An End to it All (Part 1)

Then I will take the final blow myself…

It was humorous how the words foreshadowing her death came to life so swiftly. By the end of the morrow she would die. Not Riordan and definitely not Alistair. She would make sure of it. Alistair would be made King with Anora at his side and she would die…finally receiving the redemption she sought desperately.

As Kirah entered her room she was surprised to see Morrigan standing there, the woman's sharp features highlighted by flickering firelight. It was an odd thing their relationship. Morrigan was her first and oldest friend, if you could call her that. Yet they never truly got along, siding with bickering rather than bonding. Considering the circumstances, Kirah found herself pleased with Morrigan's presence. The young warden mage had no interest in spending the night alone. Of course, she would never let the witch know that.

Sighing harshly, Kirah feigned annoyance. "What exactly do you think you're doing here in my room?"

"I have awaited your return for quite some time now." Remaining true to her nonchalant self, Morrigan poised with arms crossed, eyes examining the fire dancing before her. "One would assume telling another of their impending death would conclude with haste."

With a lopsided shrug, Kirah brushed off the witch's passive gibe. Suddenly, Morrigan's company didn't seem so tempting. "Unlike you, some of us do have hearts and sometimes it takes time to accept that you or one of your comrades will die."

The witch turned her head slightly, just enough where Kirah took notice of the affliction laded beneath the woman's eyes. As if waving a hand in front of her face and dispelling all emotion, Morrigan shook her head, dissolving all evidence of dejection. On a heel the witch spun to face her would be friend. Her yellow eyes coolly fixated on Kirah's hazel ones as she let out a breathy sigh. "Alas, accepting ones death does not prevent ones death. I, however, am here to tell you it does not need to be." As if walking on air, Morrigan celestially closed the distance between the two women. "I know what happens when an Archdemon is slain. I know a Grey Warden must be sacrificed, and that sacrifice could be you."

Kirah shifted her weight and arched an eyebrow. "How do you know this? I would think pressing your ear against a door would be beneath you."

"T'is not relevant how I know what I know, all that's important is what I am offering you. I have a plan you see. A way out. The loop in your hole, as it were." The witch busied her hands, hooking her index fingers together and rubbing small circles with her thumbs. Calmly she sat at the footing of the bed; gaze firmly attached to Kirah's. "What I propose is this: listen to what I have to say and then you may do as you see fit."

Waving a hand, Kirah clucked her tongue in compliance.

"Convince Alistair to lay with me, here, tonight and from this joining a child will be conceived. The child will bear the taint and the spirit of the Archdemon will be drawn to it like a beacon. At this early stage, the child will absorb its essence and not be harmed. Instead it will be born with the soul of the Old God. No one need be sacrificed and you may live on as the Hero of Ferelden. Something no other Grey Warden has accomplished."

A slew of red flags waved vigorously in the warden's mind. She couldn't fathom how sleeping with her…brother in arms…would solve anything. Aside from that, Morrigan spoke of bearing a child, his child, who would no doubt grow up to be some demon spawn for the witch to play with. No, Kirah didn't like the sound of it at all. "You're mad. What makes you think I would even consider this?"

"T'is simple, you do not wish to die."

Kirah scoffed at Morrigan's presumptuous tone and retorted in her own acidity. "You do not know me as well as you think you do friend. You should know better than anyone that I deserve to be sacrificed. So you are wrong, if it means ending this blight and saving you all, I most certainly wish to die."

"If that were true, you would already be dead…would you not? Certainly you have come across some reason to live and that shall be your rationale to continue doing so. Would you deny yourself tomorrow and all of its rewards? I would advise you not squander this opportunity." A subtle sincerity lined the witch's words

"I…no!" Like a petulant child running from her parents, Kirah flopped on the bed and buried her head in a pillow. Her knuckles whitened as she clenched down on the fabric.

Morrigan respired, managing to keep her tone low and logical. Unfortunate for Kirah, Morrigan did know her better than anyone. She knew how to appeal to the warden's consequent nature; knew exactly what buttons to push. "If you would prefer, consider Alistair. What if it is he that faces the Archdemon? Do you think he will fail to do his duty as the future King and save his country? Are you so willing to let him perish?"

Kirah shot up, propping herself on a stiff arm. With a constricted jaw and eyes burning with the rage of a juvenile youth, the mage declared…to herself more than to the witch beside her "I won't let him die!"

"Then consider the alternative. If you take the final blow he loses the woman he loves. How do you think he will fare once you are gone?"

Kirah's eyes fluttered as she broke eye contact with Morrigan. This was the reason she arranged his marriage to Anora. With Kirah gone the two could form a sturdy union and Alistair would have the aid he needs to move on. It was already working; he ended things between them despite their heart's protests. "He belongs to Anora now, he'll be fine."

The witch shook her head. "Perhaps, but do you truly believe his love for you will cease once he shares his bed with another? Evaluate your own thoughts. Do you no longer love him now that he marries someone other than you? No, I think not."

"That is none of your business." Kirah snapped. She wasn't about to have her feelings examined by a heartless shrew. "My answer is still no. I will not turn to black arts to save my life neither will I risk the future of Ferelden. If I'm able to destroy the soul of the Old God now I will do it."

"Will you not reconsider? One of you will surely die."

"Then that will be me." Kirah's features tensed, signally to the witch that her stance was cemented.

"Ah still the fool girl I met in the wilds I see." A twitch of a smile fleeted across the witch's face. As abrupt as it were to appear it disappeared. Morrigan stood with chagrin and bafflement. "As you wish, but I will not stand idly by and watch you waste away your life. Die! If you feel it is worthwhile. I care not!" With a roll of her eyes and a flick of a wrist, the witch pompously made way for the exit. "Long ago, Flemeth advised that you were destined to fail. I now see how correct she truly was. Enjoy tonight, for it surely will be your last." Pausing at the door frame, Morrigan lifted a hand to the wall and took one last guileless look at the foolish mage. "Goodbye…friend."