Merry Christmas!

Chapter 11

Halla

The Dailish were holding festival, though it seemed to be a sad, decorations hung half heartedly and the sad bleats of Halla called across the camp. "What is all this?" Daylen asked aside to Zevran. The elf was taking in the holly, the mistletoe, the star lights and winter flowers woven together and dried beautifully. A gathering by the camp fire as stories were told and drink shared between the old. Th stomach rumbling scents of cooking meals of meat and plant. "It's Winter's end, the Dalish Celebrate by dressing up their biggest Halla and decorating the camp. The Halla signifies leading into a good year, r they hope. It seems the Halla failed last year." He noted seeing the sad lost looks scattered about.

They were lead up to a bald Elf, his eyes and chin sharp as a dwarf's sword edge. "What is the meaning of this? Who exactly are they, Mithra?"

Mithra, the female elf that had been leading them didn't even bat an eye at the demanding, warning tone of her Keeper, "They claimed to be Wardens, I found them near the site a few of our scouts have been going missing. I thought it could be Them but it seems it was a demon plaguing that area."

"I see. Thank you Mithra, please go and warm up, Sarel is telling the young ones about Ghilan'nain, go to him if you wish." The Keeper offered.

Mithra shook her head, "Ma serannas, however I will pass I wish to continue to keep guard." She said firmly walking off with bow. It would seem disrespectful, however the Keepers face was one of pity not anger.

"My appolguise, she has been through much these past few weeks. I am Zathrian, keeper of this clan. Why have you came?"

"We have treaties stating the Dalish are bound into helping us fight the blight," Daylen explained holding out the scroll to allow the Keeper to read. The elf took the old text with careful hands, "Yes, we are, but unfortunately we are in no state to do so. We are under attack by beasts, werewolves to be exact. Every day we loose more to the curse these creatures carry."

Daylen let out a soft breath. This was not good, they had finally managed to find the Dalish who knows if they would remain in such a place for long, especially with werewolves attacking. "I thought Dane wiped out the werewolves?"

The Keeper shook his head, "He wiped out one strain of werewolves- perhaps not even that. No, Whither Fang is the one that is spreading out this curse."

"Then we will just need to deal with this Witherfang and you will help us in the blight?" Daylen said hopefully.

Zethrian gestured for the group to follow. They passed many watchful eyes, and curious children dressed in fur for the winter. Their bright eyes shone with grief and wonder. All until they reached the medical area, soft wails and moans of pain filled the air about them. Elves lay under guard curled up into themselves with tear tracks on their faces. "Blood coated their mouths and nose, long slashes covered some part of their body. "They are turning, and the only way to cure them is to bring me Witherfangs heart, if you truly wish to help us human, then you must go into the forest, follow the white wolves and slay that cursed beast, cut out it's heart and return."

Daylen glanced to Zevran, he was elfy, he would know if this was a normal thing Dalish elves had to deal with daily right? "We understand, and will set off as soon as we have rested enough, I have injured and I know the Dalish are distrusting, with good reason us humans are nuisances, but will you permit us to trade within your camp?"

"Varathore, is by the Exit. Lanaya, my first, will help you if you need any. I must get back to the wounded here, I fear we will have to kill more of the clan by tonight, they are turning quickly." The Keeper stepped into camp, his first slipping out from behind him. She was small, blond, soft and pretty in the face with a gentleness in her eyes Zathrian lacked. It was easy to miss her as she had been following a few steps away, cut close enough to listen in.

"I will show you to the craft's man, your wounded may rest within my Aravel, it's much warmer than sitting out in the snow." They passed the aravel first, the elf not mining an inch as Sten and Alistair helped Leliana inside with a Mabari. Zevran was happy to continue walking by the warden and taking in the sights.

"My Mother was Dalish," Zevran said suddenly, a musing type of tone to his voice, his eyes looking towards Lanaya's gloves. "I tried to be a Dalish once, it did not work out, then again it was in Antiva."

Lanaya laughed, "Yes they are rather… vicious from that region, but they have need, the Crows often steal our children. Were you stolen?"

"Not at all, I was not born to the Dalish, my mother left the clan." He left it at that, "You, if I may dare to say were not born to them either- do not give me that look I can see a city elf, the lack of scowling and calling me a flat ear says it all." Zevran laughed.

"Flat ear, and what are the Crows?" Daylen asked, he had been listening carefully about their only elvhen companions origins.

Zevran flashed Daylen his fangs happily, all the while ignoring the question on the Crows, "It is what the Dalish call City elves, a derogatory term to say they are no longer a true elf."

"I like your ears." Daylen hummed, his fingers stroking back one of Zevran's bangs to tuck behind his ear. Suprised Zevran laughed in nervous reaction.

"Oh I have plenty of other long parts that you would like more." Zevran purred to make himself feel more comfortable around the compliment.

Daylen snorted while Lanaya hoped to the Gods the other elves had not seen or heard the exchange.

"Here we are, I'll be back at my Aravel if you need me."

Daylen watched as the Craftsman lectured his apprentice on how to bend wood to his will. His eyes drawn to the pretty lights that the elves had hung around the trees. He was dying to see what it looked like when night fell. Hopefully that time he would not also hear the screams of death, or see the blood on the Keepers hands. That was no way to start a festival- unless you are Tavintee. "What can I help you with? I saw the First lead you here so you must be permitted trade."

"Yes, I have heard of the Dalish's fine craftsmanship, I look forward to seeing your work." Daylen tried to charm, smiling easily though it looked far too wolfish.

"You're respect is refreshing from a shemlan," Varathore smiled, "You will be going into the Forest?"

"We are," Zevran spoke instead of Daylen as he fingered a blade from the table, his hands turning the form over and letting it rest as he looked down the blade. It was of fine quality, a Dar'misu.

"Then if you bring back any Iron bark I will happily use some of it to create a weapon or amour of your choosing for you, we are running out and Zethrian has forbidden us from venturing out."

"What does it look like?" Zevran asked straightening up while Daylen sorted through the ingrediants spread out.

Before Varathore could respond the Warden answered, "It has a blue sheen to the bark, tall, usually bending branches, and rounded shaped leaves in a very dark green colour. It will be bare this type of year." Daylen droned earning an odd look from Zevran.

"How di you know this?" Zevran asked curiously.

"They have books in the circle, and I always liked learning the uses of plants." Daylen cast a small smile to Zevran, "I never thought I would be able to smell trees, or feel dirt under my feet again. When Duncan lead me south I never realised how much I missed not being surrounded by walls. I had not experienced it since I was five." Daylen said wistfully. Darker thoughts trickling into his mind, "Anyway, enough about me, I'm sure we will be able to find the Iron Bark. How much for these?" He cast his hand to the elfroot, lyrium dust, Distillation agent, multiple flasks, and deep mushrooms. He paid with three gold and hurried away to prepare the potices and potions to quickly rejuvenate at least some of the group. He knew Alistair had been limping and favouring one side, the other man had yet to tell him why that was. Not that he could help any until he made a lyrium potion. When they reached the Aravel Lanaya stopped them, "I've taken care of your friends, their wounds have been fully healed but they still need a natural rest for now. Why not take a look around camp?"

"I just bought ingredients… they cost me three gold..." Daylen stared wide eyed in misery and horror, "Make them stab each other again right now! No- no I'll stab them it's only right I'm the lea-" A sharp yank from the painted elf had Daylen under control.

Zevran grinned as he pulled the ingredients out of the Warden's hands to shove into his pouch, "We would enjoy seeing the preparations for the festival. Come along Warden, let's go see some Halla." The elf dragged the dazed mage off and followed his nose to the Halla. A woman stood saddened as she tried to calm one of the beasts. Her hands sliding over white pelt. Many of the halla were in red and gold blankets, grazing on the hidden shoots and every green lake plants. It was beautiful, their carved antlers dusted with something shiny and bodies garbed in treasures of colour against their white. One Halla was larger than the rest, it had strappings in it's more dazzling outward positioned antlers, the powerful hooves pawed at the ground, even they were painted gold. Red again lay over the creatures back, along with a saddle. Zevran had a guess it was for the smaller children, the straps around it's neck, loosly hanging a precaution should the creature be startled.

"Is there something wrong with this Halla?" Daylen asked quietly to the Halla Keeper. "Sorry I should introduce myself first, I'm Grey Warden Daylen Amell."

"Elora, and yes, you have a good eye, I believe this Halla has been sickened by the wolves, yet I can't find a scratch on her. Since you noticed her distress, perhaps you could have a look?"

Daylen nodded, "I'm rather good with animals, I have a pet Alistair." Daylen joked as he held out his hand letting the Halla press it's maw into his palm and take a deep breath. Whether it was the scent of fresh elfroot or just his own, the Halla stayed still, allowing him to pet the animal and sooth down at her fur. His keen eyes inspected every inch, including the eyes of the beast but could find nothing but stress in the beast.

"Will she need to be put to rest? I would hate to do so but if she has something I can't let it spread to the others." Elora said sadly, pale hair hanging over her slightly weathered features.

Daylen shook his head, "No, this Halla is fine, something is bothering her, I don't know much about Halla but does she had a kid or do they mate for life? Something may be wrong in the herd in general or maybe to an elf she is fond of."

Elna nodded, "Excuse me, I will go check, thank you for calming her, she seems to like you."

When the elf had gone amongst the rest of the Halla, Zevran returned from looking up into the canopy, wondering how the elves had gotten steamers and finely polished metals and glass ornaments up in the trees. Wooden Carvings of Halla and nugs of all things dangling down. He ended up bumping into Daylen's shoulder in a daze. Daylen only smiled at him and steadied him with an arm holding the small of his back. Zevran almost jumped out of his skin, that was the second time the Warden had touched him with such a strange delicacy. Was it because he was smaller? Should he punch him? Daylen dropped his hand over Zevran's and guided it up to the Halla, laying the elf's palm over the rounded cheek. Zevran watched in startled curiosity as the Halla blew hot air at him and began to rub itself against his palm, turning as if a demand to pet her nose and maybe feed her something tasty. Daylen watched as vicious narrow elvhen eyes turned soft, childlike and even a little dazzled. He had noticed that Zevran carried a wall made of ice, layered with innuendos and sharp instruments of death. It was calming to see the elf reach up and pet a Halla, the creatures seemed so innocent and exotic. Zevran gently rubbed down the velvet snout, a smile widening on his lips as he became absorbed in the feel of short fur, the scent of grass on clean breath and the intelligent look in the creatures wide dark pearls. "I think she like me too." Zevran said hopefully looking for an agreement before he got too full of himself and was kicked.

"What is there not to like?" Daylen countered with a soft husk to his deep but smooth voice. Zevran looked up, quiet for a moment, he dipped his head back to the Halla, petting her once more as he tried not to get too happy that the Warden may actually enjoy having him in the group. It was temporary, he was not free, he was going to kill the other and he certainly did not want to be liked by a man he was going to kill. Still he could not stop the happiness that settled in him. "Yes, well, I am rather irresistible." He chirped with a laugh and stepped away from the Halla as Elna returned.

"You were correct, the Halla's mate was injured in the last attack, I have treated his wounds and it does not seem to have any sort of taint. Thank you for your service, here have this. I have a spare one this year. I enchanted it to bring good fortune." A Necklace, leather plaited for the string and a small pendant hung between bands of metal and wood. A Halla, finally cut sat in Daylen's palm. "Thank you." He murmured and closed his hand around the object before glancing at Zevran who had backed up to the bank. Daylen smirked at him and headed up.

"You know it's not nice to leave me all alone, I might get lost." Daylen mused but before Zevran could counter he stepped around the other man, "Hold still." He instructed seeing the elf tense immediately with him at his back. He dropped the pedant before Zevran's eyes before pulling it around his neck loosely and tying it at the back. "Happy Winters end."

Zevran felt his cheeks darken, a foolish thing, he was no virgin it was foolishness. Still he was forced to cover the bridge of his nose. His heart was racing as if he was on deaths door. Truly he was being an idiot. "T-thank you." He coughed to clear the stutter. "Happy Winters end, Daylen." He said softly and could not hide the softness in those words.