Rose Garden: Rose of Grace

Chapter 3

    "I'm relieved you have returned! And I did not expect to see you again so soon Duncan." Keeper Marethari welcomed them.

"I was not expecting to return so soon either, Keeper." Duncan said.

"Dare I ask of Tamlen? What did you find of him?"

Grace bit her lip before answer.

"If he was alive, the darkspawn would've killed him."

"There... There were darkspawn in the cave?" Keeper Marethari gasped.

"There is much to discuss, Keeper. I have learned a great deal since I was last here."

"Let us speak privately within my aravel then, Duncan." Keeper Marethari replied. "Merrill, warn the hunters. If darkspawn are about, I want the clan prepared."

"Ma nuvenin, Keeper. Right away." Merrill left to do her task.

"Da'len allow me some time to speak with Duncan. Seek us out at my aravel later, and we can discuss your cure."

"Very well, Keeper." Grace answered.

"Tell Hahren Pavel what has occurred. He now has the sad task of preparing a service for the dead. Follow me Duncan.I am eager to hear what you have to say."

Keeper Marethari and Duncan walked off to her aravel. Fenarel sighed and looked at Grace.

"I'm.. Going to go rest for awhile. This has all made me feel very .. uneasy."

"Alright Fenarel, I'll see you later." With that they went their separate ways. Grace walked through the camp over to a large bonfire where Hahren Pavel was. He looked over at Grace as she approached.

"So you returned with the Grey warden, but without Tamlen.What happened, da'len? Is he truly lost to us?"

Grace hugged herself as she looked down.

"It's my fault... I failed the clan." Her guilt swam around her head as soon as the stepped out of the damned cave.

"You've done nothing of the sort, da'len. Do not blame yourself. It seems the will of the Creators that I sing the dirge for those I held in my arms as babes. I think I know why our immortal ancestors would sleep." Hahren walked to the fire and started with closed eyes. "Swiftly do stars burn a path across the sky, hast'ning to place one last kiss upon your eye. Tenderly land enfolds you in slumber, softening the rolling thunder. Dagger now sheathed, bow no longer tense. During your last hour, only silence."

Haren opened his eyes and Grace stood beside him.

"Will you prepare a service for Tamlen, please?"

"Of course. We've no body to return to the soil, but we shall still song for Tamlen. The Creators must come to guide him to the Beyond. Tell the keeper it shall be done before the clan is ready to move on."

"Thank you, Hahren."

"Hmm.. You know, it's imperative now more than ever to pass on what we know to the young. Let us tell these children of the fall of the Dales. You can honor me by sharing in the telling."

Grace looked over at some of the small elven children playing around the fire pit.

"Certainly, Hahren."

"Come then, help me as I go along." Hahren gathered the children and they sat down to listen. "Would you care to begin, da'len?"

"Long ago, we were slaves to the humans." Grace started.

"Yes, slaves to a terrible empire the humans built on the darkest magic. When it fell, we became free. We built a homeland in the Dales, worshiping the Creators and rebuilding the culture and history we lost in our long years of slavery." Hahren added.

"But the humans wouldn't let it be."

"They were resentful: because we would not worship their gods, and because we put our people first. Over the years their nations grew cold towards the Dales. In their eyes, we were blasphemers and cruel tyrants."

"Then the humans declared war on the Dales."

"And so the Dales fell. They took our lands and dispersed our people, forcing us to live in their cities and abandon our gods. But many of us refused to relinquish our ways. We instead chose to scatter to the winds, wandering the lands."

"We chose wandering the lands rather than the human rule."

"To survive and preserve our culture, the clans stay apart until the say the Elvhenan have a homeland once more."

"We shall return the old ways to those who have lost them."

"We are the Dalish. Keepers of the lost lore, walkers of the lonely path."

"We are the last Elvhenan. Never again shall we submit." Grace finished.

"Thank you for your forbearance, da'len. You remember both the tale and the Oath of the dales perfectly. I will let you get on with your business now."

"You're welcome, Hahren." She smiled a bit and walked off. 'Where to go now?' She asked herself. 'Maybe the keeper is ready now.' She headed to where the keepers aravel was parked. Something felt strange within her, like this wasn't normal. Like something was off. She shook it off and stopped at the aravel just as the keeper and Duncan had came outside.

"Your keeper and I have spoken, and we've come to an arrangement that concerns you. My order is in need of help. You are in need of a cure. When I leave, I hope you will join me. You would be an excellent Grey Warden." Duncan spoke. Grace blinked in confusion.

"I would be honored, but how did this come about?" Everyone knew the greatness of the Wardens, even among the Dalish.

"The darkspawn taint courses through your veins. That you recovered at all is remarkable. But eventually, the taint will sicken and kill you, or worse. The Grey Wardens can prevent that, but it means joining us."

"Then I will join you." She said after taking a deep breath.

"I welcome you to the order. It is rare to have a Dalish amongst us, but they have always served with distinction." Duncan said.

"I know you'll do your clan proud, da'len. Take this ring. It Is you're your heritage and will protect you against the darkness to come." Marethari took her hands and placed a ring onto her palm. She closed her hands around the ring and Grace could feel the tears swelling up.

"A valuable gift. So.. Are you ready to go?"

"I would like to stay for Tamlen's funeral." Grace said putting the ring on her right hand.

"We have much ground to cover, but I cannot deny you that. Say your farewells... then er must be off."

"Come then, da'len. Before the Creators guide you from us, let your clan embrace you one last time." Marethari led Grace to where they were holding the funeral.

After the service Grace said her goodbyes. She gave Merrill a big hug then walked to the Warden. The two headed South for Ostagar. Along the way they caught a ride with a trader wagon and Grace took a restless nap.