Morrigan

We're strange allies
With warring hearts
What wild-eyed beast you be
The space between
The wicked lies we tell
And hope to keep us safe from the pain

Morrigan couldn't be certain how it happened that she was to travel beside Alistair this day. Perhaps it was the world balancing out a spectacular night with the worst day possible to follow? A sigh escaped her and the fool walking next to her looked at her with concern and a certain reluctance. "Are you all right?" He asked quietly.

"I am fine Alistair." Morrigan retorted wrinkling her nose at him. "And were I not 'twould be no concern of yours." He nodded at her, his idiot face lighting with what must be relief and she was spared his voice for a few minutes before he asked his next fool question.

"So tell me, was the Tower of Magi everything you thought it would be?" Came the inevitable inquiry.

"Abominations running rampant? Templars ready to slaughter every mage in sight?" Morrigan drawled. "Yes, it rather met all my expectations."

His next question was even more stupid if that was possible. Morrigan nearly ground her teeth. "You don't think you might have been better off getting your training there? Instead of whatever your mother taught you?"

The witch rolled her eyes. "You're right. My mother didn't nearly have as many abominations running about. That certainly would have improved my education."

At least her point seemed to have gotten across as Alistair considered. "Hmm. I'll give you that one."

Morrigan sighed slightly, "I'm so relieved." She shook her head wondering what had gone wrong with the day. Cogburn had spoken with his sister that morning and appeared slightly annoyed, but had kissed Maddie's cheek and flashed a smile at Morrigan before heading down the road to scout for the company. Normally he'd scout for a while, come back and Maddie, Zevran or Leliana would scout for a time. Today it seemed he was gone for quite some time.

Morrigan frowned and then thought of a way she could lighten her mood. "I have a wonder, Alistair, if you will indulge me."

It was the Knight's turn to sigh. "Do I have a choice?"

Silkily Morrigan inquired. "Of the three of you that remain, are you not the senior Grey Warden here? I find it curious that you allow others to lead, while you follow."

"You find that curious, do you?" Alistair sounded almost bored.

Morrigan continued, "In fact, you defer to new recruits. Is this a policy of the Grey Wardens? Or simply a personal one?"

"What do you want to hear? That I prefer to follow? I do." Alistair shrugged, his expression annoyed.

"You sound so very defensive." The witch drawled in amusement.

"Couldn't you crawl into a bush somewhere and die? That would be great, thanks." Alistair sighed heavily, as if extremely put upon.

Morrigan smiled to herself and looked ahead to the road before them. Maddie was hurrying forward slightly to meet Cogburn where he stood in the middle of the road. The twins were talking, Maddie becoming slightly more animated as Cogburn's head shook. Finally the girl threw her hands in the air and made a gesture that said clearly to everyone watching that she was supremely annoyed with her sibling. Cogburn grabbed her shoulders and gestured down the road, making a slashing motion across his throat. The argument continued as the rest of the group slowly moved forward until they heard Cogburn's words. "All right, Denerim it is, but the first sign of trouble and we're out of there like Rooster after rats."

Maddie's delight was clear when she jumped on her twin and hugged him. Morrigan chuckled to herself. She wanted Cogburn in her bed again, as soon as she could manage, but Maddie was the closest she'd ever had to a friend besides Cogburn. When the twins rejoined the rest of the group Cogburn spoke with Zevran briefly before the elf trotted off down the road. Maddie sent Alistair a warm smile as she jogged past them towards the rear of the company. The male Cousland sent Morrigan a slow wicked grin and nodded at Alistair before he assumed his position at the head of the group.

Alistair looked at the back of Cogburn's head and then at Morrigan. "So what's the deal with you and him, anyway? Dare I ask?"

Morrigan arched an eyebrow. "Him? Him who? Is this supposed to mean something to me?"

The ex Templar rolled his eyes. "You know exactly who I'm talking about. Mister Let's-Make-Kissy-Faces over there."

"My, my. You are jealous, aren't you?" She chuckled. "Did I take your favorite Grey Warden away from you?"

"What?" Alistair shook his head. "I'm not jealous! I'm horrified. And he's hardly my favorite."

Morrigan smirked at him, knowing exactly which Grey Warden was his favorite. "Those blushing cheeks of yours tell a different tale."

"These blushing cheeks are terrified that you'll suck all the blood out of them once you're done with him." Alistair blustered.

"If I feel the need to suck on anything of yours, Alistair, you'll be the first to know." Morrigan drawled, lips curving in a wicked smile.

Alistair looked repulsed. "That... was so not what I meant."

"Perhaps we should go and tell him together of your touching concerns? Perhaps he'll pay more attention to you if you ask nicely." Morrigan tilted her head in mock thoughtful concern.

The Knight shook his head. "Uh-huh. I think we're done here."

Morrigan couldn't help chuckling again. "Done before you started, in fact."

She looked at the Grey Warden beside her and realized he was looking a bit pale. Ahead of them the walls of Denerim rose in the distance.

TBC