Fenris can’t help but freeze when he sees the halla in the early dawn light. He doesn’t realize how suddenly he stops until Merrill slams into his back with a squeak, nearly sending them both over. He manages a mumbled apology, unable to take his eyes off of the beasts. Suddenly he’s not on Sundermount anymore, he can’t feel the warmth of the rising sun soaking into the back of his neck and chasing away the damp mists. Suddenly he’s miles and years away, curled by a small hearth with his mother running her hand through his hair.
“The halla are the most beautiful creatures you’ll ever see. They leap through the air with more grace than the finest horse, and they shine in the sun like pearls on a magister’s throat.”
“But they’re not real mama, they can’t be.” Varania is looking up at their mother with fire reflected in her wide eyes.
“But they are love. They live with the Dalish, and they help to pull their wagons through the wilds.”
“Like slaves?” He feels the bitterness of the word, even then.
“No sweet one, our people and the halla live together, and they never force the halla to do anything they don’t wish. They’re free.”
“They most be so soft.” His sister is missing her two front teeth, and her dreamy smile has a whistling gap. He feels sleep settling heavy onto his shoulders, and when he closes his eyes he sees the halla running on the wind.
He shakes his head to find Merrill looking up at him in concern. He bites his lip and looks away, fighting away tears he didn’t know he still had.
“It’s alright, I know it must be a lot.” The kindness in her eyes is too much for him, and he’s about to turn away when she speaks again. “You can touch one, if you want.”
And to his own surprise he lets Merrill take hold of his arm, lets her lead him to the halla. The creatures watch him with wide intelligent eyes, and he almost runs right then. But Merrill leads him forward until he’s right there, staring into the eyes of a story from his childhood. Something catches in his throat as he lifts his hand slowly and brushes his fingertips across the creature’s nose.
When he turns back to Merrill there are tears on his cheeks, shining in the new dawn sun.
Hope you like it @araglas1989