Brooding, Morrigan stared into the flames of her fire, the grimoire at her side forgotten for the moment. She knew that Flemeth had sent her with the Grey Wardens in order to somehow capture the essence of the archdemon, but she had wondered why Flemeth would allow her an opportunity to gain such power. Flemeth had never been so forthcoming about magic before. Well, now she knew. She glanced down at the grimoire briefly then quickly returned to her contemplation of the fire. She would never admit it to anyone, but she was almost afraid to keep reading that grimoire. Who knew what other nasty surprises Flemeth had in store for her.

She grimaced, interrupted from her thoughts by the distant braying of that fool Alistair. He was announcing rather loudly that he was off for more firewood. She shuddered at the thought of having to lay with that fool. She had hoped that the grimoire would have revealed a less….distasteful….method of receiving the archdemon's essence. She watched him walk off into the woods clad only a thin shirt and breeches. She tried to think about how well he looked, how powerful his muscles were under those clothes. She groaned, if only he wasn't Alistair! She knew she could seduce men, she had done so numerous times in the Wilds. She could be charming, seductive, whatever those men desired as long as it got her what she wanted. But with Alistair….she couldn't help but be snide and rude and….he was just such an infuriating man. And an insufferable fool Templar. He could barely look at her let alone lay with her! Why couldn't Elissa have been a man?

If Elissa had been a man this would have been so much easier for Morrigan. Surprisingly enough, most of all to Morrigan, she liked Elissa. Somehow Elissa had found a way under the defenses Morrigan had erected around herself and found the lonely little girl hidden inside and befriended her. If Elissa was a man Morrigan might even have looked forward to the ritual. She sighed. She was stuck with Alistair.

She glanced at the other campfire again. Maybe the more she looked at Alistair the less…repulsive…he would seem. She couldn't see him, or hear him. Fool Templar no doubt cut a tree down and had it fall on top of him. Her searching eyes noticed that Elissa seemed to be missing from the fire as well. How long ago did Alistair leave for firewood? Surely even an incompetent fool like himself would have collected enough firewood to last a week by now. Interesting she mused. She slipped into the shadows beside her tent and altered herself into bird form.

She caught sight of them in a small clearing some distance from the camp and alit on a branch out of sight. Well, something had fallen on top of Alistair, just not a tree. She had known Elissa and Alistair were close, perplexed as she was at how the woman could stand him, but not this close! And judging from how well they fit together, how well they moved together, this was not the first time either! How long had this been going on? Were those scratches down his back? Morrigan never would have imagined Alistair being able to inspire such passion in a toadstool, let alone a woman!! Deep in thought Morrigan returned to her own fire.

It was some time before either of them returned to their camp. Alistair, with his face so smug, returned first. Elissa snuck in from the opposite side of the camp a few minutes later. If Morrigan hadn't been watching for her, she would have sworn that tricky little rogue had been there the whole time. Perhaps she could use this relationship to her advantage. If Morrigan could use Elissa to get to her Alistair, then she need not approach him at all. She stirred uncomfortable at the look on Elissa's face as she stared at Alistair. She tried to ignore the pang that told her she would be betraying her only friend in the world. Love was such a foolish emotion, so easily manipulated. She would be a fool not to do so, right?