The Witch

I was a Dalish Elf. The black sheep of my Clan, but because I was the Keeper's daughter, respect was given, but not friendship. Merrill was the First of the clan, and she was also the first to try and befriend me. I had asked her why she had wanted to be friends, if it was to get on my Mother's good side. She had told me no. I seemed lonely to her, and she knew how that felt. So, our friendship began. When Blood Magic, became an interest to her. I stayed. I defended her, then I was cast out of the clan, by my own mother.

I did not know where to go. Merrill had been my only friend. I stumbled into the Korcari Wilds. I had been injured by an enraged bear, that turned out to be the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. "I am sorry, I lost myself for a moment. Changing into a new form can be disorienting. I have patched up the wounds I caused you. You will be fine in a week, and can return to your clan. Until then, you may stay here." She says.

"I have no clan, I have been banished from them." I admit. "Then stay here if you wish. I must return to Mother. Rest." She says. "Will I see you again?" I ask my heart aching. "If that is my wish, you will. Otherwise, no." she says and changes back into a bear as soon as she is out of the hut. I do not do much that day, but in the morning, I move around the Hut gingerly looking for food. I see that it is a well- stocked place. I don't know why, but I make enough food for two, hoping the witch would return. I didn't even know her name.

It was a surprise when a bird flew into the kitchen and the Witch's form replaces it. She checks over me briefly and changes my bandages, then sits down at the table with me. I give her a plate of food and a cup of wine. We barely speak, both content with the quiet. "Tis a most delicious meal. It is nice to not be the one cooking for once." She says. "Thank you. What is your name?" I ask. "Morrigan." She replies. "Thank you Morrigan for patching me up and letting me stay for now." I said. "Well, I was the one who injured you, it was the least I could do. Any idea of what to do when you are better?" she asks.

"Not yet." I said. "What about other Dalish Clans?" she asks. I shake my head. "Once banished from a clan, any others are less inclined to take you in. But with the reason I was banished, no clan will take me." I tell her. "Why?" she asks. "Because, I don't hate Blood Magic and was supportive of a friend whom got into it." I said. "Then what of your blood mage friend, would she not be banished as well?" she asks. "No. She is the First to the Keeper. And the Keeper believes she can turn her from that path." I said.

"I am sorry. That doesn't seem fair." She says. "It is the way of the People." I said. "I have told you my name, what is yours?" she asks. "Elgara." I reply. "I thank you for the meal Elgara, but I must leave again. Perhaps later I shall return." She says. I nod and wave her off. It was late when she returned and I had once again made something for two, even if there was only me. This time a bath. Morrigan walked in, smiled at both the bath and me gratefully. I looked away as she undressed and joined me.

There was an arrow graze marking on her shoulder. She saw me looking at it. "A hunter mistook me for a wolf, as I was in wolf form." She said. I get up and head to a table and get the poultices and bandages I had put aside for me. I sit behind her and cleanse her wound adding the poultice and bandages once cleaned. We had been talking as I treated her. She was upset with her Mother. She had broken a golden mirror she had stolen from a noble. "Maybe Mother has a point. It is foolish to care about any objects." She says sighing, she is weary and retires for the evening.

I tried to sleep, but the couch was not comfortable enough to do so. "Elgara." I heard her voice and tense. "There is plenty of room on the bed, and your constant shifting is making it hard to sleep." I gulp and go in her room. She lifts the covers, hesitantly I crawl in. "I do not bite you know. Now sleep." She says and feeling her warmth next to me smelling her scent, listening to her steady breathing, lulls me to sleep.

She is gone again in the morning when I wake up, breakfast waiting on the table for me. I yawn and stretch and sit down. The whole week I have been here, has had her coming every dinner and bath. Sometimes, she stays and we have breakfast together. Every day, I begin to love her more. On the last night, she broaches the subject of my plans again. "May I stay here? Live here?" I ask. "As you wish, I do not mind." She says. Days turn to weeks and my feelings grow to full blown love. I do not ask her to stay, or if we could be more. She seems to prefer it, and even like it.

"Elgara?" she asks. "Out back." I reply. She comes around the corner. "The bath is nearly ready, I have set out some food for you on the table. How was your day?" I ask. "Frustrating, and more crowded than I had ever wished." She says walking back in to the hut. "It's true then. An army is gathering at Ostagar?" I ask. "Yes. It looks as though Mother was right. We may very well be on the brink of a blight." She says. I pale and tense slightly. She reaches out to me and surprises me with an embrace. "Please don't worry so. I am sure we are safe enough here. If not, I will protect you." She says. I nod into her shoulder. Our embrace ends far too quickly for my liking. Sighing, I leave the kitchen and check the bath it was ready.

"The bath is ready Morrigan." I tell her and begin removing my clothes. Her hands stop me, she starts where I left off. My throat is dry. "Morrigan…what are you…" her mouth hushes mine as she captures my lips. She dominates my mouth and body; the bath is long forgotten as clothes are ripped, torn and scattered everywhere. Her every touch has me gasping and moaning, my body burning up with desire until it is finally quenched as I come undone.

"What was that?" I asked timidly. "Tis quite simple, I wanted you, you wanted me. I was giving us what we wanted." She says. "Morrigan, I want to touch you too." She opens her arms. "Then do so." She says. It takes me longer to get her off. When we are done again, her breathing is slow and steady. "I'm sorry Morrigan. I had never done this before. I do not know if I did well." I said nervously. "Hush Elgara, you are an amazingly proficient of a lover. No one has ever made me scream before. Sleep now." She says. I wanted to ask her if she would be here in the morning, but I didn't. I did as she said and slept.

And as expected, she was not there. Nor did she come for any meals or baths. She seemingly disappeared. Still for the next week, I continued making everything for two, and on the last day there was a knock in my door. Morrigan never knocked, I got a dagger in my hand and opened it to an old woman, with white hair and a horned hat on her head. "So, you are what my Morrigan has been hiding from me. I am Flemeth, and Morrigan's mother." She says. "If you are looking for Morrigan, she isn't here. Nor has she been here this week." I said. "I know, I sent her away." She pushes her way in and takes in the hut and the two plates of food, sitting, she begins to eat Morrigan's plate.

"What do you mean, you sent her away?" I asked sitting down as well. "I sent her to accompany what remains of Ferelden's Grey Wardens." She says. "Why?" I ask. "Because they will need her help. She won't be back for a long time." She says. And my heart begins to break. "I know that look, I know it well. Your heart breaks as we speak. What did you think, that after your tryst, she would stay with you? Did you think she would settle down with you? My Morrigan is not the type. You should leave Elgara, forge your own path. Move on from her, let her go." She says and disappears. With my heart breaking ever more. I pack up what I need and that same night, I leave this place that had become home. My only choice but to become a nomad all over again.