Memory of Death

It dragged itself along the forest floor with its one remaining arm, leaving a trail of dark red blood in its wake. It had lost its pursuers in the Deep Roads before it doubled back and made its way into the forest where its lover and child had fled. It could smell them and see the trail they’d made through the brush. It was getting closer; it started to salivate at the thought.

It found them sleeping between the roots of a gnarled old tree. The demon reached its claws out, but Toma reined it in, pulling its paw back sharply. Hawke snarled at it, and it slunk away to a corner of his mind.

“Fenris,” he warbled quietly in the demon’s voice, trying not to waken his son. “Fenris. Lover, wake up.”

The elvhen warrior started awake, jolting the boy from slumber as well. The child screamed, frightened by the hideous countenance that used to be his father. Hawke stumble backwards, hiding his face with his single clawed hand.

“I’m sorry!” he rumbled. “I’m sorry, sweetling. I didn’t mean to scare you. Don’t look at me, Fenlen; I’m so hideous.” He sobbed, though his demon form could shed no tears.

“Papa?” the child inquired, inching forward slowly. “Is that you, Papa?” Fenlen tugged at the demon’s paw trying to remove it from its face.

“No! Don’t! I’ll frighten you again!” it cried turning its back on the boy.

“Come, Fenlen,” said Fenris. “I want you to walk around the other side of the tree, and no matter what you hear, no peeking. I’ll come and get you, and then we’ll go to Kirkwall and try and find some of your Papa’s old friends.”

“But Papa!”

“Do as he says, my darling. I don’t want you to see. Cover your ears and hum that elvhen song you taught me, okay?” the demon crooned sickeningly.

“Alright, Papa,” Fenlen sniffled. “I love you. *Ma’arlath.”

“Ma’arlath, Fenlen. Papa will watch over you from the Maker’s side.”

Fenlen slowly walked around the tree until he was on the opposite side from his Papa and Fenris. He covered his ears and slowly started to sing.

“**Melava inan enansal

ir su araval tu elvaral

u na emma abelas

in elgar sa vir mana

in tu setheneran din emma na”

There was a gut-wrenching screech that faded into a bloody gurgled and then silenced. The boy took another breath and continued shakily, his voice quivering with tears.

“lath sulevin

lath araval ena

arla ven tu vir mahvir

melana ‘nehn

enasal ir sa lethalin”

He jumped when a heavy hand landed on his head. He looked up to see Fenris with pitying look on his face. His armor was splattered with blood. His Papa’s blood.

He burst into heart-wrenching sobs as the elder elf held him in a comforting embrace.

o0O.O0o

* Ma’arlath – I love you

** Time was once a blessing

but long journeys are made longer

when alone within.

Take spirit from the long ago

but do not dwell in lands no longer yours.



Be certain in need,

and the path will emerge

to a home tomorrow

and time will again

be the joy it once was

*** I do not own this song. I took it and the translation from Dragon Age Wikipedia. It is called "Leliana's Song" and is owned by Bioware (I think).