A/N This in my opinion was originally one of my worst chapters, so I decided that this would be the first chapter I'd rewrite. I am rewriting all unbeta'd chapters, this was brought on by a... gentle push by my beta Eve Hawke ;) Love you woman. I'd love to hear your opinions, so leave me a review.

Love always ~ Whatcomestomind


Morrigan sauntered behind Aedan and Alistair, picking up small portions of their conversation about Grey Wardens. She rolled her eyes; such pointless ramblings. Did they not notice the sun setting in the sky? She sighed heavily, hoping to interrupt their conversation.

Their ramblings continued, however. Morrigan scowled. How had she ever ended up in the company of such dolts? "Are the both of you completely oblivious to the vanishing sun? Or are you truly foolish enough to chance our steps in the darkness?" Morrigan pinned them with a look, her sultry eyes flashing with barely contained impatience.

Aedan shared an annoyed glance with Alistair, one of his eyebrows rising in question. Morrigan's scowl deepened. Now he dared to mock her. If the day continued in this vein, she'd happily murder one of them.

"Though you interrupted a very important discussion, I do agree that we should set up camp." Aedan let slip his pack, rolling his shoulders once the weight fell away. Alistair looked to the darkening sky, observing the waning light for himself before he also shrugged out of his pack.

Alistair fumbled with flint and steel, trying and failing to coax an errant spark into the damp wood he'd collected. He grew more frustrated as the moments passed, and Morrigan was torn - start the fire and save him the trouble, or savor his deliciously frustrated mood awhile longer?

The flint slipped through his clumsy fingers, and he cursed under his breath. They would all freeze to death before a flame was lit if the fool continued as he was. A lazy motion of her hands set the wood alight, a sigh escaping her lips. Alistair startled back as the flames flicked upward, and Morrigan gave a satisfied smirk.

"Well done, you two," Aedan jeered, coming into their small encampment with a rabbit slung over his shoulder and Hohaku at his heels. "Not only are you both alive and unharmed, but you also got a fire started!" He dumped the rabbit on the ground. "Let's see if you can get this prepared and cooked, too!" He rubbed his hands together, a stupid smile on his face. He obviously did not realise how close he was coming to a slap.

"Do not patronise me, warden." Morrigan retorted sharply, "I started the fire, you caught the rabbit. 'Twould only be fair that Alistair cook." Morrigan's head turned slowly to look at Alistair.

"Hey!" he whined, crossing his arms across his chest, and flicking his gaze between Morrigan and Aedan. The fool sighed after a moment, "Fine, I'll cook, but don't complain about how horrible it will taste."

Aedan laughed loudly, "I don't even care if it's practically charcoal,I'm starving!" He groaned, nursing his stomach with his arms.

Aedan's constant flirtation was driving Morrigan half mad. He started off the day acting like nothing but an insufferable jerk, but something had changed his tune.

"Good night, fair lady." Aedan bowed slightly, sweeping Morrigan's left hand up in his and softly brushing his lips against her knuckles.

Morrigan's lip curled, and she rolled her eyes, "Why all the touching? I do not understand it."

Aedan chuckled, letting Morrigan's hand fall to her side. "I am simply treating a beautiful woman as I should. I am a nobleman." His words held a hidden objective, as though he expected them to make Morrigan swoon.

Morrigan smirked, stepping closer to him, her hands tangling in his hair, "Is this an appropriate reaction, Ser Aedan?" she purred, lips hovering mere millimeters from his. Aedan swallowed slowly, his fingers drifting to the bare skin at her hips.

Her actions were meant to put him on edge, to call his bluff. But no such thing occurred, he did not shy away, or laugh it off. His blue eyes looked into hers, one side of his mouth edging upward.

"Actually, no," His eyes flicked closed, "I'd prefer you closer," With those words he pressed her against him, head turning as he leaned in to steal her lips in a kiss.

Alistair cleared his throat just as their lips were about to meet, "Ahh, I-I'd hate to interrupt," Morrigan and Aedan both threw him a venomous look, "Darkspawn. Coming. Now!" The ex-Templar brandished his sword, his shield already in place, and made his way to the edge of the tree line surrounding the small clearing they were camped in.

Aedan groaned in annoyance, breaking away from Morrigan as he slid his shield onto his forearm, "We'll finish this later," he said simply, a cocky grin on his face, before he drew his sword and met Alistair at the tree line. Hohaku's hackles rose as he followed his master, a deep growl tearing from his barreled chest.

How had she gone from extremely irritated with Aedan, to almost kissing him? Her actions were meant to tease him, keep him wanting her; 'twasn't supposed to have ended that way! Morrigan shook her head, clearing the thoughts from her mind; they were but a burden during a fight.

Morrigan felt the magic around herself, drawing it inward and out to her palms, flames dancing along her fingertips. A smirk graced her lips... this would be fun.

Soon the high soprano call of a Shriek pierced the air; with a flash of claws it was in front of Alistair and he lashed forward with his shield, startling it and knocking it back a few paces. The firelight caught on the Templar's sword as he battled the Shriek, not allowing the fast-paced darkspawn to get the upper hand. 'Twas quite an impressive sight, she had to admit.

Five Genlocks followed behind the Shriek, their movements slower and more clumsy. Hohaku lunged at one, tearing into its throat. Aedan drew the attention of two, their feeble strikes nothing in comparison to Aedan's skill.

The two remaining Genlocks were hers. Morrigan let the fire in her palms grow before she directed its heat toward the approaching creatures. The fire consumed them instantly, the smell of their rotting, burning flesh twisted Morrigan's stomach. She hated the foul beasts!

The 'battle' ended with Alistair driving his sword through the Shriek. Aedan turned to face Alistair, gripping the Templar's hand and nodding his approval.

"Well then," Aedan began, "That was exciting." He grinned widely as he scratched the crevice behind Hohaku's ear. Hohaku barked his happiness, butting against Aedan's leg.

"I don't sense any more darkspawn, we should be safe here for the night." Alistair said, moving back toward the warmth of the campfire, Aedan followed, his bloodied sword held loosely by his side.

"We will have to be extra attentive whilst we are on watch, however." Aedan added, grabbing a cloth to clean the gore from his sword before sliding it back into its sheath.

"I will take first watch. Worry not, Alistair, I will not turn into an abomination as you sleep." Morrigan quipped.

The Templar narrowed his eyes at her, "How thoughtful of you." Morrigan returned the glare, her golden eyes piercing him.

Aedan groaned, "The sexual tension between the two of you is thick enough to cut!" He gave Alistair a pointed glare before he pinched the bridge of his nose, "Whatever, Morrigan, wake me in two hours." He grabbed his bedroll, moving it to the other side of the fire.

Alistair looked awkwardly at Morrigan, "I, ah, there isn't... I mean." He stumbled over his own words, unsure of what to say.

"Just go, Alistair." Morrigan said with a sigh. He nodded, turning away and settling himself into his own bedroll.

Morrigan sat down beside the fire, her eyes drifting to the ring on her finger. Flemeth had gifted it to her a week before the blight had became apparent. The rosewood hummed with life and warmth, magic obviously a part of its creation. 'Twas given to Morrigan as a means of tracking; her Mother had said that if Morrigan were ever to come to harm, she would be able to sense it through the ring and find her.

Morrigan slid the ring from her finger, grasping it in a fist; she did not wanther mother knowing her every move any longer. Morrigan pulled a sliver of magic into her, focusing it toward the ring.

She felt a spark bite into her palm, and she opened her hand. The ring no longer held its warmth, the connection was severed. Morrigan allowed herself a small smile as she slid the ring back onto her finger.

Flemeth no longer owned her.