A/N: So glad to see all the visitors and views this is getting! I'm excited to be back and appreciate all the people who read&review.
Enjoy!
Chapter 7: A Fateful Meeting
Marian beamed with excitement as she held Morrigan's hand and led her towards Ostagar. Today her friends would be playing tag, and Morrigan had finally given into her pleading. The mage looked back to see Morrigan refusing to make eye contact with her.
"How can chasing after each other be of any fun?" Morrigan stated as they neared the town.
"I promise it will be; if you don't like it we can just leave." Hawke grinned and gave Morrigan's hand a little squeeze.
The witch blushed but scoffed all the same at her friend's reassurance. If her mother ever found out about her whereabouts, she would be flayed alive with her scorching remarks on how foolish her decisions had been. Usually she agreed with her mother when it came to human children; they were simple creatures that lacked all manner of majestic qualities. However, Marian had convinced her otherwise, and for some reason her mage friend had more influence over her than she would like to admit.
"Wait!" Her mother wasn't merely wary of children because of their dullness, Morrigan had learned that they were also cruel. "While they may be your friends, they are not mine. How can I trust them not to single me out?"
Marian stopped and looked Morrigan in the eye. She knew how hard it was being an apostate mage in a world that feared magic. Her father had warned her never to use her abilities whilst in town, and other than the Dale incident, it had been relatively easy to do so. Still there was always that caution in the back of a mage's head that never let them be at complete ease.
"Would you like to observe first? There are trees and bushes nearby the clearing where we play. I'd introduce you as my cousin so that no one's suspicious" Marian offered. "Plus you're wearing some of my clothes… even if the pants are slightly high rise on you."
The witch felt uneasy in these clothes. Her mother had always given her enchanted items, and these clothes lacked any kind of magic. Morrigan could feel the absence, but they looked normal compared to her usual attire. Morrigan nodded and followed Marian. Hiding Morrigan was easy enough as none of Marian's friends had arrived yet. She gave Morrigan one of her boyish grins before she walked towards a group of approaching children.
"Marian!" A shrill voice pierced the atmosphere as a wavy, blonde-headed girl ran straight at her. "You came to play! Its been too long." The girl oozed with affection as she latched onto Marian's arm.
"Hi Loren, I've been busy at home." Marian scratched the back of her head and offered a small smile as condolences for her absence.
"We missed you!" A lithe girl with midnight black hair latched on to Marian's other arm.
Marian chuckled and patted the girl on her head, a behavior she had picked up from her time with Morrigan. Soon enough she was surrounded by three more girls, whilst the boys gave her a playful pat on the back before mingling with each other. Morrigan felt a pang in her chest as they clung to her friend's limbs. She was not a tree, nor were they wild critters, but perhaps this was how human children greeted each other. She kept her magic from acting on her emotions and watched as they started the game.
It was a simple enough game. One child would start off as a darkspawn, whilst the rest remained human. Once one was tagged they joined as a darkspawn and chased down the rest until there were none left standing. Marian offered to be the first darkspawn, and Morrigan noticed how her prey always seemed to want to be caught. The young witch's brow twitched as the other children's flirtatious actions further annoyed her. She chided herself for such foolish emotions and watched Marian at play once more. She was the quickest of her group and the most graceful by far; it didn't take long for the round to end with such an adept darkspawn on the loose.
The game restarted and this time Marian was a human. While the others fell to their darkspawn foes, Marian had evaded the horde. Morrigan was actually impressed with her dodging abilities. There were boys who were faster, but none that were smarter. Morrigan grinned and knew that some of her agility came from her time spent in the Wilds running alongside her when she was a wolf.
Marian was laughing as she outran Loren, but the clever and light-hearted mage was so sure of not getting caught that she failed to see a small but sturdy root. Her foot tapped it and the girl fell forward. Loren smiled and charged ahead. Feigning to trip over the root as well, Loren fell on top of her intended prey. Morrigan watched with piercing yellow eyes as Hawke blushed underneath the blonde-headed girl.
"Caught you." A winded Loren whispered as she hovered above Marian.
"You're quite a lucky darkspawn." Hawke smiled and motioned to get up.
Before she could even remotely get a good grip on the ground, Loren tackled her to the floor and hugged her close. Morrigan's eyes widened and she sent a zap in that direction. Loren yelped and jumped off Marian much to Morrigan's pleasure.
"I'm sorry, it must have been the static." Marian apologized nervously and refused to look towards the bush that Morrigan was hiding in. "Well I really should get going now, before it gets too late."
"But we only just started!" Loren exclaimed and pulled at Hawke's wrist.
"I still have some chores to do, but I promise I'll come play again." Marian patted the girl's head and ran off towards the Wilds.
Morrigan followed her queue and met up with the mage at their usual spot. The witch took her seat by Marian and began to speak.
"You were very good at evading capture."
"Did you zap Loren?" Marian ignored her compliment and looked her witch straight in the eye.
"If you are speaking of the yellow-headed girl then yes I may have let out a few sparks." Morrigan was nonchalant as ever. Her eyes held Marian's, and for the first time she felt uneasy with her expression.
"But why?" Marian's brows began to knit as Morrigan's calmness persisted.
"Twas an accident, I'm not sure why you're throwing such a fuss over it." The witch groaned but could no longer look straight at Marian. Though the girl was younger than her, Morrigan recognized there was something about Marian she respected.
The young witch was wounded by Marian's mood; perhaps the blonde-headed girl meant more to her than Morrigan had anticipated. She had always known that Marian had other friends, and that she often went to town, but she had never felt so far from her friend than when she was hiding in the bush and Marian was running with the other children. It also didn't sit well with the long raven-haired girl that Hawke was so well loved by others. Marian was kind and affectionate by nature, was it so wrong for Morrigan to want to covet it for herself?
"Don't you understand?" Marian's voice rose and Morrigan lost the sounds of the Wilds and her own thoughts as the other girl's words filled her ears. "We can't use our magic out in the open! Someone could have seen you, and then they would have…" Marian's voice cracked much to Morrigan's surprise, and she felt herself being pulled in by Marian's arms. "They would hurt you." Marian's voice was so soft, Morrigan wouldn't have heard her if the mage's lips hadn't been near her ear.
"They would have tried." Morrigan scoffed but she didn't push Marian away from her. "If you fear them so much, why do you play with them?"
"Being a mage doesn't mean I'm not human." Marian kept Morrigan tight in her arms. "I want friends like anybody else."
"Couldn't I be your only friend?" Morrigan relished the warmth that came from Marian's body being so close to hers.
Marian's face felt hot as Morrigan's words registered in her mind. Her only friend? Morrigan was by far her best friend in the land of Thedas, but she also treasured her time spent in town. The young mage was friendly and social by nature; because of this she had acquired many friends. She couldn't imagine only having one.
"Am I your only friend?" Marian asked.
"Yes." Morrigan let the word slip out and realized she was afraid. Marian was her only friend aside from the creatures in this forest. The only other person she conversed with was her mother and the occasional spirit.
"You are my only best friend." Marian responded.
"I would never hurt you for being what you are."
"And I would never hurt you for anything, Morrigan. But I believe I can one day live as a mage and still be human to others."
"You're a fool then!" Morrigan wasn't sure if it was fear, anger or hurt that drove her actions forward, but she pushed Marian back with all her strength.
Marian fell off the log and onto the lush green grass. She saw Morrigan run deeper into the Wilds, and scrambled to get up and chase after her. As she rose from the grass an acute feeling of pain shot through her side. Her fingers clutched her side and when she pulled her hand away it was soaked in quickly looked to where she had fallen and found a sharp piece of wood also covered in red. Marian fretted as she tried her best to cast a healing spell to at least ease the bleeding, but she her fingers felt so cold and jittery that she quickly lost focus.
"Morrigan!" Marian cried out for her friend to return, but she was long gone.
She began to feel faint, and she knew she oouldn't stay here for much longer. The scent of her blood would attract predators, and if she couldn't protect herself, she'd be their next meal. If only Feros were here with her, but the Mabari was at home with her brother and sister. Marian cried out in pain as she curled on the ground.
Morrigan swiftly ran through trees and over streams as her paws cleaved into the ground, thrusting her forward with inhuman speed. As a bear she didn't feel as vulnerable as she did in her frail body. She roared as she thrashed forward, but slowed to a full stop in the middle of a clearing. Why did it hurt so much to leave Marian's embrace? She was envious of the mage's disposition, and yet she was angry that Marian was so optimistic about normal humans. What was so great about those simple-minded fools? Morrigan huffed and stomped on a flower. Perhaps her mother had been right, nothing but pain and sorrow would come from befriending Marian. She shifted into a wolf and was about to head home when she heard a faint cry in the distance. Surely, Marian had gone home already.
Morrigan slowly ran in the direction she had left Marian and picked up more clearly on her cries; Marian was still in the Wilds. Her mind grew frantic as she picked up on the scent of blood, and knew Marian was in mortal danger. When she arrived at the scene, Marian was crawling on the ground and casting feeble spells at a pack of enclosing wolves. Why didn't she get up and run? Why was she gripping her side? Morrigan shifted once more and charged the wild animals that were threatening her friend.
Marian nearly fainted at the sight of a bear charging towards her, but saw a familiar set of yellow eyes amidst the black fur. She had never seen Morrigan shift into anything other than a wolf, but she had mentioned there were other forms she could take. Although she was bigger in her bear form than a wolf, she wasn't full grown. The wolves were riled up but they continued their advance nonetheless. Marian scrambled towards Morrigan as a wolf snapped its jaws only a few feet away.
"Morrigan, my side…" Marian groaned and the bear eyed her bloody hand covering the wound. "I can't fight." She cried but held her tears in.
The bear huffed and lunged at a wolf that was getting too close. She managed to whack his nose, but another wolf had lunged and bit into her arm. She roared and reeled back as she shook off her attacker. Marian cast a fire spell towards the wolf and it whined and released the bear from its jaws. Morrigan stood by the fallen girl and eyed her with worry. She had used up most of her mana shifting from a bear to a wolf and back to a bear again. She could heal Marian, but she'd have nothing left to fend the wolves off.
"Morrigan, go," Marian smiled at her as she commanded her to leave.
The bear let out a cry and stood her ground; she wasn't going anywhere. Morrigan wouldn't abandon Marian to these wolves, but she couldn't deny the fear that was bidding her to leave. Marian eyed a wolf that was readying to jump on them, and reacted before she could register the pain. She lifted her hands and casted a barrier over the two of them. Morrigan was surprised at the size and strength of it, but knew her mage friend wouldn't be able to keep it up for much longer. She shifted back into her human state and aided the girl in keeping up the barrier. The wolves lunged and found themselves blocked by a thin blue veil. Morrigan huddled closer together with Marian and was further surprised that the majority of the barrier was being held up by her shaking body. Their jaws snapped and their claws cleaved at their barrier that grew weaker and weaker second by second.
"Morrigan, I'm sorry." Marian cried as she felt her grasp on consciousness slip.
Morrigan pulled Marian's limp body towards her and closed her eyes as the snarling wolves descended upon them. She never thought the creatures of the Wilds would be the cause of her death, or perhaps she never thought she would ever sacrifice herself for someone else's sake. At least this way she had no regrets. She closed her eyes tightly and anticipated the pain of her final moments. Soon enough they'd rip at her flesh; hopefully Marian wouldn't wake up.
"Begone, these children are mine." A voice boomed and the wolves whined as they slowly retreated from the huddled duo. Morrigan looked up to see a man with dark hair, a well-kept beard and light blue eyes. A blast of fire and ice followed his words and the wolves scattered. "Marian!" The man knelt quickly and searched his child for her wound. "Are you hurt child?" Malcolm looked at the other girl who was by his daughter. "Your arm took quite the bite. Beth please heal her arm as best you can, while I work on Marian."
Morrigan hadn't noticed the two smaller forms that stood behind him, but she recognized Marian's younger siblings by the descriptions she had given her in days past. Carver looked timid but sure enough in his father's presence, and Beth had large, sweet eyes and curls in her hair.
"But father," Carver protested, "won't she know that..." Carver held onto his sister before she could approach Morrigan.
"It is better to be judged by what we choose to do rather than what we choose not to do. She is a child, and she is hurt, wouldn't you choose to help her as well Carver?"
Carver nodded and let Beth approach the stunned girl. Beth gently placed her hands above Marian's wound and smiled at her as the blue healing magic washed over her. Morrigan whimpered at the burning, but it passed soon enough.
"Fa..ther?" Marian was coming to. She winced as she tried to raise herself up.
"Stay still Marian." Her father commanded and she didn't have the strength to disobey. "What have I told you about playing in the Wilds?" His gaze was full of fire, but Morrigan also saw the worry that accompanied his anger. "You could have been killed."
"It was my fault." Morrigan felt her throat tighten as the man's gaze turned towards her.
"You are no more to blame than Marian." Malcolm sighed. "How is your arm?"
"A little raw, but it's fine thanks to your healing magic." Morrigan nodded to Beth.
"You are no doubt a mage yourself." Malcolm looked further into the Wilds, and felt a familiar presence. "I should not be surprised to see you here." He spoke louder and a woman appeared.
"Mother!" Morrigan truly felt in danger now.
"You foolish girl, look what you've done to your arm." Flemeth eyed her daughter's wound but kept her attention on Malcolm. "I see you're on a family outing of sorts; The Wilds is a strange place for such a thing."
"It was not by choice; I sensed Marian was in danger."
"And by what means, I wonder?"
Malcolm held up a simple cube latched to a string. "It seems Carver took something from Marian without her notice. It is laced with magic."
Morrigan's own cube, which hung on a necklace she had made, began to resonate as the other was in near proximity. Malcolm raised an eyebrow, but knew well enough what the cube was for.
"My daughter enchanted them to act as communication devices. It was luck that they proved useful." Flemeth spoke calmly. "May I speak to you privately?"
Malcolm knew the request wasn't a question but a demand. He nodded and walked only a few steps away from his children. Beth was calm and even somewhat enchanted by her surroundings, but Carver nervously shifted his gaze and kept his guard up. Marian was left to rest near Morrigan who was now shaking slightly at her mother's presence.
"Now, we have quite the predicament on our hands." Flemeth began the conversation.
"I never meant for Marian to stray into your lands."
"You mean you never meant Marian to stray just yet." Flemeth smirked even though the man before her sorrowed at her comment. Hawke was one of her many investments, but he had only come to her out of desperation- an unwilling servant of sorts."Fear not, I mean your child no harm." She spoke truthfully; if Marian were to come to harm it would not be of her doing.
"I wasn't aware the tales of Flemeth's daughters were true." Malcolm shifted from his daughter to hers.
"I grow lonely from time to time, and it seems that she too was lonely. She has found a marvelous friend in your daughter."
"You've known?"
"How could I not?" Flemeth's smile ceased. "They are innocent enough, but it is a bond that must be broken."
Both parents looked towards the children and found Hawke smiling as she introduced Bethany and Carver to Morrigan. Maleficar children all happy to be around each other; even Carver seemed smitten with his new acquaintance.
"What would you have me do?" Malcolm turned to face Flemeth.
"Nothing, for now." Flemeth eyed her daughter warmly. "My child has a life of darkness and a tattered world to look forward to. If only but for a moment, let her heart learn to love."
"Won't that only makes things worse."
"You are a wise man after all." Flemeth smirked and pushed back one off her black locks. "I may look young, but this decision is not born of folly. When the time comes, I will take back what I have given."
"Meaning?" Malcolm grew worried for his child.
"Meaning there will come a day when you must act your part and I must act mine. Love is a strange thing, and if it grows too strong, not even my magic will be enough to break it. I will take their memories and store them properly in a place neither should be able to reach."
"I never thought I'd be making another deal with you." Malcolm sighed and rubbed his neck.
"There are worse things." Flemeth laughed and left the man to his worries. She approached the children and lifted Morrigan with ease. "I will be taking this one home."
"Will she still be able to play with me?" Marian asked quickly.
"Morrigan isn't very good at heeding my words, so my guess is that you two will still play."
"If I may" Malcolm looked at Flemeth for permission, "Morrigan is welcome in our home. It is far enough away from the town to avoid arousing suspicion, and it is a deal safer than these woods."
"Tis kind of you, but the Wilds are the safest place for us. However, I will grant Morrigan permission to leave our refuge when accompanied by Marian."
Marian smiled wide, and Morrigan's mouth hung slightly open in astonishment at her mother's allowance. Her young witch had much to learn, but soon there would be no room for any sort of trivial pleasures. The future was never a set thing, but Flemeth knew the path of her daughter and Malcolm's would not be an easy one. She sensed the old gods stirring, and in time this world would be set asunder- only fate would persevere.
