In League With The Wolf - The Elves of Fen'Harel Book 2 (Dragon Age)

Dread Wolf

It took her almost two days to find the place from her vision. It was quiet, abandoned by civilisation. The eluvian stood alone, tall and elegant, glowing with power and the promise of adventure. Tilda shivered, putting her palm against it, feeling it activate, just for her. What did it mean? She wondered. And where did Mythal intend to lead her?

She took a deep breath before stepping through into the Crossroads. It was different to the last time. The light was warm, golden, the ground paved, with tufts of grass rising from the cracks. The trees, almost metallic rose up, curved, ornate, intricate.

Taking tentative steps, she headed through the Crossroads, watching out for Flemeth. She was almost ready to give up when she saw her mother, standing with her back to her. Her mother stood, staring into the crystalline depths of the eluvian. "I knew you would come." She said, her voice soft. Tilda was about to step forward, when she realised her mother was addressing someone else, someone who stepped from the trees on the other side of the grove.

Solas.

What was he doing there? He looked tearful, overwrought in a way she had rarely seen him, approaching her mother with hesitation.

"You should not have given your orb to Corypheus, Dread Wolf."

"I was too weak to unlock it after my slumber." He reached Mythal, bowing his head. "The failure was mine. I should pay the price, but the people, they need me."

She didn't understand, frozen in her listening. Mythal and Solas stood so close, their faces almost touching. Her mother reached out, taking his face in her hands with tenderness.

"I am so sorry." Solas murmured.

Mythal leaned into the embrace. "I am sorry as well, old friend."

There was a burst of light from Solas. It struck Flemeth, and she let out a soft cry, blue light flowing from her to him, and she crumpled in his arms. He lowered her down before the eluvian, her body changing, turning to stone before Tilda's horrified eyes.

Solas looked up, brilliant blue light glowing in his eyes.

Tilda screamed. Solas leapt back in shock as she ran past him, pushing him out of the way to fall down beside her mother's body. "No!" She screamed. "No!" She cradled the woman in her arms, but he was gone. Her body was hard, solid, stone. "Mother, please!" Tears burst in her eyes, pouring down her cheeks in a torrent. "Please, come back!"

Solas was on his feet. There were tears on his cheeks, watching her. He was shaking. "Tilda, da'len. Tilda. What...?" He was speechless.

"Please." Tilda rocked back and forward. "Don't leave me." She whispered. It was impossible. Her mother was invincible. No one could kill Flemeth or Mythal. So many had tried, and every time she had just returned, stronger and a little different. But this time, it felt...final. Permanent.

Her heart was breaking. She couldn't bear it.

Solas was still just staring at her, as if he had never seen her before. Looking back at him, her grief turned rapidly to rage. "You killed her." She whispered. Her legs trembled as she stood. "You just murdered my mother."

"Tilda, I didn't..."

"You didn't what?" She hissed, her voice getting louder with every word, "You didn't mean to? To kill my family? To lie to me, to all of us? To betray us?"

"I'm sorry!" He cried out, staring at her, power still glowing in his eyes. "You shouldn't have been here! You shouldn't have had to see it!"

"Who are you?" She screamed at him. "She called you..." The implications of what she had seen, what she had heard, had not even begun to sink in.