I should be dead. How am I still alive?
"I see your eyes finally waken." says a voice. As Belyssa sits up she realizes that the voice belongs to Morrigan the witch she met a the day before yesterday.
"Mor...Morrigan?"
"Yes tis I, and you are in the Wilds lest you have forgotten where I live."
"How did I get here?" as she rose from the bed.
"Do you remember nothing?"
"I remember, lighting the signal and then we were overrun by darkspawn and I got hit with two very painful arrows." as Belyssa looked around she didn't see Alistair and panic filled her heart. He can't be gone too! "Morrigan, can you tell me what happened?"
"Well, mother saved you both. She turned into a giant bird and plucked you both from the tower one in each claw. Your hound apparently managed to elude the darkspawn and just showed up a few hours after Mother began healing the both you."
"Thank you Morrigan for aiding in my recovery."
"I..I did nothing, Mother did most of the work. I am no healer. You...are welcome."
"May I ask you some questions?"
"If you must."
"What happened to the other Wardens and King Cailan?"
"The man who was to respond to your signal quit the field. The darkspawn won your battle. Those he abandoned were massacred. Your friend...he is not taking it well."
"My friend, you mean Alistair?"
"The suspicious, dim witted one who was with you before, yes. He is outside by the fire."
"Is he alright?"
"He is...as you are. I suppose it would be unkind to say he is being childish."
"While I am aware we know nothing about one another, making assumptions about a person is most unkind. Those Wardens were his friends, his family and that is something Alistair has had very little of in his life so you would do well to remember that."
"And, you think these Wardens would encourage his blubbering. If so they are not the Wardens the legends spoke of."
"Reality and legend are seldom the same. I doubt they would mind him honoring their loss and still doing his duty as a Warden. What about the King, is he safe?"
"I stand corrected then. Your King is dead...I...am..sorry."
"No, this is horrible. Ferelden can't take another civil war especially with the threat of a Blight. Why did your Mother save us and not the King instead?."
"I was wondering that myself. A King is far more valuable."
"I happen to be of noble birth."
"Are you move valuable than a King?"
"With Cailan gone, my family would have been the next logical choice to rule at the Landsmeet. Especially since Cailan and Anora have no heir."
"Then maybe that was the real reason behind the attack on your family; this may have their plan all along. Either way, Mother asked to see once you were awake."
"Why does she wish to talk to me?"
"I have no idea. She seldom tells me of her plans."
"Thank you again. I will go then."
"I will stay and make something to eat." Once Belyssa was dressed she exited the hut to see Alistair gazing out into the pond and Morrigan's mother standing beside him. As she approached Morrigan's mother began to speak and Trouble let out a happy bark.
"See? Here is your fellow Grey Warden. You worry to much, young man."
"Bel..you're alive! I thought you were dead for sure." says Alistair his voice sounded rough to her ears she could tell he had been crying for his eyes were very red.
"I am, thanks to Morrigan's Mother. I appreciated your concern."
"This doesn't seem real. If it weren't for Morrigan's mother, we'd be dead on top of that tower."
"Don't speak about me as I am not present, lad." interjected Morrigan's mother.
"I didn't mean...but what do we call you? You never told us your name."
"I have an idea." says Belyssa
"I thought you might have. Names are pretty, but useless. The Chasind folk call me Flemeth. I suppose it will do."
"The Flemeth from the legends? Daveth was right—you're the Witch of the Wilds, aren't you?" says Alistair.
"And what does that mean? I know a bit of magic, and it has served you both well, has it not?" countered Flemeth.
"Like I said before, I had feeling that is who you are and I for one am grateful. Thank you for coming to our rescue. I would also like to thank for what you did to Conobar all those years ago."
"Well it is nice to see someone appreciates me."
"So why did you save us and not Duncan he is...was our leader." asks Alistair
"I am sorry for your Duncan; but your grief must come later in the dark shadows before you take vengeance, as my mother once said. Duty must come now. (Belyssa took heart in Flemeth's words when thought about Howe just then). It has always been the Grey Wardens' duty to unite the lands against the Blight. Or did that change when I wasn't looking."
"Alistair is the real Grey Warden here." Alistair looked over at Belyssa she spoke.
"All Grey Wardens in Ferelden are gone. I lost everyone! For the love of the Maker, you can't abandon me now!" his eyes pleading with her.
"What about Fergus and my men, they are out there somewhere and in addition to Howe's men they now have a horde in these Wilds to avoid." says Belyssa her voice filled with just as much emotion.
"What about everyone else. I can't do this on my own. I need you!" he looked so sad just then to her, for a moment she thought he would go down on bended knee and beg. Then she remembered Cailan's words to her. "Ferelden will need Alistair and he will need you." Though she wanted to find her brother and her army she knew she couldn't leave him alone, that is what everyone has always done to Alistair and something she vowed never to do.
"Alright, Alistair. I will not leave you; however, we do need to find them too!"
"To have lost so much, and still have hope you two are more alike than you think." says Flemeth.
"I don't understand why would Loghain do this?" asks Alistair
"You speak as if he would be the first to gain his throne that way. Grew up boy!"
"Are you going to help us, Flemeth?" asks Belyssa
"Me? I am just an old woman who lives in the Wilds. I know nothing of Blights and darkspawn."
answers Flemeth.
"Well...whatever Loghain's insanity, he obviously thinks the darkspawn are a minor threat. We must warn everyone this isn't the case." says Alistair
"And who will believe you? Unless you think to convince this Loghain of his mistake?" asks Flemeth.
"He just committed high treason and caused of the death of my fucking brother..I mean..brothers... and the King. If Arl Eamon knew what he did, he would be the first to call for his execution!" Alistair says angrily. He must really be upset about Duncan, thought Belyssa.
"You think the the Arl of Redcliffe will help?" exclaims Belyssa
"I suppose. The Arl wasn't at Ostagar; he still has all his men. And he was Cailan's uncle."
"And Loghain was his father-in-law!"
"Do you have a better option? If your father was alive, I'd say head there; but we can't." Belyssa visibly flinched at Alistair words, he sounded so angry to her. "Look, I know how you feel; but, the Arl is a good man, respected in the Landsmeet. We need to go to him and appeal for help. I trust him, Bel."
"If you say so, we are going to need more than just the Arl."
"You have more at your disposal than you think." says Flemeth
"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!"
"I may be old, but dwarves, elves and mages, this Arl Eamon, and who knows what else...this sounds like an army to me." says Flemeth.
Alistair looks over at Belyssa and she sees hope starting to appear in his eyes. "So can we do this? Go to Redcliffe and these other places and...build an army?"
"I doubt it will be as easy that." answered Belyssa
Flemeth laughs at Belyssa answer and then says. "And when is it ever?"
"It's always been the Grey Wardens duty to stand against a Blight. And right now, we're the Grey Wardens." says Alistair, he sounds more sure of himself than when Belyssa first came out of the hut.
"So you are set, then? Ready to be Grey Wardens?" asks Flemeth.
"I would be happy living through this." says Belyssa
"Hmm, come to think of it that would be nice." adds Alistair
Flemeth laughs again. "You can't expect me do everything. Now...before you go, there is yet one more thing I can offer you." at this point Morrigan walked over to them
"The stew is bubbling, Mother dear. Shall we have two guests for the eve or none?" she asks.
"The Grey Wardens are leaving shortly, girl. And you will be joining them." answered Flemeth, for a moment Belyssa thought she heard wrong.
"Such a shame..What?" says Morrigan
"You heard me girl. The last time I looked, you had ears!" again Flemeth laughs. Belyssa touches Alistair arms and leads him away from them so they can argue in without being overheard to much.
"Are you alright?" Belyssa asks him.
"Physically I am fine...this is all just to much to sink in at once. I am so glad you are alright, you had me really worried." he reached out, cupped her face and ran a thumb across her cheek. Belyssa was starting to get used the warm feeling that flooded through her when he would touch her like that. She grabbed his hand to stop him, the feeling was getting to be to much for her.
"We...should go through our packs before heading out." Alistair's face become flushed, but he just nodded. Belyssa had taken everything out of her packs and began to organize it all. She was in the process of placing things back in when she came across two items; she found the cloth Cailan gave her, inside there was a key she had no idea to what and for a few moments considered tossing it, in the end she decided to keep it. The other item she knew exactly what to do with. By the time they were done sorting through their packs, Morrigan had come out of the hut with her items she was taking with her as well.
"Not to...look a gift horse in the mouth, but won't this add to our problems? Out of the Wilds, she is an apostate." says Alistair
"If you don't wish help from us illegal mages, young man, perhaps I should have left you o that tower." says Flemeth.
"Point taken."
"Mother...this is not how I wanted this, I am not even ready.." says Morrigan
"You must be ready. Alone, these two must unite Ferelden against the darkspawn. They need you, Morrigan. Without you, they will surely fail, and all will perish under the Blight. Even I." says Flemeth.
"I...understand." says Morrigan
Flemeth then turned to look at Belyssa and Alistair. "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."
"I understand." says Belyssa, "Flemeth, I have something for you. Well actually I think it should belong to you, considering." Belyssa hands Flemeth an object wrapped in cloth. Curious at being given a gift she opens it and even she can't hide her emotions very well when she realizes what the object is.
"How..where...did you find this?" asks Flemeth
"Several years ago, my father refused me something I wanted and in protest I locked my self in the dungeon, it was there that I found it. I thought you would want it."
"You are a very unique woman, Teyrna Cousland. And I thank you." says Flemeth, both Alistair and Morrigan are very curious to know what the item was; but, did not ask.
"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. Or, if you prefer, I shall simply be your silent guide. The choice is yours." says Morrigan
"You mean Lothering, I told my brother's men to find me there and I would prefer if you speak your mind, Morrigan." says Belyssa, from behind she hears Alistair snort along with Flemeth's laugh
"You will regret saying that." says Flemeth
"Dear, sweet mother, you are so kind to cast me out like this. How fondly I shall remember this moment." says Morrigan, Belyssa thought she sound a little bitter.
"Well, I always said if you want something done, do it yourself, or hear about it for a decade or two afterwords." says Flemeth, completely unfazed by her daughter's words.
"I just..do you really want to take her long because her mother says so?" asks Alistair
"We need all the help we can get, Alistair." responds Belyssa
"I guess you're right. The Grey Wardens have always taken allies where they could find them." Alistair says finally agreeing to Morrigan accompanying them.
"I am so please to have your approval." says Morrigan sarcastically.
"I think need get underway, now." says Belyssa hoping to stem off the approaching argument she knows Alistair and Morrigan will have. Morrigan and Flemeth had the strangest goodbye Belyssa has ever seen between a mother and daughter, watching it causes her own heart to ache as she thought of her own mother.
In Denerim at the Castle
"….and I expect each of you to supply these, men. We must rebuild what was lost at Ostagar, and quickly. There are those who would take advantage of our weakened state if we let them. We must defeat this darkspawn incursion, but we must do so sensibly and without hesitation." says Loghain with his daughter Queen Anora standing beside him as he speaks to the assembled nobility.
"Your Grace, if I might speak?" requests one of the noblemen in the assembly. Loghain nods his approval, the nobleman bows respectfully. "You have declared yourself Queen Anora's regent, and claim we must unite under your banner for our own good. But what of the army lost at Ostagar? Your withdrawal was most...fortuitous." his comments are met with gasps of surprise from the other nobles assembled.
"Everything I have done has been to secure Ferelden's independence. I have not shirked my duty to the throne, and neither will any of you!" responds Loghain.
"The Bannorn will not bow to you simply because you demand it!" counters the nobleman.
"Understand this; I will brook no threat to this nation...from you or anyone!" threatens Loghain he then turns and leaves the assembled nobles. The other nobleman begins to walk away when Queen Anora calls to him.
"Bann Teagan, please!" he stops to speak
"Your Majesty. Your father risks civil war, if Eamon were here..." says Bann Teagan.
"Bann Teagan, my father is doing what is best." says Queen Anora
"Did also do what was best for my nephew, your husband, your Majesty?" with that last dig, Bann Teagan leaves the room and Anora visibly flinches from his words.
Lothering...
They traveled in silence for the most part for the next few days, Belyssa knew Alistair was hurting at the loss of Duncan and the other Wardens and her heart went to him, her own grief was finally ebbing to some degree. She was struggling with herself as to what to do to help him; after a week of traveling in the Wilds a mabari hound found them. It was the same hound that Alistair helped out at Ostagar, Belyssa had a feeling the hound was searching for Alistair. By some sort of divine sense of humor this hounds name was Duble (pronounced Double according to Alistair). Belyssa rolled her eyes at all the future jokes they will now have to endure. This of course caused Morrigan to complain at now having two flea ridden bags of fur traveling with them instead of just Trouble. Duble was a female; which seemed to make Trouble quite happy, Belyssa felt it was her responsibility to give some instructions on behaving respectfully to Duble. One night Belyssa experienced a horrible nightmare she woke screaming and as usual Alistair was there for her, he explained that the nightmares are part of being a Grey Warden as well as informing her that those who become Wardens during Blight have the worst nightmares. Belyssa was not in least pleased about this bit of information; yet, she took it in stride reminding herself that she wanted this life even after she was warned against it. Some nights when she was on watch she would hear Alistair whimper from his own nightmare's and she would go over and sit beside him. The first time she did, she discovered that he would calm down and go back to a restful sleep. After about two weeks of traveling they finally made it to Lothering. They were met by a band of bandits demanding they pay toll. Which of course, Belyssa refused this caused the bandits to attack where they were all killed including the leader. He died after he gave them all their silver and refusing to be taken in to the authorities. Alistair finally sounded like his old self for the first time since Ostagar.
"Well there it is. Lothering, pretty as a painting."
"Ah. So you have finally decided to rejoin us, have you? Falling on your blade in grief seemed liked too much trouble, I take it?" says Morrigan sarcastically.
"Is my being upset so hard to understand? Have you never lost someone important to you? Just what would you do if your mother died?" says Alistair as he began to argue with her.
"Before or after I stopped laughing?" asks Morrigan
"Right. Very creepy. Forget I asked." responds Alistair, Belyssa tries to put an end to it.
"Morrigan, leave him be. I believe I explained this to you in the hut." she then turns to Alistair. "What's on your mind?"
"His navel, I suspect. He certainly has been contemplating if for long enough." interjects Morrigan,
"Oh, I get it. This is the part where we're shocked to discover how you've never had a friend your entire life."
"I can be friendly when I desire to. Alas, desiring to be more intelligent does not make it so."
"Honestly, can you two just get it over with. There must be some abandon house about, where the two of you can just get into bed. That is what all this bickering back and forth is, right. Foreplay!" shouts Belyssa giving them an icy stare. Alistair stares at Belyssa like she lost her mind while Morrigan sputters
"You have got to be joking?"
"I most certainly am not. Either this is your way of courting one another or the two of you are so self absorbed with your own importance you have forgotten we have a Blight to stop. So find away to get along or fuck each other brains out, your choice." with that Belyssa leaves them both staring at her and heads down into an area filled with tents. By the time they both catch up with her she was approaching a Templar.
"You there, if you came for safe shelter, I'll warn you; There is none to be had. Move on if you can. Lothering is lost." says the Templar
"What's going on?" asks Belyssa
"We've had refugees streaming from the south for the last several weeks. The chantry and the tavern are full to bursting. There simply isn't enough food to go around, and we Templars can barely keep order. You'd be better off elsewhere, my friend." answers the templar
"Actually I am looking for someone I am supposed to meet here and I am also looking for any news. Can you tell me who is in charge?" says Belyssa
"The Bann has marched north with Teyrn Loghain, so Lothering is on its own. Most folks look to Elder Miriam. Otherwise, you could speak with Ser Bryant in the chantry, I suppose. It's up to you."
"Thank you for your help." says Belyssa as turns and leaves.
"How very cheerful." comments Alistair, thankfully Morrigan stayed silent.
"Are you two done already? That was rather quick." says Belyssa, still pretty annoyed at them.
"Harrumph" was the only comment Morrigan. Alistair on the other hand.
"Bel, you can't be serious? That you expect me..to...with...her?" looking very embarrassed.
"Believe me it would be an experience you will never forget and probably to beg to repeat." now Morrigan decides to speak.
"ENOUGH!" says Belyssa she even growls with frustration at the two of them. "Look, why don't we split up we can meet by the bridge in about an hour. As it stands people are starting to stare, and we have no idea what Loghain has been saying about the battle at Ostagar."
"Do you think that is truly wise? I don't like the idea of you walking around this town alone." says Alistair
"I won't be alone, I will have Trouble with me, and you can take Duble or if Morrigan prefers one of the hounds can accompany her." Belyssa already knew the answer.
"I think not, I need break from all of you at this point. I will you find later when I choose."
"Sounds perfect." Morrigan had already started to walk away before Belyssa responded, Alistair on the other hand was not done."
"Bel, are you sure about this?" he asks.
"Yes, people might be willing to talk to one person rather than two fully armed warriors. There is no need to worry so, keep it up and you will have gray hair soon." she had to smile as he automatically touched his hair she knew how obsessed he could get sometimes about it.
"You say that like you never get into trouble." says Alistair as he too turns to leave. Belyssa sighed happily, finally some peace and quite she thinks to herself. "If the only human company I have for this entire quest is those two I am going to be a raving lunatic by the end and that is if I am not luckily enough to be killed by a darkspawn." she says to her hound, his only response is to cock his head to one side as he thumps his tail.
I know I am changing how some things happened in the game but these are things that always bothered me. I apologize if this offends anyone and for taking so long to post this chapter, it is tax season so I am pretty busy right now. I will do my best to post the next chapter sooner. I also wanted to thank you for the great feedback, I truly appreciate it.