Morrigan was never a sociable person, or at least that was the label she received by most. Of course, if you prefer the company of reasonable persons to fools, you'd be called that by the fools, and of course that the fools are way more numerous.

Meaning it was best to keep herself away.

It was exactly what she was doing that night, going to Skyhold's gardens, far away from the rambunctious and crowded main hall.

Word of the Inquisitor's stunning success had spread fast and the festivities were organized at a similar speed. The Chief Diplomat Josephine's rapid response impressed her, even though it was hardly a surprise, nobility was always quick to hold balls and parties in some champion's name, especially if that champion happened to save the world.

Corypheus was no more, slain by the hands of the mighty Lord John Trevelyan himself, the Herald of Andraste, Guardian of the Templar Order, Defender of the Orlesian Grey Wardens Branch, Savior of Empress Celene and Leader of the Fabled Inquisition.

Those were merely some of the many accolades the young man received after his adventures.

He was all that, true, but there was a side of him that the tales did no justice, especially his stubbornness.

The frustration of watching a simple-minded man drink from the Well of Sorrows still disturbed her, although the consequences of that action proved to be dire enough for her to be thankful for being denied that.

The man could easily be considered bothersome, but the months spent as the Liaison to the Inquisition showed her a great deal of his qualities.

"It was nice knowing him." She spoke to herself just as she arrived at her destination. The noise coming from the party instantly faded away, replaced by the nighty song of the mountain, the way she liked it.

After a few moments enjoying the stillness of the garden, the apostate resumed her walking, this time heading to her chambers.

The apostate decided to make use of the distractions of that night to leave without a sound. She was no longer useful for anything, and there was no need to stay there, surrounded by sharks and the intrigues that were about to fall over that gilded fortress with the success.

She would gather her belongings, which were not many anyway, and would start her long trip down the Frostbacks. Hopefully, no one would notice her absence, not that anyone there cared for her.

The witch of the wilds shuddered with the thought of braving the cold during the night. However, it was better that way, waiting for the morning could cause a fuss.

She was beginning to ponder where she would be going next when something drew her attention.

A seated form on a bench near the center of the yard, it was too dark to see exactly who was. However, as she approached it, the mage finally identified some familiar features, especially a crimson armor reflecting the moonlight.

John was looking up, gazing at the starry sky, apparently deep in thoughts. He hadn't noticed her yet, and she wondered if it should stay like that.

'I guess I own him that much.' She concluded while sighing, slightly bitter with her foiled plan.

"Half of Thedas make drunken toasts to your victory, and yet you are not present to hear them?" Morrigan started, pacing slowly towards him. "Do you tire so quickly of their congratulations, Inquisitor? ´Tis most fickle, after all your efforts on their behalf." She could not help but use a teasing tone whenever talking with him, why she was not sure.

The Free Marcher snorted, keeping his eyes up but surely recognizing her voice, several months were enough for that. "Everyone suddenly wants to talk to me. You, at least, I'm glad to see." The last part he spoke looking directly at her.

She chuckled with his response, eyeing the ground for a moment, before taking a seat next to him. "By all means, you must get used to this. Your opinion will most likely be sought out for every matter around the world coming from everywhere."

"Yes. Still, I could use a small break. I would rather go to my room, but the crowd at the main hall makes that impossible, so here I am. However, I wasn't expecting anyone here." He explained, raising a single eyebrow.

"Well, I might say the same." She replied.

The young man nodded, resuming his star looking, his armor creaking with every motion. "I see."

The shapeshifter took the chance to inquire something that was bothering her. "May I ask why you're still in your armor? 'Tis quite odd."

He seemed surprised, but not with the question, he commenced checking his body, feeling the metallic plates. Afterwards, some laughter, as he stated. "I did not even know I was wearing it."

The puzzled expression that she flashed his way dismissed any need for words as he sighed, beaten.

"I guess I grew too fond of it, it feels weird without it. You get so used to fighting that when there is peace things do not feel right." Trevelyan reasoned, rather sadly.

They kept a silence for a while, allowing his words to sink in, before the apostate finally complemented, turning her attention to him. "I would not worry too much with that, mankind blunders through the world, the unknown lurks around the corner. This peace you fought so much to achieve will be short-lived, and soon you'll have to swing that greatsword again."

Maybe her words were too harsh, but the truth in them couldn't be denied. She knew the world well enough to know better. She had smelled it as a wolf, listened as a cat, prowled shadows that no one ever dreamed existed. Yes, she knew it well, it was exactly the reason why she was leaving.

John was perplexed with her cold speech, but his expression showed that he was aware of that truth. "You're right." He spoke, clearly understanding the reasons she mentioned. "But I like to believe that it can be maintained, this peace, just wish I'm able to do that."

He smirked after finishing, unsure if he believed on his own words. "Here I am, hoping to keep peace, when a few moments ago, I was complaining about it feeling weird."

The Inquisitor then facepalmed while exhaling deeply.

'You are a quite interesting person.' This was the thought that crossed her mind as Morrigan wondered about his words. That man was getting her curiosity.

"Anyway." He interrupted her pondering. "You're leaving." It was not even a question. Her eyes widened with it as she tried to remember showing or saying anything.

The warrior smiled. "Now I'm sure of it."

"I don't like being fooled into little games of words, Inquisitor." She retorted sharply, after realizing his gamble and the way she fell for it.

He immediately rose his arms, palms forward, trying to shield himself from any harm coming his way.

"I'm sorry." He apologized. "I've learned a few tricks with the Orlesian court."

"You are a fast learner then." The witch added, still angry and making him laugh.

Now John was starting to annoy her, his laughter was about to be the last straw when suddenly he spoke once more, this time awfully serious. "You can stay here if you want to."

The offer was unexpected, to say the least, the expression on her face obviously showing her bewilderment. "There is no more use for me, besides, I would like to avoid being encountered by mother, and here I'm basically on a showcase." She explained, displaying hints of affliction.

"That is a problem best dealt with help." He reasoned and she struggled with the urge to mock him.

"I don't need your help, nor anyone's. I'm not a princess in distress." There was venom in her words, she never liked being treated like a mere woman needing aid and her displeasure even allowed her to forget an important detail, it was not as if he could do anything. The Inquisitor was forever bound to Mythal, to Flemeth. She would be safer away from him.

Morrigan was about to comment on the matter when she perceived the curious look he was giving her.

"I never said that you needed anything." He spoke. "You definitely can take care of yourself. All I'm offering is when the time comes, if the time comes, I'll gladly lend you my sword, just as you've lent me your staff."

That brought a smile to her face, as they maintained eye contact for more time than they should.

"Aren't you forgetting something, my lord Inquisitor?" The apostate questioned, poking him lightly on his sides, not that he could actually feel anything, not with his armor.

He easily got the message, releasing a couple of awkward chuckles while scratching the back of his head. "Yeah, I was kind of hoping you could also figure something to get me out of this whole Mythal mess."

"Hum." She murmured, contemplating the offer. "So, do you want me to remain as a Liaison?"

"Actually, another position just opened up. My previous apostate kind of ran away." Trevelyan explained.

"The elf really disappeared then." She concluded, earning a nod from him.

Suddenly, it dawned on her, what he was implying. "This means you are offering me a place on your inner circle, alongside you?"

Another nod, this one accompanied by a warm smile.

Morrigan was having a hard time in accepting how forthcoming that warrior was being with her and he likely noticed it, because he quickly added. "I've saw you in action, back at that Temple, you are really skilled. It impressed me, and it goes without mentioning that your aid in navigating through the Arbor Wilds was key to our victory."

He allowed some moments of silence, hoping that his arguments would help her make a decision.

"What do you say?" Trevelyan inquired, and she could easily identify some eagerness coming from him.

"Is it me, or the most powerful man in Thedas happens to really desire my presence in his cold castle?" She was definitely enjoying where that conversation was going, she wanted to hear him say he wanted her there and the crafty mage would not stop at nothing until getting what she wanted.

But apparently, he had other plans, none including giving her the satisfaction she was expecting, at least not easily. "You ask an awful lot of questions." John stated evasively.

She smirked. 'I know how to play games as well, your worship.'

"Well, if I ask them is because I want answers." The witch retorted.

The young man pinched the bridge of his nose. "Is this really necessary?"

"Have I not been clear enough?" Her question making him slump his shoulders in defeat.

He sighed, before saying in a playful tone. "Lady Morrigan, I want you to be my new companion."

"And I accept your most kind offer." She replied instantly, proudly crossing her arms.

There was a great amount of satisfaction with that small exchange of words. It was rather fun to deal with him.

Pleasures apart, she still needed to make it clear that her presence there would not be welcomed by most and it could cause complications. He had her respect, it was enough for her to worry about any outcome that could affect him. "There will be some wagging tongues with this and they can prove too much, even for you, Inquisitor. Are you sure of this?" She explained sternly.

"I travel with a Grey Warden pretender, a mercenary Tal-Vashoth, a crazy friend of Red Jenny, a witty mage from Tevinter, a Spirit of Compassion turned more human, and so it goes." John reasoned amidst some laughs. "Do you honestly think I care for wagging tongues?"

Yes, that man was definitely getting her interest.

"Then you shall be seeing a great deal more of me, my lord." The witch of the wilds said and both smiled as he finally stood up, ready to leave.

"Very well, I guess it's time to actually hear some of those toast." He explained while fixing his armor. "See you in the morning, my lady."

She acknowledged his farewell with a small bow and watched as he turned towards the garden's exit.

After he was out of her sight and she was completely alone, Morrigan began to wonder about that unexpected turn of events. A decent side of her was regretting her new commitment to the Inquisition, another one saw it as a powerful tool that she could use for her benefit.

Yet, deep inside, a small portion of her mind was excited with the prospect of dealing with the Herald.

Slightly conflicted with herself, she decided to head to her room and sleep, truth be told, the witch was also tired. There would be enough time to worry about that later.


A/N: Yeah, I blame Bioware with this obsession of mine with non-romanceable characters in Inquisition. Leliana is awesome, but Morrigan is great too, so what happens when you can't romance a character? You write a fiction about it! This one won't be as long as The Horse Lord and the Nightingale since it is set after the main gameplay, and I really hope I'll be able to keep a steady rythm with both. Well, in this tale, the Inquisitor didn't romaced anyone and Morrigan doesn't have her child (Default World State), well that leaves some doors open, right? Anyway, hope you guys enjoy this, and let me apologize in advance because I will probably not post any new chapter for at least a month, but that doesn't mean I will abandon it! Please review and let me know what you think!