Author's Note: So I had a huge delay in posting this because I couldn't decide on the order of chapters and which parts of the story I wanted to tell first! Apologies! I wanted something a little lest angsty and a little more light-hearted than usual. So here's Marian returning home from a night spent with Morrigan ^.^. Enjoy dear readers and please R&R when you can!
Chapter 29: Lessons in Memory
The young mage returned home the same time the sun decided to peek it's head over the horizon; she prepared herself for the earful she would be receiving from her mother for returning home at such a strange time. She wanted to replay the night she had spent with Morrigan over and over in her head. They had had sleepovers before, but none quite like this. She had kissed her witch, held her in her arms and told her the very words she had been too afraid to say only yesterday.
"Marian!"
The mage looked ahead with a dazed look and goofy grin plastered on her face. Her mother's brows were furrowed and her hands rested stiffly on her hips; this did not bode well for the mage.
"Where have you been and what in the Maker's name has happened to your face?" Leandra asked somewhat horrified that Marian now had a huge scar across her face.
Marian wanted to assure her mother that she was fine; that she had spent the night with Morrigan, but all that she could do was smile wider. Leandra observed as her daughter looked at her somewhat blankly and found herself confused.
"Don't worry dear," Malcolm rested his hand on his wife's shoulder. "Our daughter has just confessed her love and received it in return. The scar, however, she's going to have to get back to us on that."
Leandra nearly fell backwards in shock, and if it were not for her sturdy husband, she may well have hit the ground.
"Surely you don't mean…" Leandra immediately began to worry about the legitimacy of such a passionate affair.
"No, dear, you misunderstood me," Malcolm chuckled as Marian remained unfazed by her mother's assumptions. "I know that expression all too well. This is exactly what happened to me the first night I stayed over in your room, confessed my love to you and received your confession as well."
"So Marian has…" Leandra's lips tugged into a smile, "that's wonderful news!" She pulled in her oblivious daughter in for a hug. "Who is the lucky man?"
Marian looked at her mother with a raised brow, and tried her best to focus on the question she had just been asked. Malcolm sighed and forgot how completely oblivious his wife could also be. Morrigan had been coming over for almost 10 years now, and Leandra had never realized just how much her eldest daughter admired the apostate witch. Malcolm, on the other hand, knew all the tell-tale signs of love, and Marian was just as hopeless of a romantic as her father.
"Man?" Marian repeated. "What man?"
"The one you're in love with, who is he?" Leandra asked again.
"In love with a man?" Marian slowly came to as she came back to the reality she had unknowingly walked into. "Me?"
"Dear are you sure she's in love… I feel like she's perhaps had one of those strange berries from the Wilds that all the kids in Ostagar are getting in trouble with." Leandra looked up at Malcolm.
"No, she is completely sane, if not a bit delirious from not sleeping; however, she's not in love with a man, she's in love with M…"
"Morrigan," Marian completed her father's sentence. "She's the most magical, splendid, warm and beautiful woman that I have ever encountered." She smiled wide again before yawning and excusing herself from her parent's presence.
With Marian absent and seemingly heading to bed, Leandra stood still and pondered what had just happened. Malcolm looked to his wife and wondered what she was thinking. Unlike him, Leandra had grown up somewhat sheltered to the very many, different kinds of people that inhabited the world.
"Dear, are you ok?" Malcolm asked while holding her shoulders.
"How did you know?" Leandra asked.
Malcolm chuckled and replied, "she's just like me; I was the same way when I was courting you. And she's taken some of her romance skills from you too; you should see all the trinkets she makes for Morrigan."
Leandra smiled sadly, "I just feel awful for never noticing. This whole time, I've asked her which boys interest her, and have tried setting her up who knows how many times… neither of you said anything."
"She always found her way out of those set ups, and she was probably worried about hurting your feelings." Malcolm added, "and I thought it would be best for her to tell you. Are you upset?"
"Of course not," Leandra sighed and leaned back on her husband, "I just hate knowing that it's only going to be harder for her."
"Because they're both girls?"
"No, because they're both apostates." Leandra responded.
"We'll be here to help them as much as we are able." Malcolm reassured his wife, but his eyes drifted to the path ahead. "Can I help you young man?" He gave the boy a stern look; it was strange to have a visitor so early in the morning.
"Uh, I was wondering if Marian was home," the boy tried his best to hold Malcolm's gaze, but ended up glancing towards the ground.
"She is, was she expecting you?" Leandra asked.
"Oh no, I was just wondering if she was alright. You see, yesterday she sustained a pretty awful injury in the sparring ring, and then..."
"The sparring ring?" Malcolm raised his voice which alarmed the youth. "Sorry, young man, what is your name?"
"My name is Leo," he extended his hand and added, "I did not mean to get her in trouble; if it helps, you should know she was undefeated until someone fought dishonorably, but..."
"Malcolm Hawke, Marian's father, and this is my wife, Leandra." Malcolm shook the young man's hand. "Thank you for telling me about the sparring match; I hadn't known how she had gotten that scar." The elder man sighed and then continued, "let me get Marian for you."
Malcolm went down the hall and turned immediately to the right, only to find Marian fast asleep on her bed. As much as he would have liked for her to get her rest, he couldn't let her get away with such foolish choices.
"Marian," his voice was resolute and the girl murmured in response. "Marian!" His voice had a little more force and the girl quickly sat up.
"Yes father!" Marian was startled; it had been some time since she had heard that tone in her father's voice.
"There is a boy named Leo calling on you… is there something you'd like to tell me?"
Marian's gaze quickly averted her father's steadfast one. She had somehow completely forgotten about her incident in Ostagar thanks to Morrigan's confession. The young mage had not considered that anyone would come asking for her, but then again Leo had always been a considerate friend.
"I went to town to spar," Marian confessed.
"After I deliberately forbade you from going," Malcolm's voice boomed. "It is only by luck that it is a town boy at our doorstep and not a Templar."
Marian hung her head and apologized. "Father, I'm sorry… I won't make the same mistake again."
"Hand me your blade…" Malcolm held out his hand.
Marian's eyes widened and her heart dropped. Her father had given her the blade two weeks ago after she had fully mastered channeling magic through it; it hadn't even been that long, but she was attached to it. With it by her side, she felt invincible, and knew she could protect herself and Morrigan if need be.
"But Father, I-"
"That scar on your face speaks loudly enough; you've shirked your responsibility. The blade will remain with me until I feel that you deserve my trust." His voice was level, but his face softened as Marian handed him her treasured blade. He knew she was truly sorry, but she still needed to learn a lesson. "Now go see what Leo wants."
Marian gave a slight nod and walked off towards the front of her house where her mother had invited Leo in for some tea.
"Marian, you're alright!" The boy exclaimed, half expecting the girl to appear half eaten after being whisked away by that giant wolf.
"Nothing that some ointments and herbs couldn't take care of," she offered him a small smile.
"Do you mind if we go for a short walk?"
"You don't want to stay for breakfast?" Leandra asked.
He smiled but shook his head, "I have to be on my way back to help my father load some of our harvest, or else I would love to stay."
"What a well bred young man you are; very well then, off you go." Leandra gave her daughter permission to leave the home with the town boy. "I expect you back for breakfast, however."
"Of course, mother, I'll be back soon."
Marian followed the boy out the door and couldn't help but feel like he was nervous about something. At first, he said nothing, merely walking further out on the trail with his hands in his pocket.
"Marian… are you truly feeling well?" He asked in a low voice.
"Leo, I promise, I'm fine. My friend made sure of that; she's a great medicinal healer."
Leo gulped at the mention of the strange girl that had taken Marian into the forest. He pulled his hands out of his pockets and wiped them on his pants before speaking again.
"That girl… is she really a girl?"
Marian's heart skipped a beat, "of course she's really girl."
"I mean to say… is she just a girl?"
"Leo what are you talking about?" Marian feared what he was getting at, but kept her ignorant front up.
"You might not believe me but I saw her transform into a wolf… I think she's an apostate." He leaned in and whispered.
This time Marian's heart made a complete stop.
"Marian are you listening to me?" Leo grabbed her by the shoulders.
The mage looked at the boy with a somewhat blank expression; she honestly didn't even know that he had said anything else.
"I know she helped you, but she could be dangerous." He warned and then looked towards the forest; it felt like something was watching him. "We should tell some of the guards; I've heard gruesome tales of the Witch of the Wilds." His body gave an involuntary shiver.
"She's just a girl, Leo," Marian looked sternly at the young man, "you very well know what happens when you make those kinds of accusations."
"I wouldn't make them unless I was 100 percent sure; I thought you might have been eaten alive." He exclaimed.
"She's my friend; I know everything about her…" Marian wished there was something more she could offer, but she could tell that Leo wasn't convinced.
"Marian?"
Marian's body froze as a familiar, silky voice came from behind her. She turned quickly and saw Morrigan heading their way.
"S,s,stay back!" Leo stuttered and took a step back.
"Is he alright?" Morrigan asked as she was slightly offended that the boy had spoken to her in such a way.
"He's just a bit…" Marian fumbled around for the right expression.
"I know you're an apostate!" He pointed and then reached for the sword on his belt.
"Leo, no!" Marian stood in front of him and grappled with his sword arm.
Before Marian could get a good hold on the boy, she felt his entire weight fall on her. Only after scrambling back up did she realize Morrigan had cast a sleeping spell on him.
"Wonderful, now he knows for sure that you can do magic." Marian sighed; her heart was still pounding.
"Bring him; I've been meaning to practice a new spell." Morrigan spoke calmly and walked towards the Wilds.
"Have you gone mad? You can't just use him for some magic practice!" Marian looked at the sleeping boy on the floor.
"Bring him if you not only want to keep me safe, but him as well." Morrigan turned back again, but she noticed that the mage had yet to move. "Just think," the witch sighed, "what would my mother do if a human boy threatened our safety?"
Marian shuddered; she had seen just what Flemeth was capable of, and knew that was not something she wished upon Leo. With one final groan, she lifted the boy and followed Morrigan into the Wilds. They traveled deep into the woods until even Hawke felt her endurance waning.
"Morrigan, how much longer are you going to make us walk, because I-"
The witch held up her hand and instructed Marian to bring the boy to her. The mage did as she was told, and then stood back as she watched the witch place her hand over the boy's forehead.
"What are you-"
"Shhh," Morrigan needed to focus.
She tried remember the feeling of the pull she had felt when her future self had made it seem like she stole her memories. She had known enough to nullify the effects, but she had not yet mastered the ability-partly because she had been putting it off, but mostly because she didn't have anyone to practice on. The witch reached into the boy's mind and saw the fuzzy images that must have been his memories. It felt strange; she could feel what he had felt, and with focus she saw as he saw.
She saw herself transform into a wolf and carry Marian away, so that's how he knew. It was foolish of her to be so hasty; she should have gone deeper into the forest. She pulled once more until the image was gone, and then released her hold. If she took more, she would not be able to recover it.
"That should do it," Morrigan sighed and felt her vision fade as her body grew weak..
Marian came up behind her and held her before the witch could stumble backwards. The witch leaned on her mage and let a gentle smile overcome her as she rested comfortably in Marian's embrace. She had yet to be held so intimately from behind, and she was finding that she liked it, a lot.
"What happened?" Marian cast a worried gaze at Morrigan.
"I took his memories… " Morrigan murmured.
"His memories?" Hawke was surprised; although such magic was not unheard of, it was dangerous and complex, "so he doesn't remember you transforming into a wolf?"
"No, however…. It would not bode well if he returned with no reason for his memory loss." Morrigan tightened her lips and thought of a solution.
"I know!" Marian smirked and planted a chaste kiss on the crevice of Morrigan's jaw and neck.
The witch felt a tingle run down her spine and knew it wasn't magic that induced this reaction, but something altogether more dangerous. Marian looked around and her eyes widened with glee as she found what she was looking for.
"Those berries," Marian remembered going to town and seeing a couple of her friends completely out of it; when she had inquired what was wrong with them, she had been told that they had taken one of the forest berries to hallucinate.
"Of course," Morrigan caught on to Marian's plan. "How did you come to know the effects of the animi berries?"
"A bunch of my friends in Ostagar have taken a liking to them," Marian chuckled, "don't worry, I wouldn't try them without you."
Morrigan felt heat rush to her cheeks; her mage knew all too well her signs of jealousy, and it was embarrassing to be caught.
"I would never delve into such folly…" Morrigan muttered.
"Like I said, I'd only delve into such folly with you," Marian murmured and planted another kiss on Morrigan's neck.
It hadn't been a whole day since they had first begun to give in to their desires, and already she felt tempted by Marian, but the witch wasn't complaining. She loved the way Marian's gentle voice vibrated against her ear; the way her soft skin felt against hers. If it hadn't been for the unconscious boy in front of them, she would have regained enough strength to turn around and push Marian against anything that would help her get as close as she wanted.
"Give him the berries," Morrigan instructed before she could get carried away again. "And then we'll leave him on the trail" Morrigan looked at the mage and saw that Marian was giving her a small frown, "a safe spot; don't worry he won't be run over by a merchant or anything of that nature."
Marian smirked and lifted the unconscious boy once more. Today had been a close call, and the danger of being exposed had not been lost on the young mage. Morrigan had been able to fix this problem, but if it hadn't been for Marian's trip to Ostagar, Leo would never have traveled into the Wilds.
They left the boy on the side of the trail, under some shade provided by a rather large tree, with some of the berries they had forced him to eat. Marian felt guilty for leaving the boy in such an embarrassing state, but the alternatives to this situation seemed darker in comparison. As she walked back into the Wilds with her witch she clutched her hand and looked away when Morrigan looked her way. They hadn't held hands quite like this… not as lovers. She felt Morrigan's hand give hers a tight squeeze and only then looked back at her witch to find a small smile on her face.
"What a cute pair of apostates we make?" Morrigan teased.
"You are by far the more beautiful apostate," Marian said in a hushed tone; partly because she was scared someone else would hear them, and partly because she felt bashful.
"You do not give yourself enough credit," Morrigan stated calmly as she leaned in to kiss Marian, "you should have seen how many girls had their eyes glued to you when you sparred; I nearly shocked them all." She pushed her lips against Marian's and lightly nipped at her bottom lip.
The mage felt a deep pleasure emit as Morrigan kissed her deeper and briefly sucked on her lower lip after biting it. The witch reveled in her power as she felt Marian shudder against her as the kiss prolonged, and received a most alluring moan when she introduced her tongue.
"Sis?"
Morrigan jolted from her position and immediately changed her demeanor; Marian, on the other hand, was still in a state of complete bliss as she registered Bethany's voice.
"Beth!" Marian finally snapped out of it and blushed profusely. "What are you doing here?"
"Mother sent me and Carver to fetch you… I believe Carver went to town…" Bethany glanced at Morrigan and then quickly averted her gaze; her flustered beauty was intoxicating. "It's nice seeing you again Morrigan," she added in hopes of alleviating some of the awkwardness.
"As it is nice seeing you again," Morrigan couldn't look Marian's younger sister in the eye. "I should go back; I'm sure mother is expecting me," Morrigan muttered as she turned her body to the Wilds.
"Or you could join us for a late breakfast!" Beth offered and took the witch's hand in her own.
Marian raised an eyebrow as she caught sight of one of Beth's more devious smirks. Although her sister was sweet, she was also as mischievous as her elder sister. What was her sister concocting in her head this time?
"Mother always wishes we had more guests, but seeing as we live so far from town, we hardly have any. She'll be delighted to see you," Beth didn't wait for any objections as she pulled Morrigan back on the trail that led to their home.
"Beth you can't just drag her home," Marian protested.
"It's fine, I would like to join anyways." Morrigan added before Marian could further object.
"You would?" Marian felt her face heat up as she realized that her mother knew about her feelings for Morrigan, and just this morning her parents had had a somewhat embarrassing conversation about it in front of her.
Bethany smirked as Marian's face went through several expressions; she had also heard her parents in the morning. The mage pales as she imagined all the ways her parents would further embarrass her. Her mother would accidentally come off as rude; her father would ask far too personal questions to be asked at a dinner table… the mage gulped for what was to come.
