"The Dalish and the Halla" Orana/Merrill 1.1/?
anonymous
September 4 2012, 22:29:57 UTC
Not sure if the OP is still around but, here's a fill anyway.
~
Master Hawke was very strange. Between insisting on paying her, giving her her own room and taking her shopping - shopping, the only shopping slaves were meant to do was for their Masters - Orana doesn't know what to make of the man.
It's been days since she turned up on the doorstep of the Hawke estate after being told to go there. Kirkwall is big and it very nearly overwhelms her. The streets look the same to her, the people mostly ignore her when she tries to ask for directions and what few that do answer her, only wrinkle their nose and mutter something about Hawke being 'unconventional'. She eventually finds the house, after hours of wandering the streets and finally coming upon a guard who could direct her to it.
She's greeted by a dwarf who doesn't know just what to do, but allows her to stay there at the mention of Master Hawke. He'll be able to tell them what's going on. The dwarf seems to be another servant, he prepares a meal for her, insists on doing so and while he does that, the lady of the house sets a place at the table for her, something else that takes her completely by surprise. Despite the gnawing hunger, she can't remember when she did last eat, she waits until the lady of the house gives her permission.
Master Hawke returns a day later, blood covered, tired and seemingly having forgotten what he's told her. A few tense moments later in which she's sure she's going to be back on the first boat to Tevinter, Master Hawke remembers that yes, he did tell her to come here and that he'd give her a job. Though the 'job' part is something she can't quite believe. Who gives a slave a job? Nonetheless, she's handed a pouch of coin and the dwarf, Bodahn is told to make up a room for her once she's chosen one. With that, Master Hawke retreats to his own room.
In the first few days, she's up at dawn cleaning the house and doing the cooking when everyone else awakens. She's tired but she keeps working, this is nothing new for her. It takes her mind off the homesickness, the grief and how much she misses her Papa. She can choke back the tears, keep her head down and get on with her work, hoping that no one will notice.
When she sees another elf it comes as a welcome sight. It's something familiar, something she's used to seeing. In Tevinter, there were plenty of elves around, in her Mistress's home, in the slave markets, or in the streets trailing after their own masters. She doesn't realise she's been standing there, watching this elf until the other elf notices her and waves cheerfully, beaming at her.
"Oh, hello. I didn't see you there," she greets her and gets up, brushing the dirt off of her knees. "Hawke said he'd taken on a new servant even if Fenris didn't look very pleased. Not that he ever looks pleased about anything..." She pauses, curses herself quietly. "Sorry, I haven't even introduced myself or asked your name yet. I'm Merrill."
Orana tries not to look as nervous as she feels, her heart hammering against her chest, even if it does strike her as odd that this elf would refer to the Master as simply 'Hawke'. "O-Orana..." she mutters, then diverts her gaze to the ground.
"Nice to meet you." Merrill approaches her, tilts her head curiously. "You can look at me you know." She pauses again. "Oh, stupid me, that's right. Hawke said you used to be a slave." Orana nods, for the moment still not looking at her.
She briefly risks a glance to Merrill, finds the bright smile she'd been wearing a few moments before has dimmed somewhat.
"Is this...one of your duties?" she asks, looking over to the flowerbed Merrill had been tending to moments before. "I suppose it is, seems to have fallen to me to do it." Merrill turns back to it, arms folded across her chest. "Hawke's mother, Leandra, likes to tend to them as well, it keeps her busy when Hawke is out doing all sorts. Hawke is just plain useless, when it comes to it. Give him a slaver or something to kill and he's fine, give him a plant, different matter." Merrill faces her once more. "Do you want to help?" The smile is back, bright as ever and undeterred.
"The Dalish and the Halla" Orana/Merrill 1.2/?
anonymous
September 4 2012, 22:34:36 UTC
She glances to the front door of the estate, her duties are mostly done for the day. She's cleaned the house, made some food for Mistress Hawke and fed the dog, there's nothing else for her to do, not until Hawke returns. She nods and Merrill leads her to the garden.
She kneels down at the flowerbed, Merrill at her side and watches as the other elf deftly digs holes in the dirt, plants the flowers and finishes off by giving each one some water. While this had never been one of her duties before, really Orana isn't exactly sure just what she's doing, Merrill is patient and shows her how to plant them, how much water to give each one and how to tend to the others. When they're done, the flowerbeds are awash with colour. Merrill stands up, puts her hands on her hips, nodding as she looks the garden over.
"A job well done, I think," Merrill remarks then helps her to her feet. "Do you think it looks all right?" She nods quickly. "It's...beautiful..." she says. "Aw that's sweet of you. You helped too remember, not just me who can take the credit for it." She looks down at her hands. "Better go and get cleaned up. Don't want to leave muddy handprints all over Hawke's nice clean house." Orana nods again and Merrill follows her back into the house through the servants' entrance.
"Elgar'nan...How does Hawke keep this place so clean?" Merrill remarks while Orana fills a basin with water and retrieves some cloth. If nothing else, she's learned quickly where everything is. "Look at this." Merrill runs a finger along one of the tables. "Spotless! Three years I've been in my house and I never get it anywhere near this nice looking." She pouts at the thought of it and Orana finds herself stifling a giggle.
One thing Merrill says has her confused however. "You have a house?" Merrill nods. "Hawke helped me find it and get started when I first left the clan three years ago. Well, more than that now." She offers another a smile. "He's very kind, he'll treat you well I'm sure."
Everything Merrill says only serves to confuse her more. A clan? Of course she'd heard of the Dalish elves from her Papa, yet for the most part she thought they were myth, didn't exist. Yet here was Merrill, telling her she was one of them and not only that, but that she'd left them to come and work for Hawke. She almost wishes she was back in Tevinter. Almost.
She sets the basin down, hands Merrill some of the cloth and scrubs the dirt from her own hands. She glances to Merrill again, then swallows, determined to strike up a conversation with the other elf. "Do you like it here?" she says. It's the first thing that can think of to ask and it's something that's been on her mind too.
Merrill gives a slight shrug. "For the most part. It was strange at first, I'd lived in Ferelden all my life then Sundermount after we left during the Blight." She takes her hands out of the basin, finds another cloth and starts to dry them off. "I miss it sometimes, the trees, the fresh air, the sounds of the rest of the clan. It took a while to get used to Kirkwall's sounds, everything seemed so busy and crowded, especially in the Alienage." She puts the cloth down and faces Orana once more. "Do you find that?" She nods. "It's so quiet, I thought there would be more slaves...servants around the house." She takes the cloth Merrill has just discarded and puts it into a basket. "Everything is...different here, I just hope I don't disappoint Master Hawke." "I'm sure you won't." Merrill pats her shoulder lightly. "The only other ones here are Bodahn and his son, even then that was Hawke's mother's idea to have them stay here." She heads for the door and looks back to her. "Are you coming up?" Orana nods and follows Merrill.
"The Dalish and the Halla" Orana/Merrill 1.3/?
anonymous
September 4 2012, 22:39:53 UTC
They head back into main hall of the house where Bodahn is already there. He nods in greeting to her. "Ah, I thought I saw you outside. Messere Hawke is out at the moment, nothing the matter is there?" Bodahn says. Merrill shakes her head. "Oh no, just dealing with the garden and getting to know Orana here." "Very good. Mistress Leandra does enjoy tending to it." Bodahn looks up at one of the windows for a moment. "Speaking of whom, she should be back soon and I'd better get started on dinner." "I should probably get back home too, don't want to get in the way after all." Merrill turns to leave, waving over her shoulder and calling out a goodbye to Bodahn and to her. That takes her by surprise. "She's a lovely girl Merrill, yet for some reason Master Hawke worries for her," Bodahn remarks, beginning to make his way to the kitchen. Orana follows him, ready to help out where needed. "Does he always worry about his servants?" she asks. Bodahn is one of the few she feels something like comfortable talking to. "Hm? Servants?" Bodahn raises an eyebrow. "Merrill isn't one of the servants. From what I understand, Master Hawke has known her since he came to Kirkwall." Oh Maker...Merrill was a guest in the house and wasn't treated properly? Orana feels a cold pit grow in her stomach. No matter how good Master Hawke has been to her, he surely won't forgive this. She says nothing more and merely follows Bodahn into the kitchen.
~
Master Hawke returns that night and Orana heats some of the dinner Bodahn has left for him. She doesn't dare meet his eye, she knows Bodahn has told him of her mistake or at the very least mentioned it. Sooner or later he's going to speak to her about it, punish her somehow, if anything she'd rather he got it over with. Papa always said the same thing, that waiting was sometimes worse, though she never believed him, few and far between times he ever was punished by the Magister for anything.
"Orana," Master Hawke says. She jumps, lost in her own thoughts and drops the plate she's been clearing away. It smashes on the floor and she curses herself. Something else for him to be annoyed at. A fine start this is. It's Master Hawke who apologises then gets up and leaves, returning a moment later with a brush and a box to put the remainders of the plate in it. "Well I can't say I was ever fond of that plate anyway," Master Hawke jokes. He looks up to her, sees the expression on her face, the plain dread and he sighs, getting up from the floor. He sits back down and gestures to the chair next to him. "Bodahn says Merrill was here earlier," he begins. She sits on the chair, still doesn't meet his eye, her gaze set firmly on the wood of the table. "Orana, look at me, please." She obeys. "You're not in trouble, really." She blinks then stares at him. "But...she was a guest and I didn't..." He holds a hand up to stop her. "Merrill knows where everything is in the house, probably better than what I do. You don't need to wait on her, or anyone that comes into the house hand and foot." "I...Yes, Master." Again, she drops her head. He groans slightly. "Something else we still need to work on." He pushes the chair out, gets up from the table. "You're doing fine so far, try not to worry so much. Bodahn or Mother will keep you right." She simply nods, taken aback that she's not in trouble and he's being so good about it.
Master Hawke leaves, telling her she has the rest of the night off and can get to bed early, make up for the early start she had. It seems nothing escapes his notice within the house. Again, she does as she's told, settling down in her room for the night.
"The Dalish and the Halla" Orana/Merrill 2.1/?
anonymous
September 6 2012, 11:41:40 UTC
It's another few weeks before she meets Merrill again. Once more it's in Hightown when she's returning from doing some shopping for Mistress Hawke. Merrill is standing in the middle of the street, looking around her and chews on her lip as she spins around then starts to walk one way. She halts, turns back and returns to where she was a moment before. There she stays for the time being, dodging passers by while they go about their business to and from the market.
Orana holds back, debating whether to approach or not. Despite that she has been growing more confident now that she's getting used to how everything works in the Hawke estate, she still feels a churning in her stomach. Should she be so bold as to approach Merrill? Was that the done thing here, for servants to start up a conversation with friends of their masters?
She feels her heart pound faster as she considers the idea, Merrill does look lost and perhaps she can help out somehow. She's spared however when Merrill spots her, gives her a friendly wave and trots over, a cheerful smile on her face.
"Hello again, Orana wasn't it?" Merrill greets her. She nods, and out of habit lowers her head. It's one thing she still finds herself doing, even after the assurances of Mistress and Master Hawke.
"Gone shopping, have you? Get anything nice?" Orana looks down at the bags. "Oh! Yes, Mistress Hawke asked me to get some food. She thinks Master Anders isn't eating well and Master Hawke is worried about it. Mistress hopes it'll put his mind at rest."
"Aw that's nice of her. Leandra is such a lovely woman." Merrill casts a glance to the bags. "Do you want some help carrying them? I've nothing to do and I think I'm a bit lost. Perhaps if I find my way to Hawke's house, I can get my bearings, find my way back to the Alienage."
"I could take you, if you like." She blurts it out without thinking. She has learned the way to the Alienage the times she's accompanied Mistress Hawke to visit Lowtown then sent her back to the estate.
It seems to have taken Merrill by surprise too. "You could?" Finding courage from somewhere, Orana nods. "I'll need to take these back to Mistress Hawke first, but I can take you there afterwards."
Merrill beams at her. "Oh you are wonderful! I knew I shouldn't have left that ball of twine Varric gave me at home. I thought I'd learned my way about by now." Her smile grows even wider when Orana smiles too, a blush creeping over the younger elf's cheeks as she once more diverts her gaze to the bags at her feet. Merrill moves forward, hand outstretched. "Here, let me help you with that," she says and picks up what looks to be one of the heavier bags.
Merrill chats to her all the way as they walk back to Hawke’s estate. It puts her at ease and she nods and smiles and the journey back passes quickly. Merrill goes in first, Orana following her and she directs Merrill to the kitchen. Master Hawke is right enough, Merrill does know the way better than what Hawke does. Her new Master seems rather useless when it comes to finding his way around and it hasn’t been the first time he’s walked into a cupboard only to walk back out again red-faced, claiming he meant to do it.
They leave the estate and Orana takes the lead, Merrill trotting behind her. “Are you settling in any better these days?” Merrill asks, breaking the silence that has fallen between them. Orana nods. “I am. Master Hawke has been good to me, though he is very strange.”
Merrill cocks her head to the side. “Strange? How so? Not that Hawke isn’t strange sometimes. Like all of that running around, I’m sure he gets lost and just doesn’t like to say, especially in the Wounded Coast.” She pauses and rubs the back of her neck. “Sorry, I ask you a question then I don’t give you time to answer it.”
"The Dalish and the Halla" Orana/Merrill 2.2/?
anonymous
September 6 2012, 12:05:34 UTC
“I don’t mind. No one really took the time to talk to me much before, besides my Papa. And the Magister when she was telling us what to do.” Orana shrugs slightly. “I like listening to others talking, it breaks the quiet in the mansion.” Merrill smiles. “That’s good. I told you Hawke would treat you well, far better than what you’ve been treated so far.” “Papa kept me out of the way most of the time.” “Sorry.” Merrill pauses then chews on her lip for a moment. “Do you miss him much? Your father?” Orana nods. “Sometimes. Most of the time I just try and not think about it. But when it gets quiet and I can’t sleep…” She sighs. “Do you not miss the other elves of your…clan, was it?” Merrill nods too. “I miss them. There’s times I miss the Keeper, even though we didn’t get along that well and she was forever giving me into trouble for one thing or another. But I miss her scolding, miss the trouble my clanmates and I could get into.” Orana giggles. “I can’t imagine you getting into trouble. You seemed so...sensible when I met you before and I don't know, just not the type.” It takes her a moment to realize what she’s said and she wonders if she’s spoken out of turn. Merrill laughs and shakes her head. “Me? Creators no. Do you know how long I spent wandering around the city before I got here? I thought I’d be wandering around for days. Or at least until Hawke found me or I got to the Hanged Man then Varric would take me home.” Orana laughs too and in turn, Merrill’s smile lights up her face and she pats Orana’s shoulder. “It’s nice to see you smile. You deserve to be happy, after the start you’ve had in life, being a slave and all.” Orana blushes and looks away. She can almost hear Merrill cringing. “Sorry, did I say something wrong?” “No, no, of course not. I’m not used…” She trails off, unsure of what she means to say or even what she hasn’t got used to yet. “To kindness from anyone?” Her smile is gentle now and she slips an arm around Orana’s shoulders, giving one a quick squeeze. And that’s exactly it. She isn’t used to kindness, not from Merrill, not from Master Hawke nor Master Anders or Mistress Hawke. She isn’t used to being treated as a person with thoughts and opinions on matters. She isn’t used to not being a slave.
They head through the rest of the city, Merrill immediately on her guard when the reach Lowtown. A few times Merrill halts her, gently pushing her back a few steps while Merrill reaches for her staff. There is nothing there and they continue on, Orana more than a little shaken.
When they reach the Alienage, the huge tree in the middle of the square catches Orana's eye and she wanders over to it. At the base of it, it is covered with brightly coloured paint and white vines, while surrounding it are lamps placed on boxes. She doesn't hear Merrill approach her once more and when she speaks, it makes Orana jump.
"The city elves call it the Tree of the People, it's one of the few things they still have. We have so little left of our history, our culture. One of my clanmates found what seemed to be evidence of elves living underground once, like the dwarves. I saw it myself, but at that time we were more concerned with finding our other clanmate." She sighs. "Come on, my house is over here if you'd like to see it." Orana casts a last glance to the tree then follows Merrill.
The house is small but open. The furniture is sparse, placed around the edges and there's a room to the side that Orana guesses is Merrill's bedroom. She holds back, standing at the door and waits for Merrill's permission to enter and sit down. It takes a moment for Merrill to realise what Orana is doing while she stands, her head down, eyes fixed on the floor.
"The Dalish and the Halla" Orana/Merrill 2.3/?
anonymous
September 6 2012, 12:07:32 UTC
"Oh Orana, come in. Sit, don't just stand at the door. You'll get cold, there's a terrible draft coming in from underneath, never could fix it. Every bit of cloth I put at it ends up stolen," Merrill tells her. She is busy at one end of the room, rifling through a box until she produces a red ball of twine.
"Do you want a drink? It's only water, though there might be some wine that Hawke left me. Somewhere." Orana shakes her head. "No, no. Water's fine."
Merrill disappears once more, then returns with the glass. Orana thanks her and follows Merrill to the bench in the middle of the room, where she waits until she's invited to sit down. "It's not much, but it's home," Merrill tells her. She smiles and gives a slight shrug.
Orana says nothing, holding the glass of water in her lap. Home to her is still Tevinter, much as she tries to think of it otherwise and she's sure that Merrill will not understand that she thinks of it so even now.
Merrill waits until she's finished her water then stands up from the bench. "Right, I'd better get you back to Hawke's," she says. "But won't you get lost again?"
She shakes her head and holds up the ball of twine. "Not with this. Varric gave it to me after he found me wandering around lost again. I won't lose my way when I have this. And Lowtown isn't a place for you to be wandering alone. I'll walk you back." Orana doesn't argue with her and Merrill drops her off at Hawke's estate.
"The Dalish and the Halla" Orana/Merrill 3.1/?
anonymous
September 13 2012, 11:22:55 UTC
For a while, it seems as if Merrill is at Master Hawke's estate almost every other day. Master Anders seems to take most umbrage with this as he grumbles about it over dinner and complains to Master Hawke about it. Master Hawke on the other hand simply seems pensive over the matter, saying little to Master Ander's complaints and only insisting that Merrill is not what she seems. Orana can't help but wonder just what he means there.
She's putting laundry away when she finds Merrill once again. The other elf is standing in the hall, speaking to the dog and doesn't notice her enter. Orana puts down the clothes basket and approaches Merrill.
"Master Hawke isn't here if that's who you're looking for, Mistress Merrill," Orana tells her. Merrill straightens from kneeling down to the dog's level. "Oh no, it wasn't Hawke I was after this time, it was you," Merrill answers with a smile. "Though, please, don't call me 'Mistress'. It makes me sound so old." "Sorry Mistr...I mean Merrill." It dawns on her then what Merrill has said. "You're looking for me?" Merrill nods and produces a small bag. "Here, this is a thank you for getting me back to the Alienage in one piece the other day."
Orana blinks at her, looking between the proffered bag and Merrill herself. For a few moments, she doesn't know what to do. Merrill's smile starts to fade. "Have I done something wrong?" Orana shakes her head quickly. "No! No...It's just I've never...What do I...do with it?"
Merrill puts the bag down then fishes out the items. She can't see what's enclosed in Merrill's hand but there is a potted plant with a few buds sprouting and a flower just beginning to open. "Well with this, you'll need to water it once a day, possibly more once the warm weather comes in. Needs plenty of sunlight, I know there's a few good windows in here that it would thrive...And that's not what you meant, was it?" "I've never had...things of my own. Whatever we needed Mistress Hadriana or one of the other Magisters provided it and even then it was mainly clothes and food." "You're not a slave now Orana. You have a job and I know Hawke won't mistreat you the way you were before." Merrill sighs. "It's hard for you to get out of that mindset, isn't it?" "Even though it's been more than a month, I still can't get used to it. To being treated as a person instead of just a thing."
"The Dalish and the Halla" Orana/Merrill 3.2/?
anonymous
September 13 2012, 11:24:43 UTC
"Do you think you ever will get used to it?" She shrugs. She truly doesn't know.
Merrill holds out the plant once more and this time Orana takes it. Merrill smiles at her and Orana smiles back shyly, dipping her head. "Well I'd call this a good start. Will you accept what else I have for you?" Orana nods.
To her surprise, Merrill takes a few steps forward and takes Orana's hand, placing a small silver brooch into it. It is a large animal, looking like a deer but elegant, with long twisted antlers and the fur engraved on it.
"We call it a 'halla'. I thought of you as soon as I saw it. They're shy sometimes, but they are so beautiful. My clanmate loved to spend time with them, there's times I would swear he was part halla, preferred to have a conversation with them than us some days." There's a flash of sadness over Merrill's face, as there always is when she mentions this clanmate of hers in particular.
Orana can only guess at what could've happened to them. She shakes her head then pins the brooch onto Orana's blouse. "It suits you." Orana looks down and nods in agreement. "Right I'd better get going, I only came here to drop this off for you." "You're leaving?" "I'm afraid so. I would stay longer if I could, do a bit of the garden I see Hawke's neglected yet again. The parts we did are coming along nicely, might need a water later but beyond that, they'll be fine." Orana walks her to the door and once there, looks to the ground to check if Varric's ball of twine has followed Merrill to the estate.
It has and this sets her mind at rest over Merrill's lack of a sense of direction. "I'll probably see you at some point, been meaning to ask Hawke something for a few days now, can't seem to get him on his own without Anders there glaring at me. Slightly off-putting and it always makes me forget." Orana simply nods.
With a pat on the shoulder, ending in a slight squeeze, Merrill jogs across the square while following her red twine, leaving Orana at the door.
"The Dalish and the Halla" Orana/Merrill 5.1/?
anonymous
October 29 2012, 14:07:08 UTC
A!A here. I still haven't finished this chapter but I wanted to post something rather than just leaving it till I was done. Hoping to get the rest done really soon, at least before NaNo begins. Hope you enjoy.
~
Predictably, Orana doesn't see Merrill around the estate very much after her argument with Master Hawke. She carries on with her duties and Master Hawke doesn't treat her any differently. He has noticed the halla brooch and remarked on it. She's surprised that she's allowed to keep it even after telling Master Hawke it was a gift from Merrill. He simply seems glad that she's found a friend of sorts.
It's weeks before she sees Merrill again, and despite her apprehension, Orana finds herself missing the other elf. Things are tense at the estate, events that she knows nothing of and she can only pick up bits and pieces about the Qunari and blood mages. She's seen the Qunari around when she's accompanying Mistress Hawke, despite for the most part they stay around the docks. Mages however are confined to the Gallows, though they are nothing like the mages she remembers of Tevinter. The mages here remind her of herself when she first arrived, terrified and utterly alone.
When she returns from the market, a bouquet of white lilies are in a vase on one of the tables while Mistress Hawke fusses with them. "Oh, those are lovely, Mistress," she says. Mistress Hawke nods. "Aren't they? I don't know who they're from, it seems I have a secret admirer." "Really? Does Master Hawke know?" "Not as far as I know. But he'll worry, like he always does. I can't blame him, not really but he seems to think I should be happy to be cooped up here all the time." "You need out Mistress, I know how much you enjoy your walks." "Indeed." Mistress Hawke notices the bags she's carrying and approaches her. "Here, let me help you with that. It's another hour before I need to leave and visit Gamlen."
As always Orana is about to protest about the lady of the house doing anything so menial as helping her carry some bags. As always, her protestations are cut off and Mistress Hawke carries half the bags and helps to put them away before she leaves.
This is the last time Orana sees her.
~
It's nightfall when Gamlen comes to the estate looking for Mistress Hawke. Orana doesn't like him. He makes comments and constantly smells of drink. "You there! Elf. Where's Leandra? Is she here?" he says upon seeing her. Orana squeaks and jumps. She wasn't expecting him to be there in the hall, she didn't even hear him come in. "Quickly girl. Answer me! Where's Leandra?" Orana shakes her head, her breath shaky and catching in her throat. She wants to hide, to get out of his way and let Master Hawke deal with him. Master Hawke however isn't here. She opens her mouth to answer him, to tell him Mistress Leandra isn't there, but no words come out. She simply stands there, becoming more flustered and scared which only serves to frustrate Gamlen more.
She's saved when the doors open and Master Hawke and Master Anders return. They're covered in blood, both looking tired and Gamlen forgets about her completely, striding over to them. Gamlen and Master Hawke exchange words before Master Hawke turns and runs out of the door. Master Anders is after him in seconds. Orana waits till they're gone and flumps to the floor.
It's another week before she sees Master Hawke again.
~
Leandra is dead.
Master Anders returns some hours later. Orana cannot sleep, too worried about Mistress Leandra now that too much time has passed for her simply to be taking a walk. He gathers Bodahn, Sandal and herself and informs them of what's happened. A mage has killed Leandra, Master Hawke is not in a good way, understandably. Orana thinks of her father and wants to cry. She holds back until Master Anders has left and she is back in her own room. Once there, she curls up on her bed, hugs her pillow and sobs into it.
Mistress Leandra is gone. Master Hawke is gone and Orana can't help but wonder if he's coming back.
~
Master Hawke was very strange. Between insisting on paying her, giving her her own room and taking her shopping - shopping, the only shopping slaves were meant to do was for their Masters - Orana doesn't know what to make of the man.
It's been days since she turned up on the doorstep of the Hawke estate after being told to go there. Kirkwall is big and it very nearly overwhelms her. The streets look the same to her, the people mostly ignore her when she tries to ask for directions and what few that do answer her, only wrinkle their nose and mutter something about Hawke being 'unconventional'. She eventually finds the house, after hours of wandering the streets and finally coming upon a guard who could direct her to it.
She's greeted by a dwarf who doesn't know just what to do, but allows her to stay there at the mention of Master Hawke. He'll be able to tell them what's going on.
The dwarf seems to be another servant, he prepares a meal for her, insists on doing so and while he does that, the lady of the house sets a place at the table for her, something else that takes her completely by surprise. Despite the gnawing hunger, she can't remember when she did last eat, she waits until the lady of the house gives her permission.
Master Hawke returns a day later, blood covered, tired and seemingly having forgotten what he's told her. A few tense moments later in which she's sure she's going to be back on the first boat to Tevinter, Master Hawke remembers that yes, he did tell her to come here and that he'd give her a job. Though the 'job' part is something she can't quite believe. Who gives a slave a job? Nonetheless, she's handed a pouch of coin and the dwarf, Bodahn is told to make up a room for her once she's chosen one. With that, Master Hawke retreats to his own room.
In the first few days, she's up at dawn cleaning the house and doing the cooking when everyone else awakens. She's tired but she keeps working, this is nothing new for her. It takes her mind off the homesickness, the grief and how much she misses her Papa. She can choke back the tears, keep her head down and get on with her work, hoping that no one will notice.
When she sees another elf it comes as a welcome sight. It's something familiar, something she's used to seeing. In Tevinter, there were plenty of elves around, in her Mistress's home, in the slave markets, or in the streets trailing after their own masters. She doesn't realise she's been standing there, watching this elf until the other elf notices her and waves cheerfully, beaming at her.
"Oh, hello. I didn't see you there," she greets her and gets up, brushing the dirt off of her knees. "Hawke said he'd taken on a new servant even if Fenris didn't look very pleased. Not that he ever looks pleased about anything..." She pauses, curses herself quietly. "Sorry, I haven't even introduced myself or asked your name yet. I'm Merrill."
Orana tries not to look as nervous as she feels, her heart hammering against her chest, even if it does strike her as odd that this elf would refer to the Master as simply 'Hawke'. "O-Orana..." she mutters, then diverts her gaze to the ground.
"Nice to meet you." Merrill approaches her, tilts her head curiously. "You can look at me you know." She pauses again. "Oh, stupid me, that's right. Hawke said you used to be a slave."
Orana nods, for the moment still not looking at her.
She briefly risks a glance to Merrill, finds the bright smile she'd been wearing a few moments before has dimmed somewhat.
"Is this...one of your duties?" she asks, looking over to the flowerbed Merrill had been tending to moments before.
"I suppose it is, seems to have fallen to me to do it." Merrill turns back to it, arms folded across her chest. "Hawke's mother, Leandra, likes to tend to them as well, it keeps her busy when Hawke is out doing all sorts. Hawke is just plain useless, when it comes to it. Give him a slaver or something to kill and he's fine, give him a plant, different matter." Merrill faces her once more. "Do you want to help?" The smile is back, bright as ever and undeterred.
Reply
She nods and Merrill leads her to the garden.
She kneels down at the flowerbed, Merrill at her side and watches as the other elf deftly digs holes in the dirt, plants the flowers and finishes off by giving each one some water. While this had never been one of her duties before, really Orana isn't exactly sure just what she's doing, Merrill is patient and shows her how to plant them, how much water to give each one and how to tend to the others. When they're done, the flowerbeds are awash with colour. Merrill stands up, puts her hands on her hips, nodding as she looks the garden over.
"A job well done, I think," Merrill remarks then helps her to her feet. "Do you think it looks all right?"
She nods quickly. "It's...beautiful..." she says.
"Aw that's sweet of you. You helped too remember, not just me who can take the credit for it." She looks down at her hands. "Better go and get cleaned up. Don't want to leave muddy handprints all over Hawke's nice clean house."
Orana nods again and Merrill follows her back into the house through the servants' entrance.
"Elgar'nan...How does Hawke keep this place so clean?" Merrill remarks while Orana fills a basin with water and retrieves some cloth. If nothing else, she's learned quickly where everything is. "Look at this." Merrill runs a finger along one of the tables. "Spotless! Three years I've been in my house and I never get it anywhere near this nice looking." She pouts at the thought of it and Orana finds herself stifling a giggle.
One thing Merrill says has her confused however. "You have a house?"
Merrill nods. "Hawke helped me find it and get started when I first left the clan three years ago. Well, more than that now." She offers another a smile. "He's very kind, he'll treat you well I'm sure."
Everything Merrill says only serves to confuse her more. A clan? Of course she'd heard of the Dalish elves from her Papa, yet for the most part she thought they were myth, didn't exist. Yet here was Merrill, telling her she was one of them and not only that, but that she'd left them to come and work for Hawke. She almost wishes she was back in Tevinter. Almost.
She sets the basin down, hands Merrill some of the cloth and scrubs the dirt from her own hands. She glances to Merrill again, then swallows, determined to strike up a conversation with the other elf. "Do you like it here?" she says. It's the first thing that can think of to ask and it's something that's been on her mind too.
Merrill gives a slight shrug. "For the most part. It was strange at first, I'd lived in Ferelden all my life then Sundermount after we left during the Blight." She takes her hands out of the basin, finds another cloth and starts to dry them off. "I miss it sometimes, the trees, the fresh air, the sounds of the rest of the clan. It took a while to get used to Kirkwall's sounds, everything seemed so busy and crowded, especially in the Alienage." She puts the cloth down and faces Orana once more. "Do you find that?"
She nods. "It's so quiet, I thought there would be more slaves...servants around the house." She takes the cloth Merrill has just discarded and puts it into a basket. "Everything is...different here, I just hope I don't disappoint Master Hawke."
"I'm sure you won't." Merrill pats her shoulder lightly. "The only other ones here are Bodahn and his son, even then that was Hawke's mother's idea to have them stay here." She heads for the door and looks back to her. "Are you coming up?"
Orana nods and follows Merrill.
Reply
Merrill shakes her head. "Oh no, just dealing with the garden and getting to know Orana here."
"Very good. Mistress Leandra does enjoy tending to it." Bodahn looks up at one of the windows for a moment. "Speaking of whom, she should be back soon and I'd better get started on dinner."
"I should probably get back home too, don't want to get in the way after all." Merrill turns to leave, waving over her shoulder and calling out a goodbye to Bodahn and to her. That takes her by surprise.
"She's a lovely girl Merrill, yet for some reason Master Hawke worries for her," Bodahn remarks, beginning to make his way to the kitchen. Orana follows him, ready to help out where needed.
"Does he always worry about his servants?" she asks. Bodahn is one of the few she feels something like comfortable talking to.
"Hm? Servants?" Bodahn raises an eyebrow. "Merrill isn't one of the servants. From what I understand, Master Hawke has known her since he came to Kirkwall."
Oh Maker...Merrill was a guest in the house and wasn't treated properly? Orana feels a cold pit grow in her stomach. No matter how good Master Hawke has been to her, he surely won't forgive this.
She says nothing more and merely follows Bodahn into the kitchen.
~
Master Hawke returns that night and Orana heats some of the dinner Bodahn has left for him. She doesn't dare meet his eye, she knows Bodahn has told him of her mistake or at the very least mentioned it. Sooner or later he's going to speak to her about it, punish her somehow, if anything she'd rather he got it over with. Papa always said the same thing, that waiting was sometimes worse, though she never believed him, few and far between times he ever was punished by the Magister for anything.
"Orana," Master Hawke says.
She jumps, lost in her own thoughts and drops the plate she's been clearing away. It smashes on the floor and she curses herself. Something else for him to be annoyed at. A fine start this is.
It's Master Hawke who apologises then gets up and leaves, returning a moment later with a brush and a box to put the remainders of the plate in it. "Well I can't say I was ever fond of that plate anyway," Master Hawke jokes. He looks up to her, sees the expression on her face, the plain dread and he sighs, getting up from the floor.
He sits back down and gestures to the chair next to him. "Bodahn says Merrill was here earlier," he begins. She sits on the chair, still doesn't meet his eye, her gaze set firmly on the wood of the table. "Orana, look at me, please." She obeys. "You're not in trouble, really."
She blinks then stares at him. "But...she was a guest and I didn't..."
He holds a hand up to stop her. "Merrill knows where everything is in the house, probably better than what I do. You don't need to wait on her, or anyone that comes into the house hand and foot."
"I...Yes, Master." Again, she drops her head.
He groans slightly. "Something else we still need to work on." He pushes the chair out, gets up from the table. "You're doing fine so far, try not to worry so much. Bodahn or Mother will keep you right."
She simply nods, taken aback that she's not in trouble and he's being so good about it.
Master Hawke leaves, telling her she has the rest of the night off and can get to bed early, make up for the early start she had. It seems nothing escapes his notice within the house. Again, she does as she's told, settling down in her room for the night.
Reply
Reply
Orana holds back, debating whether to approach or not. Despite that she has been growing more confident now that she's getting used to how everything works in the Hawke estate, she still feels a churning in her stomach. Should she be so bold as to approach Merrill? Was that the done thing here, for servants to start up a conversation with friends of their masters?
She feels her heart pound faster as she considers the idea, Merrill does look lost and perhaps she can help out somehow. She's spared however when Merrill spots her, gives her a friendly wave and trots over, a cheerful smile on her face.
"Hello again, Orana wasn't it?" Merrill greets her.
She nods, and out of habit lowers her head. It's one thing she still finds herself doing, even after the assurances of Mistress and Master Hawke.
"Gone shopping, have you? Get anything nice?"
Orana looks down at the bags. "Oh! Yes, Mistress Hawke asked me to get some food. She thinks Master Anders isn't eating well and Master Hawke is worried about it. Mistress hopes it'll put his mind at rest."
"Aw that's nice of her. Leandra is such a lovely woman." Merrill casts a glance to the bags. "Do you want some help carrying them? I've nothing to do and I think I'm a bit lost. Perhaps if I find my way to Hawke's house, I can get my bearings, find my way back to the Alienage."
"I could take you, if you like." She blurts it out without thinking. She has learned the way to the Alienage the times she's accompanied Mistress Hawke to visit Lowtown then sent her back to the estate.
It seems to have taken Merrill by surprise too. "You could?"
Finding courage from somewhere, Orana nods. "I'll need to take these back to Mistress Hawke first, but I can take you there afterwards."
Merrill beams at her. "Oh you are wonderful! I knew I shouldn't have left that ball of twine Varric gave me at home. I thought I'd learned my way about by now." Her smile grows even wider when Orana smiles too, a blush creeping over the younger elf's cheeks as she once more diverts her gaze to the bags at her feet. Merrill moves forward, hand outstretched. "Here, let me help you with that," she says and picks up what looks to be one of the heavier bags.
Merrill chats to her all the way as they walk back to Hawke’s estate. It puts her at ease and she nods and smiles and the journey back passes quickly. Merrill goes in first, Orana following her and she directs Merrill to the kitchen. Master Hawke is right enough, Merrill does know the way better than what Hawke does. Her new Master seems rather useless when it comes to finding his way around and it hasn’t been the first time he’s walked into a cupboard only to walk back out again red-faced, claiming he meant to do it.
They leave the estate and Orana takes the lead, Merrill trotting behind her.
“Are you settling in any better these days?” Merrill asks, breaking the silence that has fallen between them.
Orana nods. “I am. Master Hawke has been good to me, though he is very strange.”
Merrill cocks her head to the side. “Strange? How so? Not that Hawke isn’t strange sometimes. Like all of that running around, I’m sure he gets lost and just doesn’t like to say, especially in the Wounded Coast.” She pauses and rubs the back of her neck. “Sorry, I ask you a question then I don’t give you time to answer it.”
Reply
Merrill smiles. “That’s good. I told you Hawke would treat you well, far better than what you’ve been treated so far.”
“Papa kept me out of the way most of the time.”
“Sorry.” Merrill pauses then chews on her lip for a moment. “Do you miss him much? Your father?”
Orana nods. “Sometimes. Most of the time I just try and not think about it. But when it gets quiet and I can’t sleep…” She sighs. “Do you not miss the other elves of your…clan, was it?”
Merrill nods too. “I miss them. There’s times I miss the Keeper, even though we didn’t get along that well and she was forever giving me into trouble for one thing or another. But I miss her scolding, miss the trouble my clanmates and I could get into.”
Orana giggles. “I can’t imagine you getting into trouble. You seemed so...sensible when I met you before and I don't know, just not the type.” It takes her a moment to realize what she’s said and she wonders if she’s spoken out of turn.
Merrill laughs and shakes her head. “Me? Creators no. Do you know how long I spent wandering around the city before I got here? I thought I’d be wandering around for days. Or at least until Hawke found me or I got to the Hanged Man then Varric would take me home.”
Orana laughs too and in turn, Merrill’s smile lights up her face and she pats Orana’s shoulder. “It’s nice to see you smile. You deserve to be happy, after the start you’ve had in life, being a slave and all.”
Orana blushes and looks away. She can almost hear Merrill cringing.
“Sorry, did I say something wrong?”
“No, no, of course not. I’m not used…” She trails off, unsure of what she means to say or even what she hasn’t got used to yet.
“To kindness from anyone?” Her smile is gentle now and she slips an arm around Orana’s shoulders, giving one a quick squeeze.
And that’s exactly it. She isn’t used to kindness, not from Merrill, not from Master Hawke nor Master Anders or Mistress Hawke. She isn’t used to being treated as a person with thoughts and opinions on matters. She isn’t used to not being a slave.
They head through the rest of the city, Merrill immediately on her guard when the reach Lowtown. A few times Merrill halts her, gently pushing her back a few steps while Merrill reaches for her staff. There is nothing there and they continue on, Orana more than a little shaken.
When they reach the Alienage, the huge tree in the middle of the square catches Orana's eye and she wanders over to it. At the base of it, it is covered with brightly coloured paint and white vines, while surrounding it are lamps placed on boxes. She doesn't hear Merrill approach her once more and when she speaks, it makes Orana jump.
"The city elves call it the Tree of the People, it's one of the few things they still have. We have so little left of our history, our culture. One of my clanmates found what seemed to be evidence of elves living underground once, like the dwarves. I saw it myself, but at that time we were more concerned with finding our other clanmate." She sighs. "Come on, my house is over here if you'd like to see it."
Orana casts a last glance to the tree then follows Merrill.
The house is small but open. The furniture is sparse, placed around the edges and there's a room to the side that Orana guesses is Merrill's bedroom. She holds back, standing at the door and waits for Merrill's permission to enter and sit down.
It takes a moment for Merrill to realise what Orana is doing while she stands, her head down, eyes fixed on the floor.
Reply
"Do you want a drink? It's only water, though there might be some wine that Hawke left me. Somewhere."
Orana shakes her head. "No, no. Water's fine."
Merrill disappears once more, then returns with the glass. Orana thanks her and follows Merrill to the bench in the middle of the room, where she waits until she's invited to sit down.
"It's not much, but it's home," Merrill tells her. She smiles and gives a slight shrug.
Orana says nothing, holding the glass of water in her lap. Home to her is still Tevinter, much as she tries to think of it otherwise and she's sure that Merrill will not understand that she thinks of it so even now.
Merrill waits until she's finished her water then stands up from the bench. "Right, I'd better get you back to Hawke's," she says.
"But won't you get lost again?"
She shakes her head and holds up the ball of twine. "Not with this. Varric gave it to me after he found me wandering around lost again. I won't lose my way when I have this. And Lowtown isn't a place for you to be wandering alone. I'll walk you back."
Orana doesn't argue with her and Merrill drops her off at Hawke's estate.
Reply
She's putting laundry away when she finds Merrill once again. The other elf is standing in the hall, speaking to the dog and doesn't notice her enter. Orana puts down the clothes basket and approaches Merrill.
"Master Hawke isn't here if that's who you're looking for, Mistress Merrill," Orana tells her.
Merrill straightens from kneeling down to the dog's level. "Oh no, it wasn't Hawke I was after this time, it was you," Merrill answers with a smile. "Though, please, don't call me 'Mistress'. It makes me sound so old."
"Sorry Mistr...I mean Merrill." It dawns on her then what Merrill has said. "You're looking for me?"
Merrill nods and produces a small bag. "Here, this is a thank you for getting me back to the Alienage in one piece the other day."
Orana blinks at her, looking between the proffered bag and Merrill herself. For a few moments, she doesn't know what to do.
Merrill's smile starts to fade. "Have I done something wrong?"
Orana shakes her head quickly. "No! No...It's just I've never...What do I...do with it?"
Merrill puts the bag down then fishes out the items. She can't see what's enclosed in Merrill's hand but there is a potted plant with a few buds sprouting and a flower just beginning to open.
"Well with this, you'll need to water it once a day, possibly more once the warm weather comes in. Needs plenty of sunlight, I know there's a few good windows in here that it would thrive...And that's not what you meant, was it?"
"I've never had...things of my own. Whatever we needed Mistress Hadriana or one of the other Magisters provided it and even then it was mainly clothes and food."
"You're not a slave now Orana. You have a job and I know Hawke won't mistreat you the way you were before." Merrill sighs. "It's hard for you to get out of that mindset, isn't it?"
"Even though it's been more than a month, I still can't get used to it. To being treated as a person instead of just a thing."
Reply
She shrugs. She truly doesn't know.
Merrill holds out the plant once more and this time Orana takes it. Merrill smiles at her and Orana smiles back shyly, dipping her head. "Well I'd call this a good start. Will you accept what else I have for you?"
Orana nods.
To her surprise, Merrill takes a few steps forward and takes Orana's hand, placing a small silver brooch into it. It is a large animal, looking like a deer but elegant, with long twisted antlers and the fur engraved on it.
"We call it a 'halla'. I thought of you as soon as I saw it. They're shy sometimes, but they are so beautiful. My clanmate loved to spend time with them, there's times I would swear he was part halla, preferred to have a conversation with them than us some days." There's a flash of sadness over Merrill's face, as there always is when she mentions this clanmate of hers in particular.
Orana can only guess at what could've happened to them. She shakes her head then pins the brooch onto Orana's blouse. "It suits you."
Orana looks down and nods in agreement.
"Right I'd better get going, I only came here to drop this off for you."
"You're leaving?"
"I'm afraid so. I would stay longer if I could, do a bit of the garden I see Hawke's neglected yet again. The parts we did are coming along nicely, might need a water later but beyond that, they'll be fine."
Orana walks her to the door and once there, looks to the ground to check if Varric's ball of twine has followed Merrill to the estate.
It has and this sets her mind at rest over Merrill's lack of a sense of direction.
"I'll probably see you at some point, been meaning to ask Hawke something for a few days now, can't seem to get him on his own without Anders there glaring at me. Slightly off-putting and it always makes me forget."
Orana simply nods.
With a pat on the shoulder, ending in a slight squeeze, Merrill jogs across the square while following her red twine, leaving Orana at the door.
Reply
Reply
Hope you enjoy.
~
Predictably, Orana doesn't see Merrill around the estate very much after her argument with Master Hawke. She carries on with her duties and Master Hawke doesn't treat her any differently. He has noticed the halla brooch and remarked on it. She's surprised that she's allowed to keep it even after telling Master Hawke it was a gift from Merrill. He simply seems glad that she's found a friend of sorts.
It's weeks before she sees Merrill again, and despite her apprehension, Orana finds herself missing the other elf. Things are tense at the estate, events that she knows nothing of and she can only pick up bits and pieces about the Qunari and blood mages. She's seen the Qunari around when she's accompanying Mistress Hawke, despite for the most part they stay around the docks. Mages however are confined to the Gallows, though they are nothing like the mages she remembers of Tevinter. The mages here remind her of herself when she first arrived, terrified and utterly alone.
When she returns from the market, a bouquet of white lilies are in a vase on one of the tables while Mistress Hawke fusses with them.
"Oh, those are lovely, Mistress," she says.
Mistress Hawke nods. "Aren't they? I don't know who they're from, it seems I have a secret admirer."
"Really? Does Master Hawke know?"
"Not as far as I know. But he'll worry, like he always does. I can't blame him, not really but he seems to think I should be happy to be cooped up here all the time."
"You need out Mistress, I know how much you enjoy your walks."
"Indeed." Mistress Hawke notices the bags she's carrying and approaches her. "Here, let me help you with that. It's another hour before I need to leave and visit Gamlen."
As always Orana is about to protest about the lady of the house doing anything so menial as helping her carry some bags. As always, her protestations are cut off and Mistress Hawke carries half the bags and helps to put them away before she leaves.
This is the last time Orana sees her.
~
It's nightfall when Gamlen comes to the estate looking for Mistress Hawke. Orana doesn't like him. He makes comments and constantly smells of drink.
"You there! Elf. Where's Leandra? Is she here?" he says upon seeing her.
Orana squeaks and jumps. She wasn't expecting him to be there in the hall, she didn't even hear him come in.
"Quickly girl. Answer me! Where's Leandra?"
Orana shakes her head, her breath shaky and catching in her throat. She wants to hide, to get out of his way and let Master Hawke deal with him. Master Hawke however isn't here.
She opens her mouth to answer him, to tell him Mistress Leandra isn't there, but no words come out. She simply stands there, becoming more flustered and scared which only serves to frustrate Gamlen more.
She's saved when the doors open and Master Hawke and Master Anders return. They're covered in blood, both looking tired and Gamlen forgets about her completely, striding over to them. Gamlen and Master Hawke exchange words before Master Hawke turns and runs out of the door. Master Anders is after him in seconds. Orana waits till they're gone and flumps to the floor.
It's another week before she sees Master Hawke again.
~
Leandra is dead.
Master Anders returns some hours later. Orana cannot sleep, too worried about Mistress Leandra now that too much time has passed for her simply to be taking a walk. He gathers Bodahn, Sandal and herself and informs them of what's happened. A mage has killed Leandra, Master Hawke is not in a good way, understandably. Orana thinks of her father and wants to cry. She holds back until Master Anders has left and she is back in her own room. Once there, she curls up on her bed, hugs her pillow and sobs into it.
Mistress Leandra is gone. Master Hawke is gone and Orana can't help but wonder if he's coming back.
Reply
Leave a comment