Lavellan had her first litter younger than was probably wise. In her defense, Solas is very attractive and she loves him a lot. The pair knew that parenting wouldn't be easy, and their firstborn, Numin, does not prove them wrong.
Numin comes into the world not just crying, but howling. This is all well and good for a wolf pup; getting an early start and all that. The problem is is that Numin doesn't stop. For her first few weeks of life Numin cries continuously save for when sleeping and nursing. Her parents despair at this. What are they doing wrong? Numin's sister, U'venise, is a sweet, cuddly little thing while Numin is a screaming furball full of rage. It just doesn't make sense!
As an older pup Numin is little better. She's better at communicating what she needs or what upsets her, except now instead of screaming her lungs out she whines. About everything. Even the smallest discomfort is a reason to complain. "U'venise pushed me!" "I'm not leaving the den, the sun's to bright!" "But I don't like beaver!" And on and on it goes.
As an adolescent, Numin lives up to every standard there's ever been for a moody teenager. Her whining and complaining hadn't gotten any better - in fact it probably got worse. She was snappish, temperamental, and had no problems with upsetting others just to be petty. Numin was turning into a nasty piece of work and her parents knew that it was only get worse if they didn't do something about it. Neither positive reinforcement nor sterner discipline had worked and they find themselves at the end of their rope. But one day when visiting Herbert the Herbalist Lavellan got an idea.
Herbert is a kind, patient old bear who has experience dealing with animals of all sorts. Maybe some of his relaxed attitude could rub off on Numin? It was worth a shot. After a lengthy conversation with Herbert, Lavellan and Solas brought their eldest daughter to meet the old healer and tell her in no uncertain terms that she was now an apprentice herbalist. Numin was outraged by this. Why did she have to spend her precious time with some smelly old bear? She screamed at her parents to take her home, that she refused to learn anything from this weirdo! When they don't budge she regresses back to her classic crocodile tears but that doesn't sway them either. She yells and cries herself hoarse, unbelieving that her parents, who have always given into her before, are finally putting their foot down. Numin collapsed from exhaustion, eyes puffy and throat sore. Lavellan and Solas tell her to be good for her new teacher, that they love her, and then bid her goodbye. Sprawled out under the huge gnarled tree, she looks a mess. Herbert shakes his head, but when he looks down at her his smile is kind.
"Seems you've got a lot to learn, pup. Best get started then, hmm?"
**********
Under Herbert's guidance Numin finally starts to settle down. She's still a rather dour individual but the ruthless malice of her youth is gone. Herbalism gives her something to focus on other than anger and resentment; foraging for the right ingredients takes patience and a sharp nose, while actually preparing her mixtures is a delicate art. Her bedside manner could be improved, but no one could accuse her of incompetence. The work brings her contentment and dare she say it, joy. Numin never saw herself as someone who could be helpful, useful, and now she fills one of the most vital roles in the pack. She is important, she is recognized, and she realizes now, looking back, that that was all she ever really wanted.
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Herbalist 
Herbalist