Originality sprinkled with in-game events. :) A/N at the end to explain something, lol.
Thanks to Harmarkhis and PurpleCandyCorn for the reviews and for everyone who is following this story! :D
And Bioware still owns... ;)
Chapter 37 - On The Road to Denerim
They took some time to stay in Orzammar, looking around, buying supplies and enjoying King Bhelen's hospitality. Alyssa and Alistair were rarely seen with their companions, preferring instead to stay in their room at the inn.
On the rare occasions when they did emerge from their room to accompany them, they would do so silently, holding hands and stealing loving glances at each other.
Morrigan was there with them on one said occasion, when Alistair had been nuzzling Alyssa's neck, and had informed everyone that both of them were making her ill, which Alistair promptly turned to his advantage by announcing that he was 'killing two birds with one stone', before kissing Alyssa fully on the mouth, a grin on his face.
Yes, those were the best times of their lives amidst all the bantering...
So by the time they set out to Redcliffe, to meet with the Arl, a huge shadow had been lifted and they both walked with a spring to their steps, enjoying each other's company and just marveling at the thought that they were both alive and together.
The arl had been relieved to learn that they had acquired all the help they could, using the treaties, and wanted to make arrangements so that they all could travel to Denerim together to his estate.
"Well, your Grace, there are still a few things that need to be done, which I feel are important to me and my companions. I hope you do not feel offended if you march away alone, with your knights and soldiers. We'll meet you at your estate at a later date."
Alyssa smiled at him, ready in case he went against her wishes.
Alistair might have been a puppet to Eamon, but she wanted to make sure that the arl understood he would never control her the way he had controlled Alistair in the past.
The Arl seemed to be taken aback for a few moments, when a stunned silence followed her words, but he seemed to take it all in stride very quickly and complied to her wishes.
"Very well. I shall await your arrival at our estate in Denerim, then."
She smiled sweetly at him and Alistair suppressed a grin.
They stayed on in Redcliffe castle at the arl's insistence that night, and set out early the next morning.
What they did not see or know was that the arl had just paid someone off to have them followed.
...
Alyssa was pleased with the arrangement. There had been two things she had wanted to do before setting out to Denerim for the Landsmeet.
One of the things had been to return to Ostagar. The ghosts of the past would not let her be, and she wanted to see if she could strike down any remaining darkspawn there in order to quiet her sense of revenge and rage, ever present when she thought back at what had transpired there.
The other thing had been the promise she had made to Morrigan to kill Flemeth, and this seemed to be the perfect opportunity to do so.
They camped at the edge of the wilds, not far from the ruins of Ostagar itself, alert in case they were attacked by darkspawn, and setting up watch with more people just in case.
They were not bothered, as was the case, and the very next day, Alyssa had set off to the ruins with Alistair, Wynne and Leliana.
They had been very thorough and killed each and every darkspawn in sight. Truth be told, the whole matter now seemed more like a personal vendetta once pieces of the armor Cailan had worn started to appear on some of the darkspawn. Alistair had reacted very badly to this, and so they had looted every darkspawn in sight before finding the last piece of the armor.
They also found Cailan's body and built a pyre, sending him off to the Maker at last, while his earthly body burned.
There was something that had bothered Alistair though, and that was that Duncan's body had never been found. Alyssa had suspected it never would be and left it at that, she just took Alistair's hand and squeezed it when he had turned to her before they left the battlefield.
When they recovered items from Cailan's personal chest, which included letters between Empress Celine and Cailan, Alistair's remark had evoked a response from Wynne, and they had fallen into a more serious banter about the help Orlais could have sent to Ferelden for this Blight and how Loghain's treachery had spoiled it all.
Alyssa had then taken a beautiful blade from the chest, and knew from another note she found inside and from what she had heard from her parents, that the blade had belonged to Maric. Cailan had decided to use the blade ever since he had taken the throne five years before.
It seemed only natural, therefore, to do what she was going to do. She had the blade enchanted by Sandal at camp with three Grandmaster runes: flame, paralyze and slow. She also had the rest of the weapons enchanted. Then she walked over to Alistair, who was sitting beside the fire, and lay the sword on the ground before him.
"This was Cailan's," he said as he stared at it, not touching it.
"No, it wasn't," she replied quietly.
He turned a questioning look at her and she met his gaze squarely.
"It was King Maric's," she finally said. "I think it only fitting that you carry it."
He did not say anything, but could tell that he was touched.
"I had it enchanted...I also have Duncan's sword here, for you. And his dagger, but seeing as you don't use two blades," she sighed, almost as if she didn't understand why he had never learned to use twin blades, "then I suppose you have to choose whether you want Duncan's or Maric's. I had Duncan's enchanted with the same runes too."
When he looked at Duncan's sword, she could tell he was waging a war inside himself. Duncan had been like a father to him, but had also kept secrets from him. She knew, however, that his real issue was the fact that he had not been in the battle to protect Duncan.
"You can keep both, and switch them, using whichever you want."
He nodded, unable to speak at first. She bent down and kissed him lightly, before turning to leave. She still had to hand other things out to the rest of her group. His voice stopped her.
"I think I'll use Maric's for now." It was quiet and still held undeniable emotion in it. "Thank you, my love."
She smiled into the night as she approached Leliana next.
...
Flemeth stood next to her hut, seemingly waiting for them. Alyssa was momentarily taken aback. How did the witch know that they were coming for her?
She did the best to hide her surprise when she stood directly in front of her.
The witch's eyes glinted malevolently, a smile playing on her lips.
"Ah, so here you are at last. Lovely Morrigan has finally found someone to dance to her tune."
She was enjoying herself.
Alyssa bristled. Alistair stood beside her and snorted disgustedly. Wynne and Leliana were silent behind them.
"I should dance to your tune instead?" She retorted.
Flemeth cackled. "What has Morrigan told you, hmm? What little plan has she hatched this time?"
"She has sent me to kill you, and for good reason." Alyssa could barely contain her anger now.
"Oh, there are many reasons to kill Flemeth. More than you'll ever know. But if I am to guess, I would say that Morrigan has discovered something...something shocking that requires her defense, yes?"
Alyssa did not reply, but felt her anger still climbing, coursing through her body.
"Ahh, but it is an old, old story. One that Flemeth has heard before...and even told. Let us skip to the ending, shall we? Do you slay the old wretch as Morrigan bids? Or does the tale take a different turn?"
Alyssa thought about her taking all those girls, and using them, possessing them when the moment was right. Anger broke down her self-control at last.
"You deserve to die, whatever the reason!"
"It is a dance poor Flemeth knows well. Let us see if she remembers the steps." She walked up to a small plateau not far from the hut. She turned back to them, and her voice changed into something evil and guttural.
"Come. She will earn what she takes. I'll have it no other way..."
All vestiges of the frail old woman vanished and a huge purple dragon stood before them.
...
She was standing in front of Morrigan, holding out Flemeth's grimoire to her.
The surprise and wonder on the witch's face made the battle she had just fought well worth it.
"Flemeth's real grimoire, is it not?" She took the tome reverently, while giving Alyssa a rare, genuine smile that lit up her face.
"I promised I'd do it," Alyssa said quietly. "I always keep my promises."
She could tell Morrigan was touched and deeply moved which surprised her. The witch always held her emotions in check.
"You have my thanks."
Morrigan faltered for a moment. "'Tis a curious thing, I do not know how to describe it..."
"What? Is there something wrong?"
"No, nothing is wrong. I'm reminded of our first meeting in the Wilds. I had been in animal form, watching you for some time and I was intrigued to see such a formidable woman. Far more powerful than the men she was traveling with."
She paused, looking down for a moment, obviously embarrassed, but lifted her yellow eyes to Alyssa and continued.
"I resented it, when Flemeth assigned me to travel with you. I never dreamed you would let me accompany you this far. I thought that as soon as we left Lothering, you would send me away."
"Why would I do that?" Alyssa mused.
"I am aware that I have little...talent...for forming...friendships. I never thought I would need a friend. Yet, when I discovered Flemeth's plans, and revealed them to you, you did not abandon me. You must have fought a terrible battle..."
"I did it because I'm your friend."
"And that is what I don't understand. Of all the things I could have imagined would have resulted when Flemeth told me to go with you, the very last would have been that I would find in you a friend. Perhaps even a sister."
Her eyes were warm now, as they looked into Alyssa's. Then a momentary flash of sadness emerged in them, and there was a brief catch in her voice when she murmured her next words.
"I want you to know that while I may not always prove...worthy...of your friendship, I will always value it."
Morrigan said no more because Alyssa suddenly hugged her. Then she smiled at her before turning and leaving.
The witch smiled back as she watched her go.
But when she turned her gaze to the fire, her smile had vanished and sadness marred her beautiful face once again.
A/N: I'm sorry I haven't written about the rest of the companions' personal quests (such as Shale and Oghren) but I felt I had to focus on the ones that were important to the plot of this fan fic. I hope you all understand. *puppy dog eyes*
Please R&R, thanks! :)