"Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do." - Benjamin Spock
The trek through the Wilds led by Morrigan brought them to a hut that had seen better days. There wasn't much around the hut aside from the usual swamp but there was a different feeling here. To Evelyn it felt strangely safe despite the darkspawn being around. Alistair said he could sense them and he still was alert. Daveth was still timid and too close for her comfort.
"Stop staring at my ass." Evelyn growled as she glanced back at Daveth who just looked at her innocently.
Once her attention turned back to the hut Daveth jokingly made it look like he was going to grab her when Jory slapped him in the back of the head, "Ow!"
Alistair cracked a smile at that one then went back to being serious as Morrigan picked up her pace, "Mother, I bring before you four Grey Wardens who…"
"I see them girl." Flemeth said with a short tone while she crossed her arms.
They came before Flemeth and she was not all that she seemed. Her hair was grey and disheveled but her clothing seemed modern. There was a wild look in her eyes just like Morrigan's yet there wisdom beyond her years. Evelyn stood front and center with Alistair to her right side. The woman was studying each of them and set her focus on Evelyn, "Mmm. Much as I expected."
Alistair scoffed, "Are we suppose to believe you were expecting us?"
It was obvious to Evelyn that Alistair did not like this whole scenario one bit. His muscles tightened in his neck and she could tell he was ready to spring to action if either of the witches made a wrong move. Strangely enough Flemeth just smiled at Alistair almost as if she knew he would say those exact words.
"You are required to do nothing, least of all believe, shut one's eyes tight or open one's arms wide…either way, one's a fool!" She replied as her eyes focused on Alistair.
"She's a witch, I tell you! We shouldn't be talking to her!" Daveth spoke up and seemed to cringe behind Evelyn more.
She kicked her leg back towards him to shut him up but Jory spoke up, "Quiet, Daveth! If she's really a witch, do you want to make her mad?"
All eyes were on Daveth who just swallowed hard then took a step back to nurse his knee along with his pride. Flemeth just laughed then smiled broadly, "There is a smart lad. Sadly irrelevant to the larger scheme of things, but it is not I who decides. Believe what you will."
Evelyn's brow arched at her words and she glanced back at Jory wondering why his words were irrelevant or was there a hint at something else. She turned her attention back to find Flemeth right in her personal space. They stood eye to eye and Evelyn refused to blink. Her blue eyes were clear like the sea on a day after the storm. Much of her father was in her.
"And what of you?" Her stare was intense and it seemed like she was trying to read her mind, "Does her female mind give you a different viewpoint? What do you believe?"
Evelyn blinked her eyes then looked away and replied softly, "I'm not sure what to believe…" In truth Evelyn believed that the Maker abandoned her family in their darkest hour, that the Maker abandoned her to be left alone in the world.
"A statement that possesses more wisdom than it implies." She looked at them in a thoughtful manner and smiled, "Be always aware…or is it oblivious? I can never remember." She just shrugged not really caring if she remembered or not. Her eyes focused on Evelyn again, and once more their eyes locked on each other, "So much about you is uncertain…and yet I believe. Do I? Why, it seems I do!"
Believe? What in the Maker's name does she believe? I have lost my faith…Vengeance is my comfort.
"This is a dreaded Witch of the Wilds?" Alistair sounded amused as he looked at Evelyn. He was grinning a little and had dropped his guard just enough to relax.
"Witch of the Wilds, eh?" Flemeth sounded very amused and glanced at Morrigan, "Morrigan must have told you that."
Morrigan looked away trying to play innocent but her mother knew better. Flemeth looked back to them with a devilish grin, "She fancies such tales, though she would never admit it! Oh, how she dances under the moon!"
Her laugh made Morrigan shake her head and cover her face in embarrassment, "they did not come to listen to your wild takes, Mother."
"True, they came for their treaties, yes? And before you begin barking, your precious seal wore off long again. I have protected these." She moved to retrieve the parchments from her hut then came back just as quickly. With care she handed them to Evelyn rather than Alistair and with reluctance Evelyn took them.
"You…oh. You protected them?" Alistair felt slightly ashamed that he was about to accuse Flemeth of being a thief.
Flemeth raised her brow at Alistair, "And why not?" Her tone became serious as did her expression. To Evelyn there even seemed to be a hint of concern in Flemeth's eyes. Could even a Witch of the Wilds fear the Blight?
Her eyes focused on Evelyn then she looked at the treaties, "Take them to your Grey Wardens and tell them this Blight's threat is greater than they realize!"
Evelyn felt disturbed by Flemeth's words and wasn't sure if she should ask more questions. There were so many questions to ask but very little time. She noticed the sun was setting and all Evelyn could say was, "Thank you for returning them."
"Such manners." Flemeth smiled a bit at Evelyn, "Always in the place you least expect it." A chuckle from Flemeth seemed to allay some of her fears. It was almost as if a small spell had been put upon her but why would a witch do such a thing? She kept her smile, "Oh, do not mind me. You have what you came for!"
"Time for you to go, then." Morrigan seemed happy that the meeting had ended. No more embarrassing moments for Flemeth to tell them about.
Flemeth glanced at Morrigan almost in disappointment and it showed even more in her tone, "Do not be ridiculous, girl." She gestured to the Grey Wardens, "These are your guests."
In a way Evelyn was jealous to see the two talk to each other. It brought back some painful memories of her mother. All the fights over dressing up or who she should be marrying made her regret the final moments she had with her mother. A glint in her eye caught Alistair's attention but as quickly as the tear appeared it was gone with a wipe from the back of her hand.
My own mirror image…
"Oh, very well." Morrigan was annoyed at her mother and looked at the Wardens. She gestured to them, "I will show you out of the woods. Follow me."
Daveth and Jory followed Morrigan without hesitation this time. Not too far behind them was Alistair but he stopped when he noticed Evelyn wasn't behind him. She stood there for a moment in silence starting at the setting sun while Flemeth in turn was watching her. Evelyn's eyes watched the ridgeline for a moment then she looked at her hand. A scar from the blood oath she swore the night Highever Castle was taken. She traced the scar then closed her hand before moving to join the others. As she passed Alistair he saw the tear on her cheek and wondered if there was more to what Flemeth told her than he realized.