Flynn's eyes fluttered open and fought to adjust to the harsh sunlight streaming in through an open skylight. She shook her head, disoriented. A familiar pair of yellow eyes leered at her from across the room.
"Mor..Morrigan?" She stammered.
"Good. I was beginning to fear that you would never wake. This should put that fool at ease; He's been pacing circles into the floor for the last three days."
"Where am I?" She sat up, suddenly terrified, "Maker, where is Alistair?!"
"Settle down," Morrigan chided, a"He is quite alive and just as irritating as you last left him, I assure you. I'm sure he's outside languishing as we speak."
"What happened?"
"I am afraid your battle was lost. The man who was to lead your reinforcements quit the field, taking his troops with him. Most of the soldiers are dead," She said indifferently.
"Why? Why would he do such a thing?"
"I know not. There have been a few stragglers, but I am afraid all of the grey wardens were killed or carried off by the darkspawn... Well, except for you and your foolish friend that is."
The enormity of what she claimed happened washed over Flynn. There had been thousands of soldiers at the fortress. All of those lives snuffed out in the span of a few hours. What kind of a Maker would allow this to happen to his children. "How? How did we survive?" she finally managed.
"Twas my mother who saved you. She turned into a giant bird and plucked you from that tower... or so she will have you believe," Morrigan chuckled. "She used her magic to heal your wounds and kept you both hidden from the darkspawn here in the wilds."
"Thank you Morrigan." Flynn said sincerely.
"I...Twas nothing," she replied, taken aback. "You should be thanking me for putting up with your wretched friend. He has been inconsolable since you were brought here."
Morrigan tossed her pack to her.
"There is stew on the fire. Eat and dress if you feel well enough. I will be outside." She stood and slipped silently out the door.
Flynn sat up slowly and tenderly prodded her chest where the arrow had impaled her. The area was sensitive, but she was astounded to find that it had healed completely with no trace of a scar. Morrigan's mother must be an extraordinarily powerful mage to have saved them and healed a wound that should have been mortal. Maybe she actually was the Flemeth of legend. She stood unsteadily, pulled on her leather armor, and walked tentatively out of the hut into the bright midday sun.
Alistair was seated on the ground with his back to her holding his face in his hands, oblivious to her presence. The joy and relief at seeing him alive and unharmed was almost too much for Flynn to handle. She walked to him and placed her hand lightly on his shoulder.
"Alistair..."
He whipped around, startled by the sound of her voice, and jumped to his feet. He stared at her in disbelief with puffy, red eyes.
"Aw, you are just as ugly a crier as I am," she smiled and brushed away a stray tear as it trailed down his cheek.
"Maker, is it really you?" He reached out tentatively and touched her face, "I thought for sure...Oh Flynn." He pulled her against his chest, wrapping his arms around her. They stayed like that for some time, too afraid to let go of one another. Finally, he trailed his fingers down her arms and took her hands. "Do you have any idea how worried I was about you? Don't you ever do that to me again, or Maker help me I'll feed you to the darkspawn myself."
"Fine, if it will make you happy, I will try not to take any more arrows to the chest... I guess." She sighed.
"And I wasn't crying...I just got dust in my eyes...while fighting...things," he finished awkwardly.
"Oh really? Where are all these "things" you were fighting?"
"I...they...ran away in terror at my tremendous strength and battle prowess."
"Of course they did. How very, very, brave of you to face so many...things," she realized suddenly that they were still holding hands; she let go and they stepped back from one another sheepishly. They walked together to the shade of a nearby willow and sat against the rough bark of the tree trunk.
"Flynn, Teryn Logain abandoned those men to die. We are the only remaining grey wardens in Fereldan."
"I know," she said softly, "Morrigan told me everything."
"I just don't understand. Teryn Logain is supposed to be Fereldan's greatest hero. I mean for Maker's sake his daughter was married to King Cailan. It just doesn't make any sense. None of this makes any sense!" He slammed his fist against the tree trunk angrily, splitting his knuckles open. "I should have been there with Duncan and the others. How was a great man like Duncan killed and a fool like me spared?"
"Alistair, you had nothing to do with Duncan's death, and berating yourself will not bring him back. The only person who carries any blame is that coward Logain." She took a handkerchief from her pocket and wrapped his injured hand tenderly. "You are a great man. You saved my life. If you had been down there in that battle I wouldn't be here right now."
"Oh please Flynn, you killed most of the darkspawn in the tower, and you defeated that ogre while I lay on the floor unconscious. I was useless," he replied miserably, "You'd be better off without me."
He leaned his head against the trunk and closed his eyes. Sorrow was plain on his face; the sight was heart wrenching. She looked up at the delicate swaying branches of the willow tree they sat beneath, marveling that something could be so beautiful and peaceful while her world was falling into turmoil.
"When I first met you, you asked why I was recruited into the grey wardens," She began softly, "Contrary to what I told you, it was not because of my charm or good looks. Duncan did not come to my family's estate to recruit me; he came to recruit my best friend Roderick. While he was there to administer the test, my father's advisor Arl Howe attacked the undefended castle in a bid to gain my family's land and title. The guards, the servants...my mother, father, sister-in-law and nephew were slaughtered. In one terrible night, I lost everyone I had ever known and loved. All murdered over one man's greed and lust for power."
Flynn's voice caught in her throat. She gently thumbed the crest carved into her bow as she continued.
"Duncan rescued me and offered me a chance to be a grey warden because he needed a recruit, not because I was his choice. We left my home and I was shattered. I wished so desperately that he had just left me there to die with them. That was, until I met you."
She looked up at him with tears spilling down her cheeks, "Meeting you reminded me that the world is not all darkness; there is still light and kindness to be found even in the direst of times. You gave me someone to fight for Alistair; you gave me something to live for again." She took his hand.
"Flynn, I had no idea. I am so sorry."
"There is nothing to be sorry for Alistair. The man was a coward just like Teryn Logain. We can do nothing to bring them back. We can sit here and feel sorry for ourselves and wish things were different, or we can fight together to end this blight and make sure that their deaths were not in vain."
"My my, what a moving sentiment," Morrigan materialized from the shadows of the woods. "If only words could end the blight, we would have defeated the darkspawn twice over." She sauntered catlike towards them.
"What do you want, witch?" Alistair asked wearily.
"Tut, tut. That is hardly any way to address the woman who saved your life, templar. My mother wishes to speak with the two of you. Come, she is not a patient woman."
They followed Morrigan back to the hut where Flemeth was waiting with their packs and a sack of supplies. "It is time that you leave this place and fulfill your destinies. As the last remaining grey wardens you are the only ones who can defeat the arch demon and end this blight."
"Oh sure, sounds simple enough, "Alistair replied irritably," I suppose we will just waltz into the deep roads and kill the thing then. Come on Flynn, time to fulfill our destiny."
"Do not be a fool, boy. This is no time for your inane jokes. You must gather an army to destroy the blight and strike the arch demon when it is weak."
"Gather an army? I don't suppose you have one just lying about in that sack do you?"
"She means the treaties, Alistair," Flynn said exasperatedly and pulled the small chest from her pack.
"The girl at least has some sense. I am glad I did not save you in vain. After the first blight, each of the races of Fereldan pledged that they would assist the grey wardens if another blight ever arose. The peoples of this land have grown distant and mistrustful of one another. These treaties will be crucial in convincing them to join your cause. "
"Thank you for everything, Flemeth. I don't know how you saved us from that tower, but we are incredibly grateful."
Flemeth nodded dismissively and handed her the supplies. "I must ask one favor of you before you depart."
"Of course, anything."
"Take my daughter Morrigan with you."
"What?!" Morrigan and Alistair exclaimed together.
"She is a capable mage and I desire for her to learn more about the world than I can teach her in these wilds."
"Mother, surely you jest!" Morrigan's golden eyes flashed angrily.
"Enough girl, get your things and do as I say!" Flemeth silenced her with a fierce glare and Morrigan reluctantly went into the hut to gather her belongings.
"I expect you to return her unharmed. She is a stubborn thing, but she will be a useful tool in your efforts to stop this blight."
"We will keep her safe," Flynn assured her.
Morrigan stomped out of the hut, "Goodbye mother. Try not to starve to death while I am gone."
Her mother nodded curtly and Morrigan set off without them into the forest.
"You'd best catch up with her. She is likely the only one who can guide you through these wilds unscathed. Be safe wardens. The fate of all Fereldan lies in your...capable...hands."
Flynn and Alistair grabbed their packs and followed Morrigan into the dense shadows of the woods.