Chapter Ten
Ten chapters! Wow, that's. Quite a few. And we're not even close to the end. I hope you're all okay with that. It's safe to say that this will be a bit of a slow burn romance. I hope that's okay! Also, I'm so sorry about going dark for so long. My life's a bit hectic right now, but that's not important. Anyways, see you at the bottom!
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Leliana's mind slowly swam back into reality as her eyelids fluttered open.
She was met with the sight of a familiar pair of yellow, catlike eyes.
I must have died and gone to the Maker, Leliana thought.
He is rewarding me.
The eyes crinkled, indicating a smile.
"Such sweet words from a woman who barely knows me." A sultry voice graced her to ears, and she realized she'd said her thoughts aloud.
"Mother shall be pleased to know you aren't dead, though 'tis a little surprising, given the state she brought you in." Morrigan said to the bard as she pushed herself up into a sitting position.
Leliana looked around, expecting the walls to collapse under the weight of a sudden assault.
"What happened to the darkspawn?" She asked warily.
"You were injured, then Mother rescued you. Do you not remember?" Morrigan asked.
"I remember being overwhelmed by darkspawn..." Leliana said, more to herself than to the witch in front of her.
"Mother managed to save you and both of your friends, though 'twas a close call. What is important is that you both live."
Leliana combed a hand through her hair as Morrigan continued.
"The man who was supposed to respond to your signal quit the field. The darkspawn won your battle. Those he abandoned were massacred. Your friends...they are not taking it well." She finished.
Leliana's brow furrowed, and she swung her legs over the side of the bed, focusing on a spot on the floor.
All those people dead...
"My friends? You mean Alistair and Xavier?" Leliana pulled herself from her dark thoughts momentarily.
"The suspicious, dim-witted ones who were with you before, yes." Morrigan said evenly.
Leliana let out a laugh at that, and Morrigan waited for her to finish before continuing.
"They are outside by the fire. Mother asked to see you when you awoke."
Leliana's hand went to her chest, where she realized that:
1. She was naked.
2. She didn't have any bandages on her body, not even a scar where the arrow pierced her chest.
"Mother and I tried to help you with some of your...other...scars, but they were too old to be dealt with." Morrigan told her.
Leliana knew what she was talking about. All over her body were scars she had gotten from Marjolaine's betrayal, and even though it was so long ago, she was still self conscious, preferring to wear a long chantry robe or armor to cover them up. To see and to know that such a beautiful specimen such as Morrigan saw all of them made Leliana want to shrink out of existence.
"We're my injuries severe?" Leliana asked, changing the subject. She put a hand over her stomach to try to cover some of them.
"Yes, but I suspect you shall be fine. The darkspawn did nothing Mother could not heal." Morrigan replied.
Leliana nodded, accepting that.
"What about Alistair and Xavier? Are they all right?"
"They are...as you are. I suppose it would be unkind to say he's being childish."
Leliana smiled. She pictured Alistair and Xavier's heads on the bodies of babies, fighting over a small stuffed animal.
She stood up, realizing how close the witch was to her. She blushed, and fought the urge to look away, staring into the captivating eyes that met hers.
"Thank you for helping me, Morrigan." She said, studying the woman's face.
"I...you are welcome. Mother did most of the work, however. I am no healer." She responded softly.
Leliana leaned in, unsure of how she'd be met, and placed her lips gently on Morrigan's cheek.
"I will go, now, if your mother wishes to see me." The rogue said to the witch, internally hoping that she wouldn't be set on fire.
Morrigan seemed to be in a daze. "I. Will make something to eat." She replied.
Leliana backed away from the woman, going to a chest by the bed that she assumed her belongings word be in.
She assumed correctly, and quickly dressed in rough leather armor, putting her various knives and daggers on various parts of her body.
Sparing one last look at Morrigan, who had begun chopping vegetables and tossing them into a large cauldron, Leliana exited the small hut.
It was then that Morrigan checked to make sure she had left, then allowed herself to bring a pale hand to her cheek, the feeling of the bard's lips still ghosting over her flesh.
!
Upon exiting, Leliana heard the voice of the woman from earlier.
"See? Here is your fellow Grey Warden. You worry too much, young men." She chastised.
Alistair turned to her, relief flooding his features.
"You...you're alive! I thought you were dead for sure."
Leliana smiled at him. "I am fine. I appreciate your concern."
Xavier, who'd remained quiet until now, spoke. "This doesn't seem real. If it weren't for Morrigan's mother, we'd be dead on top of that tower." He wouldn't meet the rogue's eyes, ashamed at himself for being happy while an entire army lay dead.
"Do not talk about me as if I am not present, lad." The elder woman scolded once more.
"I didn't mean...but what do we call you? You never told us your name." Xavier turned to her.
"Names are pretty, but useless. The Chasind folk call me Flemeth. I suppose it will do."
Alistair's jaw dropped.
"The Flemeth, from the legends? Fave this was right; you're the Witch of the Wilds, aren't you?" Alistair gaped.
"And what does that mean? I know a bit of magic, and it has served you both well, has it not?" She crossed her arms.
"I suppose we should thank you, Madame Flemeth." Leliana tried to steer the conversation away from any conflict.
"If you know what is good for you, I suppose you should!" Flemeth responded.
"Is there some way we can repay you?"
Flemeth laughed at this. "All that I wish you to do is what you are meant to do." She stated.
Flemeth went on. "It has always been a Grey Warden's duty to unite the lands against the Blight."
She turned to Alistair. "Or did that change while I was not looking?"
"Of course not!" He sounded almost indignant.
"But we were fighting the darkspawn! The king had nearly defeated them! Why would Loghain do this?" He continued.
Perhaps a move to the throne. The king dies in battle, Loghain has a claim to it for being a celebrated veteran...it would be a smart thing to do, no? Assassin Leliana mused.
"Now that is a good question. Men's hearts hold shadows darker than any tainted creature. Perhaps he believes the Blight is an army he can outmaneuver. Perhaps he does not see tat the evil behind it is the true threat." Flemeth responded.
"The archdemon." Alistair said.
"Then we need to find this archdemon." Xavier put in.
Alistair turned to him.
"By ourselves? No Grey Warden has ever defeated the Blight without the army of a half-dozen nations at his back." He said incredulously.
He rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly looking sheepish.
"Not to mention, I don't know how."
"How to kill the archdemon, or how to raise an army? It seems to me, those are two different questions, hmm? Have the Wardens no allies these days?" Flemeth interjected.
"I...I don't know. Duncan said that the Grey Wardens of Orlais had been called. And Arl Eamon would never stand for this, surely." Alistair thought aloud.
"Perhaps we should go to him, then." Leliana offered.
"I suppose...Arl Eamon wasn't at Ostagar; he still has all his men. And he was Cailan's uncle."
Alistair became hopeful.
"I know him. He's a good man, respected in the Landsmeet. Of course! We could go to Redcliffe and appeal to him for help!"
"And surely there are other allies we could rely on?" Xavier put forth.
"Of course! The treaties! Grey Wardens can demand aid from dwarves, elves, mages, and other places! They're obligated to help us during a Blight!"
Flemeth smiled. "I may be old, but dwarves, elves, mages, this Arl Eamon, and who knows what else...this sounds like an army to me."
"So can we do this? Go to Redcliffe and these other places and...build an army?" Alistair asked the other two Grey Wardens.
"Of course we could!" Xavier responded, exuding confidence.
"Why not? Isn't that what Grey Wardens do?" Leliana asked.
"So you are set, then? Ready to be Grey Wardens?" Flemeth asked.
Leliana turned to the old woman.
"Yes. Thank you for everything, Flemeth."
"No, no, thank you. You are the Grey Wardens here, not I."
She clapped her hands together.
"Now...before you go, there is yet one more thing I can offer you."
The door to the hut opened just then, and Morrigan came out.
"The stew is bubbling, Mother dear. Shall we have two guests for the eve or none?" She asked, avoiding eye contact with Leliana.
"The Grey Wardens are leaving shortly, girl. And you will be joining them." Flemeth commanded.
"Such a shame-what?" Morrigan turned to her mother, shocked.
"You heard me girl. The last time I checked, you had ears!" The elder witch laughed at her own joke.
Leliana noticed how uncomfortable Morrigan looked, and sighed inaudibly.
"Thank you, but if Morrigan doesn't wish to join us..." She trailed off, looking at the small pond nearby.
Flemeth would have none of it.
"Her magic will be useful. Even better, she knows the Wilds and how to get past the horde."
"Have I no say in this?" Morrigan demanded.
"You have been itching to get out of the Wilds for years. Here is your chance." Flemeth waived her daughter off, turning to the Wardens.
"As for you, Wardens, consider this repayment for you lives."
Xavier examined Morrigan, as if trying to decipher if what Flemeth said was true.
"Very well. We'll take her with us." He nodded his approval.
Alistair looked wary. "Not to...look a gift horse in the mouth, but won't this add to our problems? Out of the Wilds, she's an apostate."
"If you do not wish help from illegal mages, young man, perhaps I should've left you on that tower." Flemeth mused.
"Point. Taken."
Morrigan tried once more to convince the witch. "Mother...this is not how I wanted this. I am not even ready-"
She was cut off. "You must be ready. Alone, these three must unite Fereldan against the darkspawn."
She put a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "They need you, Morrigan. Without you, they will surely fail, and all will perish under the Blight. Even I."
Morrigan looked down. "I...understand."
Flemeth turned once again to the Wardens.
"And you, Wardens? Do you understand? I give you that which I value above all in this world. I do this because you must succeed."
Leliana met the witch's harsh gaze with her own.
"She won't come to harm with us."
Morrigan sighed. "Slow me to get my things, if you please."
!
She came from the hut a short while later, a small satchel at her side.
"I am at your disposal, Grey Wardens. I suggest a village north of the Wilds as our first destination. 'Tis not far and you will find much you need there."
She grew cold. "Or, if you prefer, I shall simply be your silent guide. The choice is yours."
Leliana smiled at her. "No, I prefer you speak your mind."
Flemeth laughed. "You will regret saying that!"
Morrigan turned to her mother, her voice growing sarcastically sweet.
"Dear, sweet mother, you are so kind to cast me out like this. How fondly I shall remember this moment."
Flemeth smiled, as if the words were true. "Well, I always said 'if you want something done, do it yourself. Or hear about it for the next decade or two, afterwards.'"
Alistair ran a hand through his hair. "I just. Do you really want to take her along because her mother says so?" He asked the redhead.
"We need all the help we can get." Leliana responded.
He nodded. "I guess you're right. The Grey Wardens have always taken allies where they could find them."
Morrigan cut in, putting in sarcastically, "I am so pleased to have your approval."
"I think we should just get underway." Xavier said, moving them along.
Morrigan sighed. "Farewell, Mother. Do not forget the stew on the fire. I would hate to return to a burned-down hut."
"Bah. 'Tis far more likely you will return to see this entire area, along with my hut, swallowed up by the Blight." Flemeth shot back.
Morrigan's face fell. "I...all I meant was..."
Flemeth smiled. "Yes, I know. Do try to have fun, dear."
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The walk to the small village began silently, a cold feeling emanating from the witch leading the Wardens.
Leliana walked farther behind Morrigan, her eyes on her form as she listened to Alistair and Xavier.
"Do you think we can trust her?" Alistair asked the elf.
"And why could we not? Because she's a mage?" Xavier shot back.
"That's not what I meant! She's an apostate, and probably a powerful one at that. She was raised by the Witch of the Wilds, after all!"
"I see your point, human, but at the moment, we can get all the help we can get."
"I agree with Xavier. We can't necessarily be choosy, now can we?"
"You know, the daughter of the Witch of the Wilds has ears. They seem to be burning, at the moment." Morrigan stopped, looking over her shoulder ever so slightly.
All three Grey Wardens fell silent, blushing as if they were children being scolded by their mothers.
Leliana's ears perked up, picking out a small whine of pain from the path ahead of them. She looked to her elf and human companions. They had heard it as well, and drew their weapons.
The chantry sister pulled her bow out, readying one of her arrows. They proceeded ahead cautiously, but swiftly.
A short distance later, they came upon a group of hurlocks, eight at the very least, fighting what appeared to be a massive Mabari war hound. The group crouched behind cover, watching the battle unfold.
The Mabari weaved expertly through sword slashes and legs, taking bites out of any vulnerable areas it could reach.
The dog is impressive, assassin Leliana observed. Perhaps he could be of use.
The Leliana in control agreed, and looked to her companions, silently asking if they were ready. Receiving affirmative nods, she slowly stood, drawing back an arrow and firing at a darkspawn who'd made a slash at the dog.
The arrow buried itself in its eye, and it was followed closely by two more, and a skilled Templar.
While Alistair hacked and slashed, Leliana and Morrigan provided cover fire, while Xavier cast spells to protect the dog and the human caught in the fray from harm.
Leliana shot another hurlock down, while Alistair beheaded the alpha, marking the end of the battle. He then turned to the dog, who was covered in blood, and began checking for any injuries.
"Those darkspawn didn't hurt you, boy, did they?" He asked worriedly.
The Mabari barked, wagging its tail. When Leliana approached, the dog's tail wagged harder.
Any harder, and he might just take flight! Leliana giggled inwardly.
Alistair got up from his kneeling position, turning to her.
"I think he was out here looking for you. He's...chosen you. Mabari are like that. They call it imprinting."
"Does this mean that we're going to have this mangy beast following us about, now? Wonderful." Morrigan huffed.
Alistair looked offended. "He's not mangy!" He cooed, more to the dog than to the witch.
The Mabari barked excitedly again, and tried to shake off some of the darkspawn blood.
"He's just. Covered in blood!"
Leliana laughed, petting the massive animal.
"I've always wanted a dog like this," she mused. "Maybe it's meant to be."
The Mabari barked again, content. She kneeled down, now eye level with him.
"Let me think. I think your name should be..." She trailed off, her brow furrowing in thought.
"How about Barkspawn?" Alistair suggested brightly.
Leliana smiled. "Perfect! What do you think, boy?"
Barkspawn barked again, jumping playfully around as if to show his delight.
"Barkspawn it is!" She declared, her smile growing.
"Right. Well. Now that we've decided to name the mangy thing, I suggest we continue on." Morrigan interjected sourly.
"He's not mangy!"
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That's another chapter down! Ok a side note, I was thinking about making an Archive of Our Own account, as well. Does anyone have one? What's it like? Send me a pm, or leave a review!
I hope you enjoyed, and I'll see ya next chapter!