Part IV
"Thank the Maker you're back!" Alistair exclaimed upon seeing The Warden. The king had never been more relieved in his entire life "You have no idea how happy I am to see you! Where have you been?".
Morrigan's anchor was hidden away in a corner of the great hall in the palace. Her gate spell had worked perfectly and she, The Warden, and their child where whisked away to the royal castle in the blink of an eye. Their sudden arrival had a rather unsettling affect on the servants and guards that were in that hall at the time; two women fainted and a guard urinated on himself. But other than that, it went without incident.
"I need to talk to you right now, Alistair." The Warden said in a very serious tone. "Somethings happened and I need your help."
"What do you need?" the king asked, so taken by The Warden's sudden return that he failed to notice Morrigan and the child.
"Greetings to you as well, Alistair." Morrigan said flatly.
"Morrigan?! I don't believe it! He found you! I mean I knew he would, well, not actually. But at this point I guess I shouldn't put anything past...."
"Alistair..." The Warden interrupted, "You're babbling."
"Oh, right. Sorry about that. I just can't believe it's really you. And you found Morrigan. You have no idea what I've been going through since you left."
"I haven't been gone that long," The Warden stated.
"Six months! You've been gone more than six months! I began to think you were never coming back."
"Why? What happened?"
"Ferelden has seen better times." And as the group walked through the halls of the palace on the way to the royal study, Alistair explained what had been happening during The Warden's absence. Ferelden had sorely missed The Grey Warden.
"I would really appreciate it if you could make yourself visible to the public. Let them know you're back." Alistair said.
"The way word spreads around here, I think they already know."
"That might be so, but I'd rather not have to contend with rumor mongering. If the people could see you, that would go a long way towards quieting them down a bit." the king said as they arrived at the study and proceeded to enter. "Now, what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?"
When The Warden was sure that they were alone he began to speak, "I need your help with something very important, Alistair."
"What? I'll do anything I can to help."
"We saw Flemeth."
"Are you sure? I thought you killed her."
"It was her."
"More good news. I can't say that I'm surprised, though. You can never seem to kill a witch dead enough. I take it she's after Morrigan?"
"No. She's after my son."
"Your son?" the king said, shocked. "Is that...?" he asked as he pointed to the small bundle in Morrigan's arms. The Warden nodded.
"Can I....?" Alistair asked sheepishly. Again, The Warden nodded.
Alistair slowly walked over to Morrigan, gently reached out his hand and pulled back the small, thick blanket covering the child so he could get a better look. "He's got his mother's eyes and hair. And your chin," Alistair said, looking up at The Warden.
"Would you like to hold him?" The Warden asked and immediately felt the barbs from the glare that Morrigan cast at him. A glare that said if there is any part of your being that desires to continue drawing breath then you shall cease such dangerously foolish notions this instant.
"Maker, no." Alistair said, "I'd be too afraid."
"A pity." replied Morrigan.
The Warden told the king of Flemeth's return and how she had intended to take the power of the child for herself, though neither he nor Morrigan knew how she intended to accomplish that feat. He mentioned nothing of Morrigan's deal with her mother. And the witch remained silent as the two men spoke.
While the look on her face said nothing, her insides were twisted in knots. Morrigan wanted to leave that place. Every part of her body screamed to be taken back to the wilds. She knew it was a mistake to be there. A mistake that they might not live to regret. "There is something amiss about this room," she thought. She had the feeling that someone was watching them. Watching her.
Alistair called to one of the palace servants and informed him that The Warden, Morrigan, and the child would be staying as guests of the king.
"Very good, Your Majesty," the servant said, "How many rooms will you be requiring?"
"One." The Warden replied. Morrigan had greatly hoped he would only request one. But she showed nothing on the outside.
"The child and mother will be staying in the room. Please have someone attend to their needs."
"And what of you?" Morrigan asked The Warden.
"I'm leaving for Circle Tower tomorrow morning. I need to go see Wynne."
"You have gone completely mad if you believe that I shall a remain here for a single instant whilst you go ..."
"Listen to me, Morrigan. Right now I need you to cooperate. Please. We need to keep Seth safe. And he'll be safest here. With his mother."
"I fail to see what can possibly be gained..."
"Please." The Warden repeated.
Morrigan sighed deeply, "Very well. As you insist."
"Wait. You're leaving her here with me?" Alistair exclaimed in disbelief, "That is a very bad idea."
"That won't be a problem will it?" The Warden asked.
"Oh, no, it'll be great. We can catch up on old times. Just as long as I don't try to get any sleep." Alistair replied, sarcastically.
"Do I even want to know what that implies?" inquired Morrigan, placing her free hand on her hip.
"It's nothing." The Warden answered
"Knowing you two, I would hardly wager on that."
As evening came, The Warden made sure that Morrigan and the child had been settled and their needs were met before making his own preparations to leave for Circle Tower. The tower had the most extensive library in all Ferelden. There must be some knowledge in those books and ancient tomes that would give him the answers he sought. He was sure that was where his quest must start.
"I'll be gone for two weeks. No more than that." he told Morrigan as she was attending to the child in their quarters.
"And what exactly is it I am supposed to do in your absence?" She asked in return. "Do you expect me to simply wait here and do nothing at all?"
"We've already discussed this. You and the baby will be well taken care of here."
"Suppose I do not wish to be 'taken care of'."
"Morrigan..."
"And how am I to know whether or not you have accomplished anything? Perhaps your search will take you far longer than you realize." Morrigan stated, in her usual cutting tone.
"For whatever reason, Flemeth hasn't already tried to take the baby, yet. I don't know why she hasn't tried or what she's waiting for so I don't have a lot of time to waste. Your mother revealed herself and her intentions for a reason. She would have known we would try to stop her. I have to figure out what she's up to. Wynne can help me figure that out. I promise, I'll be back in two weeks. No longer."
"Suddenly I am an invalid? Fit for naught but the most menial tasks? Is that what you think?"
"Morrigan, look at me." The Warden said as grabbed her gently by the shoulders and turned her body towards his, "I will be back for you. For both of you. I swear it."
"The last time you swore such an oath it took the better part of a year for you to make good on it."
There was a long, awkward silence in the room. Neither The Warden or Morrigan said anything for several minutes. He stared into the fireplace, watching the flames dance about as they consumed the wood. She sat in a large chair next to the bed and coddled the baby. Finally, when neither of them could stand it anymore, The Warden spoke. "We need to talk about this."
"I would agree."
"I've thought about it ever since last night, I haven't been able to think about anything else."
"Nor have I. Your tone with me as of late has been most disturbing. Do you believe you have no room left in your heart for me?"
"I don't know what I believe anymore. I don't even know for sure if any of it was real." The Warden said as his mind tried to grasp the situation. It kept failing.
"How I feel about you is real. It has always been so."
"What about your mother's journal? If that was the book that showed you that your mother was going to try to steal your body, and you said she never talked about her other daughters before, how did you know?"
"When a being's age becomes as great as Flemeth's, one tome is hardly sufficient to hold such vast arcane knowledge. There are many such books throughout all of Thedas. By chance I happened upon one of my mother's previous grimoires. It contained much the same information as the one found by you. Perhaps, there might be such a book with my name in it." Morrigan explained.
"So you used me."
"Yes. I used you. Though I much regret ever having done so. I was not the same person as I am now. Twas you that changed me."
"But if you knew she would return, why ask me to kill your mother?" The Warden questioned.
"I had hoped it would delay her long enough for me to make sufficient preparations."
"So, that's why you had the scroll of gate and the other items."
Morrigan nodded affirmative as she stood from the chair and lay the sleeping child in it's bed.
"But you didn't decide to keep the baby until after the ritual, did you? Otherwise you would have never gone through with it in the first place."
"Tis not so. I anguished over my decision for weeks. I only decided to proceed with the ritual when we were in Orzamar; after you had given me the jeweled mirror. At that moment everything became clear and I knew exactly what I was feeling for you." Morrigan said, "The ritual we performed was for your benefit. I had no desire to see you dead. I told you as much."
"You lied to me and used me. How am I supposed to get passed that?"
"Yes, I did. And as I have already stated, my feelings for you were quite genuine. They still are. I will not, however, be led 'round in circles like some lost child. If your desire is to be with me, then say so. If not, then so be it. You are already aware of my wishes."
"Of course I want to be with you. But I feel like I don't even know you at all." The Warden replied.
"You are confusing me with who I was before we met. I am speaking truthfully when I tell you that on the night our son was conceived I had already swore no harm would come to the child."
"I want to believe you, Morrigan. I really do." The Warden said as he looked into her eyes. Her golden eyes always had a glow that mesmerized him.
"Then believe me. I am extremely saddened that I have disappointed you and lost your trust. It hurts me more than you can know. But I cannot continue to have this hanging over me. Please, tell me what it is you wish me to do and I shall do it."
"I don't want this hanging over either of us." The Warden sighed, then continued, "We'll be alright. It's just going to take some time, that's all."
"Tis decided then?"
"Yes."
"We are still 'entangled'?" Morrigan asked with a sly grin.
"Still entangled." The Warden replied.
She wrapped her arms around him and held him as close as she could; something she had never done before. The Warden responded in kind.
"We'll be ready for whatever your mother has planned. I promise."
"I'm inclined to think that my mother hasn't all the pieces she needs. Tis why she has made no effort to take our child."
"That might be so, but why not wait until all the pieces are in place before revealing herself. That's the part that doesn't make any sense here."
"Tis most perplexing, indeed."
The next morning saw The Warden making his way to see someone very important He had been away a long time. And now that he was back, he needed to pay a visit to an old friend. Morrigan and child accompanied him as he quickly made his way through the castle.
"I do not comprehend your urgency. Who would be so important that this reunion could not wait until after the Sun had wholly risen?" Morrigan's question answered itself once she saw where their destination was: The kennels. "Oh, no." she said as the revelation hit her.
But before she could turn and flee it was too late. There was no mistaking the deep, growling barks that were headed straight for her. In an instant Morrigan was mauled by slobber, fur, and stench.
"You will get your vile beast away from me now!" Morrigan commanded loudly, "I will not have him anywhere near my child!"
"He's not going to hurt anything. He's just wants to meet the newest member of the family." The Warden said as his boyhood friend, Leo, danced and barked around them excitedly.
"That loathsome creature isn't any relation to me nor my child!" In truth, Leo was a 200 pound Mabari war dog who was capable of tearing a man to pieces in mere seconds.
"Why do you have to be that way? You'll hurt his feelings." The Warden said, jokingly.
"Dwemer!" Morrigan shouted. She rarely ever called him by name unless she was really upset with him. And this time was no exception.
"Alright, alright. Settle down, boy" He said and instantly the dog sat and became motionless save for the panting of his large tongue. "Don't mind her," The Warden said as he vigorously scratched behind the dog's ears.
"I take it this annoying beast shall accompany you?" Morrigan asked as she used her free hand to wipe the dog hair from her clothes..
"I figured he could use the exercise."
"As long as he stays far from me, I care not what you do with him." Morrigan said as she shifted the infant in her arms. "Seth requires his breakfast and is in need of changing. I shall handle the former, you the latter."
"Are you punishing me?"
"Apparently not even the great Grey Warden gets out of changing dirty diapers," Alistair said as he approached. "Morrigan...." he said, acknowledging the witch.
"Alistair...." returned Morrigan, "I shall be in our chambers awaiting you. I expect you not to be long." Morrigan finished as she walked off, back towards the castle.
"Morrigan, a mother," Alistair said
"And a damned good one, too." The Warden added.
"Who would have ever thought?" Alistair commented as he shook his head, "I was never able to understand what you saw in her. I mean sure, there's her amazing good looks, sultry voice, perfect body, and incredible mystique. But other than that, what have you got?"
"Look after her while I'm gone. Make sure they both stay safe. Promise me. Promise me you'll look after them." The Warden pleaded with his friend.
"I was afraid you were going to say that." the king remarked.
"Promise me, Alistair."
"Alright, I promise."
"Thank you. I really do appreciate all the help you've been giving us. Hopefully I'll be able to get some of this sorted out when I get to Circle Tower." The Warden said, "But you didn't come all the way down here to talk about Morrigan."
"No, I didn't. I came to warn you about a large crowd that's gathered outside the palace gates. They're expecting you to make an appearance."
"I told you word spreads fast in Denerim."
"That was too fast, though. You haven't even been back a whole day yet."
"I'll make sure they can see me leaving."
"Leaving? Are you trying to incite a riot? Don't let them think you're leaving. Tell them...tell them ...", Alistair paused to think, " Tell them you're on official royal business. Super-secret so you can't say a word about it. Make sure to tell them you'll see them again soon. Don't forget that part. It's very important."
"Super-secret royal business, eh?" The Warden said, grinning.
"What? You don't think they'll believe it?"
"Whatever you say, Your Majesty."
Alistair just groaned.
The Warden gathered the items that he needed and prepared to leave for Circle Tower. Morrigan had little to say while she watched him pack. He placed his backpack over his shoulders, walked over to Morrigan, and gave her a long and passionate kiss. The child, for once, did not object.
"Two weeks. I have your word." Morrigan said as she looked into his eyes.
"Two weeks." He acknowledged.
"I long for your quick return, my love," the witch confessed as she placed another soft kiss on his cheek and embraced him.
The Warden bent down and kissed his son softly on the forehead. "I'll be back soon. Take care of your mother for me while I'm gone," he whispered into the infant's ear.
With that, The Warden turned and headed out the door. Morrigan watched him from the window as he left the palace. He stopped just short of the gate and whistled. Before long Leo came running with his normal exuberance, barking loudly. The massive throng that had gathered cheered in jubilation at the sight of their precious Grey Warden. He waved to the faces in the crowd as the royal guards flanked him on either side and attempted to part the sea of people to allow him to pass. The Mabari proved to be far better at the task.
From her window, Morrigan watched her warden for as long as she could see him. She watched as he made his way down the street towards the city gates, and as he passed through those gates and into the lands beyond.
"Two weeks." She thought to herself.
Several days had passed since The Warden's departure and Morrigan found herself more alone and uncomfortable with each passing day. She was surrounded by strangers. Day and night she watched them move about their lives, trying to draw as little attention to herself as she possibly could. She longed for the peace and quiet of the wilds. Mostly the witch simply stayed in her quarters with her son.
But for Morrigan, the absolute worst part was the doubt. Was he really coming back for them? For her? She would try to rationalize it to herself and each time Morrigan convinced herself that he would really return, the doubt would always find a way to creep back in.
She had lived with the constant guilt of her actions since the moment he had found out about them. It was a strange sensation, remorse. Never had she ever felt even the slightest bit of regret for anything she had ever done. But, then again, she never cared about anything before.
At first, he was simply a fascination. A toy, as all men are. But her feelings grew into much more than that and, without her realizing, she had passed the point of no return. Other men in her life had professed such things to her as The Warden had, but they had never used actions rather than words to say it
And all the while was the feeling that she was being watched. As if there was someone perched in the shadows ready to pounce at any time. It was an unnerving sensation that she just couldn't shake.
"I'm not disturbing you, am I," Alistair asked as he stood by the door.
"Actually, the child and I were about to..."
"I just wanted to check up on you. He made me promise I'd look in on you."
"That is very......thoughtful of you, Alistair, but quite unnecessary I assure you."
"Are you sure don't need anything? Maybe something for the baby?"
"We possess all that we require. "
"Right. I'll just be going then." Alistair said as he started back out the door.
"Come to think of it, there is something that you can help with after all." Morrigan said. The witch appeared to be dealing with some internal thought process and it was troubling her, Alistair noted.
"What?"
"Before he left, had said something. Something I found rather odd. I simply have not been able to come to grips with it."
"That sounds serious. What did he say?" Alistair asked, finding himself surprisingly curious.
"He said we were a family."
"That's all he said? Why would that bother you?"
"I have never been part of a family before. I know not what the components of such things are. Would you place such a definition on us as well? Would you agree with The Warden's assessment, that we are, as he says, a family?"
"Sure, I guess. There's you, and him, and the baby. Why wouldn't you be a family?"
"Why not, indeed." Morrigan said as her attention drifted back to her thoughts on the matter.
It had taken The Warden three days to get to Lake Calenhad and The Circle Tower. Along the way, he was attacked by bandits. The Warden had given them fair warning as to his identity, but they were not deterred. They told him that The Grey Warden has left Ferelden and they called him an impostor. It didn't take long for The Warden's blade to confirm who he was.
Once he arrived at the tower he met with Wynne and appraised her of the situation. She, of course, gave The Warden full access to the tower libraries and even assigned two assistants to help him. Zakary and Tyresa, two apprentice mages who were both knowledgeable in ancient lore and mythology.
The Warden immediately went to work. He spent long hours staring at large tomes looking for anything that might help him deal with Flemeth. Time was running out and he knew he didn't have long before the hag would strike.
As the days dragged on, The Warden started to think there was no answer to his riddle. He could find nothing in all the books and scrolls he had poured over. He had researched all he could on Flemeth and still come up with nothing. That's when it hit him.
He was looking for the wrong thing. It occurred to him that the magic that helped to create his child could also save it. So he began to ask a different question: How do you get the soul of a god out of a child?
"Souls require vessels to inhabit, otherwise they will either be destroyed or travel to The Fade." Zakary told him, "Your child is acting as a vessel for the soul that inhabits him. In order to draw that soul from him you would need a place to store it; an artificial vessel created by magic. The stronger the soul, the more powerful the vessel required to store it."
"So where would I find a vessel strong enough to hold the soul of an old god?" The Warden asked the young mage.
"I don't know of any that would be powerful enough to contain such a thing." Zakary replied, "I'll take a look in the library, though. I know of several books on the subject. Perhaps I can find some answers there."
The Warden was exhausted and his head hurt from reading all day. He would head back to his room and get some much needed sleep. He had hoped that if he could figure out what Flemeth's plan was, then maybe he could stop it. And he intended on returning to his search as quickly as he could. He only had one day left before he had to return to Denerim and he needed to make the most of it. Circumstances, as always, would conspire against him.
That night, The Warden awoke with a start and sat up in his bed. Something was wrong. His internal beacon with Morrigan had told him of her position the entire time he had been away. It made him feel almost as if she was right by his side.
But now, it wasn't there anymore. He began to think it had become a permanent part of him, forever pointing the way to his beloved witch. But it was gone. And it hadn't faded away slowly either. It just vanished. A icy chill ran through his entire body. "She's gone!"