Disclaimer: Of course I don't own Dragon Age or its characters, they are property of Bioware.


Things That Go Bump In the Night

Of all the things Elissa had been preparing herself to face in the upcoming hours, this was certainly not one of them.

It had only been moments ago that Morrigan had quietly summoned her into her sleeping quarters. The usually collected and reserved woman had a hint of nervousness upon her, causing Elissa to fidget with anticipation and what was to be discussed. Sensing the other woman's discomfort, Morrigan motioned her towards the soothing warmth of the fireplace, hoping to put both of them at ease.

"Morrigan…" Elissa began.

Morrigan's eyes flickered in the firelight, holding her gaze on her leader, friend, and what had come to feel like a sister. For her, it wasn't the deed that sickened her, but more so the pain she knew Elissa would be feeling, no matter how much she feigned indifference. She briefly wondered if she should forget about the ritual, but quickly put down the thought. No. A few hurt feelings are not worth digging graves for.

"I am glad you have come. I realize you probably have much to do before tomorrow comes, but it is precisely the outcome of tomorrow which I have asked to talk about." said Morrigan.

"Nobody will blame you if you want to leave now. If I weren't a Grey Warden myself I probably would not want to find myself anywhere near the battlefield tomorrow."

Morrigan shook her head.

"No, I plan to be present for the battle. I do not think to abandon you, Elissa."

A pause.

"I know the price that comes with killing the Archdemon. I know a life must be paid, one of your lives. Suppose Riordan does not succeed? Suppose it is you and Alistair tomorrow faced with Archdemon. What then?"

Elissa shifted her gaze to the carpet.

"Then we will do what needs to be done." She said quietly.

"But what if there were another way? A way that guarantees both of your lives."

Elissa's head snapped up at that. She closed the spaced between her and Morrigan and clamped her hands on the woman's bare shoulders, her eyes locking onto her intently.

"Morrigan. You must tell me right now what this is about. If you know some other way, if there is some possibility that we can survive…"

"There is. It is a form of old magic, a very old kind. But it comes at a personal price."

"Anything."

Morrigan took a breath. "A child must be conceived with a Grey Warden. In this way, when the Archdemon dies its essence will seek the child who is fresh and full of potential, the perfect host for the soul of an Old God. The child, being just conceived, will be able to support this without dying in the process."

Elissa frowned. "But Morrigan, Alistair cannot impregnate me because of the taint. Or if we could have a child, it would be with much difficulty. I don't see how this can work."

And that was when Elissa noticed Morrigan's face. The guilty look, the hint of sadness in her eyes. The pain she felt for what she had to ask of her.

"Oh…"

"Elissa. I would not ask this of you if it were not absolutely a last resort. I do not wish to hurt you like this. But this is a guarantee of life. It is way for you and Alistair to be together without death."

There was no time for tears or for consideration. Elissa accepted the offer and left to find Alistair, fighting the lump that was rising in her throat and the pit in her stomach that was dragging her heart down.

-

It was Zevran who walked in on her, crumpled on the floor, a bottle of Eamon's best wine emptied next to her. Her blood red hair was undone from its usual braided buns, her fair skin blotchy, her hazel eyes red and swollen.

She had briskly walked out from Morrigan and Alistair's congregation. She couldn't stand to be there any longer. While she was part hopeful for this ritual to work, she was more so enraged and broken-hearted at the thought of Alistair and Morrigan conceiving a child together. It was something she could probably never give him and here was another woman so easily making it happen. She proceeded to the furthest reach of the estate. This happened to be near the wine cellar where she had plundered Eamon's stores and uncorked many expensive bottles carelessly as she drowned the fury of emotion inside her. It was her luck that no one was in that area at the time because surely they'd have been rushing to her wailing and the sound of glass breaking against the wall.

She had fallen on her knees and raked her nails through her hair, ripping out a handful of strands in agony, cursing the Maker with profanity that would make a sailor wince.

Why? Why can't something just be MINE for once? Why does everything have to be taken away? My family was taken by a selfish bastard, my home was burned down by his men, my body was taken by the taint. The one thing I tried to hold on to, the one thing that mattered to me anymore…why?!

She had lain on the cold stone and cried like a child until Zevran opened the door.

He had picked her up and carried her to her room, laid her on the bed, and sat there offering silent comfort. Elissa clung to him, gradually feeling calmer.

Zevran.

Companion, friend, lover.

He was always there when she needed him, and though their midnight meetings were short-lived and purely on necessity, Elissa still held a spot for him in her heart. His concern for her touched her when she most needed it.

"Zev…"

"My dear?"

"Thank you."

He squeezed her hand, smiling his signature coy smile.

Elissa buried her face in the pillow.

"How…what should I say to him? I don't even know…Maker…"

Zevran stood then, crossing to the door. He secured the latch and turned back to Elissa.

"You're in no shape to face anyone tonight. It hurts me so to see such loveliness be wasted on-"

"Zev."

Zevran smiled and shrugged his shoulders. It was in his nature, of course.

"Elissa, dear. Do not trouble your pretty head further. Let me deal with any disturbances tonight. You need to catch what sleep you can."

She let out a shaky sigh and nodded absentmindedly. Yes, he's right of course. Tomorrow is bigger than this, than me, than us. I can't throw it all away over a broken heart.

She fell into an uneasy sleep, dreams plagued with whispers in the dark, dragons commanding the skies, and a child with Morrigan's piercing eyes.

A/N: I haven't written a story in quite some time, mostly I have been the silent observer here on . But I guess there is a time to pick up the pen (or in this case to tap the keyboard) and begin again. I hope this chapter wasn't too angsty or sappy, but it's necessary to make it clear how Elissa felt that night of the dark ritual in order for the rest of the story to unfold properly. Reviews please!