"Kirkwall?! Who in that hole has the power to restore an Eluvian?" Morrigan was more than simply surprised. She seemed almost offended, especially after Aedan told her than an dalish mage had done it. Kieran looked puzzled. Even in his jopurneys outside with Aedan, he had never met an elf or a dwarf. "Can I see them?" He asked. "No." said Morrigan, to which he lowered his head in disappointment and looked back at the book he was studying. "What could a dalish elf possibly want with an Eluvian?" Aedan repeated to her Merril's story, her journey to repair the fabled mirror and her dreams of preserving the past, to which Morrigan scoffled. "Of course the other Dalish would think the Eluvian dangerous." She said. "'Tis good to see at least one of them has some brain." Aedan smiled. At this point Morrigan probably expected an elven version of herself, but would soon be surprised. He was more interest in Hawke. He has gone only a few times to the village recently, but everytime people were talking of one subject. Kirkwall. It began some years ago when Aedan heard of the Qunari attack in Kirkwall and the Arishok's defeat by Hawke. The topic reminded him of Sten, and Aedan found himself wondering what the big guy would think of that. He remembered his brief journey to Seheron after the blight and the awkwardness he felt in that place. Had Sten not spoke out for him, there might have been people trying to convert him.
With time passing, other stories came from the City of Chains. Stories of conflict between mages and templars became more and more occuring, prompting even Aedan to take a closer look into the matter. Being married to an apostate tend to obviously tips one's opinion one side, but even without their relationship, Morrigan was already a powerful and strong woman. He remembered Wynne, the old and gentle lady for whom he held extensive respect and fondness, Velanna, the hot-headed elf who liked green and even Anders, the rebelious fugitive who would sooner make jokes than actual spells. They were people, just like him, but instead of a sword they used fire or lightning. A truly skilled warrior was just as dangerous as any mage, so why would they need to be watched while he wouldnt? Even with the fear of demons, helping a mage would be more benefitial than scaring one into submission. Not to say he had not seen the terrors of blood mages and abominations, but still, a psycothic 'normal' man could do as much damage as one of the former, given the chance. Mages deserved to be free, and that was it.
The next time Aedan went through the Eluvians to reach Kirkwall, Hawke invited him to the Hanged Man, where he wanted to discuss something. Aedan went, although he only took his sword this time, leaving his shield back with Kieran to play. When they arrived at the tarvern, it was a lot more populated than he expected. "Mages." Said Hawke. "The templars attacked the circle and attempted to kill everyone, even the innocents." Hawke explained to him what happened over a few drinks, with Varric repeatedly that he could tell it better. Aedan was about to start asking questions when he heard a familiar voice. "Commander?" Aedan turned to find his old companion Anders. "Anders?!" Aedan quickly got back on hist feet, stepping foward and hugging the old friend. This simple act seemed to piss off many present, and Aedan sees that even Hawke seems a bit annoyed by it. Anders says that he will explain later, but that it's good to be treated like that again. After he leaves to his room, Aedan thinks about how different he is. Instead of the rebelious jester, he seems like a broken man. Even his smile seemed weak. What had they done to him?
He got his answer. This time, it wasn't only Hawke talking to him. Almost everyone on the room seemed to have an opinion on the matter. Everyone except Varric. He seemed to only say "Shit is crazy." and "Bianca." After Hawke stepped in to prevent something more than a debate, Aedan spoke off. "Regardless of opinion, I think everyone here agrees that the mages need to leave, right?" Everyone agreed. "And your plan is to use the Eluvians? How did you know they were portals?" Aedan asked. "We didn't." Answered Hawke. "But now that we know that, we might as well use it. Go through a mirror, appear on the other side of the narrow sea. Now I just need a big hat." Somehow, Aedan knew it wasn't going to be that easy. "It's a plan then. Now the hard part." Aedan voice almost failed him. "What could be harder than moving dozens of mages through streets filled with templars?" Asked Varric, in a doubting voice. Aedan tried to sound as complacing as he could. "Tell Morrigan."