with it.

Josephine, finally, spoke up. "Unfortunately, neither group will even speak to us yet. The Chantry has denounced the Inquisition – and you, specifically."

Valereth snorted. "I'm not all that surprised. Though, it didn't take long."

"Shouldn't they be busy arguing over who's going to become Divine?" Cullen asked.

Josephine ignored him, instead looking to Valereth. "Some are calling you – an elf not of this world – the 'Herald of Andastre'. That frightens the Chantry. The remaining Clerics have declared it blasphemy, and we heretics for harbouring you."

Cassandra scowled. "Chancellor Roderick's doing, no doubt."

Josephine nodded. "It limits our options. Approaching the mages or templars for help is currently out of the question."

"New to this world," Valereth said. "Just how am I the 'Herald of Andraste', and what is it?"

Cassandra answered her. "People saw what you did at the temple, how you stopped the Breach from growing. They have also heard about the woman seen in the rift when we first found you. They believe that was Andraste, a prophet whose teachings served as the foundation of the Chantry."

Leliana spoke. "Even if we tried to stop that view from spreading–"

"Which we have not," Cassandra interrupted.

Leliana sighed. "The point is, everyone is talking about you."

"It's quite the title, isn't it?" Cullen asked, looking to Valereth. "How do you feel about that?"

Just another day being the Dragonborn… "Annoying as hell, because now I have to remember another title."

"People are desperate for a sign of hope," Leliana stated. "For some, you're that sign."

Josephine, to no surprise, came with the bad news. "And to others, a symbol of everything that's gone wrong."

Valereth sighed, mulling over the information. "Will the Chantry attack us?"

Cullen snorted. "With what? They have only words at their disposal."

"And yet, they may bury us with them," Leliana countered. "There is something you can do. A Chantry Cleric by the name Mother Giselle has asked to speak to you. She is not far, and knows those involved far better than I. Her assistance could be invaluable."

Leliana, she's part of the Chantry… Another sigh. "Why would someone from the Chantry help a declared heretic?"

"I understand she is a reasonable sort," Leliana answered smoothly. "Perhaps she doesn't agree with her sisters? You'll find Mother Giselle tending to the wounded in the Hinterlands near Redcliffe."

Cullen interrupted. "Look for other opportunities to expand the Inquisition's influence while you're there."

Josephine nodded, tapping her quill. "We need agents to extend our reach beyond this valley, and you're better suited than anyone to recruit them."

"In the meantime, let's think of other options." Cassandra intervened. "I won't leave this all to the Herald."

"Let's start off with Giselle first," Valereth stated. "Options?" It felt good to be back in a commanding position- she had missed being Legate. Well, not really Legate, but close enough for now.

"If Giselle dies, any hope of Chantry support dies with her," Leliana said. "My scouts will slip past the fighting, find her, and protect her with their lives."

Valereth nodded. "Sounds good. Any connections or forces we can use?" Cullen and Josephine shook their heads. "Then myself, Cassandra, Solas, Varric, Garmr, Marcurio and Nazir will go. Serana has been feeling homesick, so staying here with Cicero will make it easier. They can both help around Haven, if needed. Serana is good with smithing and Cicero is a Jester. I might stay a few extra days to help heal the sick and wounded. Will your Scouts be ready to go by first light tomorrow?"

Leliana nodded. "They will."

"Good. Anything else?"

"We have a few operations that require your input…"

~0o.o0~

It was near the middle of the day by the time she left, and Valereth was relieved. Slowly she made her way down to her cabin, only to see Varric who waved at her. Grinning, Valereth walked over and sat down next to him.

"So, now that Cassandra's out of earshot, are you holding up all right?" Varric asked, looking generally concerned. "I mean, you go from being the most wanted criminal in Thedas to joining the armies of the faithful. Most people would have spread that out over more than one day."

Valereth paused, thinking over her answer carefully. "This isn't the first time. Back in Skyrim, I ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time and had my head ready to go onto the executioner's block. I was to be executed for supposedly aiding the Stormcloaks, and was to die with them." At that, her jaw clenched, but soon loosened. "The next thing I know, a dragon landed on the tower next to us, Shouting in dovahzul. I took my chances and escaped with Hadvar, an Imperial soldier. Within a few days I found out I was the Dragonborn, destined to defeat the World-Eater Alduin. And now, I am to be a criminal and rise to the top once again."

She paused, waiting until Varric was finished writing. Him writing it all down didn't surprise her. Running a hand through her hair, she muttered, "I don't even want to think about how many lives were lost on that mountain top."

"A lot of good men and women didn't make it out there," Varric said. "For days now, we've been staring at the Breach, watching demons and Maker-knows-what fall out of it. 'Bad for morale' would be an understatement. I still can't believe anyone was in there and lived."

"If it was that bad, why did you stay? Cassandra said you were free to go."

Varric smiled. "I like to think I'm as selfish and irresponsible as the next guy, but this… Thousands of people died on that mountain. I was almost one of them. And now there's a hole in the sky. Even I can't walk away and just leave that to sort itself out."

"The Breach needs to be sealed," Valereth replied. "The sooner, the better."

"If it can be sealed. You might want to consider running at the first opportunity. I've written enough tragedies to recognize where this is going. Heroes are everywhere. I've seen that. But the hole in the sky? That's beyond heroes. We're going to need a miracle."

Valereth smiled. "I defeated a god's first born, the one who was destined to destroy the whole world. This hole in the sky is nothing compared to that bastard dragon, and we will fix it."

"That Alduin guy you mentioned? He's a dragon?" Varric asked, all but buzzing with excitement.

She laughed. "A story for tomorrow, dwemer. I trust you will accompany me to the Hinterlands?"

"Of course; I wouldn't want to miss out on a good tale."

"Good." With that, Valereth stood up. "I need to go and ask Solas if he will come. Oh! I almost forgot. Why didn't you believe what they said?"

Varric grinned. "Serana is a convincing woman."

Valereth grinned back at him. "Very true. I shall see you tomorrow at first light. Do you know where Solas lives?"

"Just over there," Varric answered, pointing.

Nodding in thanks, Valereth turned on her heel and made her way up. It didn't take long to find the elf. "Fahliil kiir! Are you up for an adventure at first light tomorrow to the Hinterlands? We'll be meeting with Mother Giselle."

"Sounds like a good plan," Solas replied. "Who else is coming?"

"Cassandra, Varric, Marcurio, Garmr and Nazir. Serana has been feeling homesick, so she'll be staying behind with Cicero." Which is a complete lie; Serana hadn't fed recently, and even though her hunger will be sated soon, she hated the sun. Valereth knew the feeling, and traveling all bundled up was an inconvenience. "Sorry about leaving our conversation unfinished, Nazir was waking me up."

"It is no problem, though I am curious as to what you said."

Valereth merely smirked. "That, Fahliil kiir, is for me to know and not you. Anyway, I'll be heading out to study this magic on my hand."

"May I join you? Studying the anchor and knowing its abilities could give us the advantage."

Valereth smiled, though warning bells went off in her head. There was an underlying motive. "Some company would be nice." And give me the chance to see who you truly are. She had her suspicions about the magically ancient elf, but decided to wait till she gained more solid proof.