Thankful Friends

From Redcliffe to Ozrammar, 9:30, Kingsway 17th Evening

The last three days had been exhausting for Natasha, Mikhail could see it. Two days after arriving at Redcliffe Castle the mage had awakened, thanks to something Morrigan had done. While Wynne had been troubled about the exact nature of the curing, for the other companions it had only been open joy to see the 'storm-witch' under the living again. The following days the companions had to reason with an increasingly restless mage, Natasha wishing to lose no more time and Mikhail wanting to give her some additional rest. He had hoped to wait a few days more, but at the end Natasha nearly had to be bound to the bed to hold her there. So they started their journey to Ozrammar, the mage recuperating from her illness and trying hard to not slow down the group.

Fergus had established a messenger route between Redcliffe and his Chasind camp before returning to 'his' people. How long would it be before he saw him again?

"Sten? I'm thankful that you helped me with Flemeth. Surely without you I would have died. But didn't you promise to stand back?"

"Yes, I did. But before we left the camp, Iona demanded another promise from me. That I protect you from whatever dangerous plan you have in mind."

"She is very insightful at times, isn't she?" Natasha smiled.

"Yes, she is not as shallow as others. And apart from her wish I would have helped you anyhow. Your life is worth more than a broken word. For Mikhail, I mean."

"I never would assume otherwise."

From Redcliffe to Ozrammar, 9:30, Kingsway 17th Late Evening

The camp had gone quiet. With Alistair standing watch, Morrigan and Natasha now had some time to speak. Both were a bit uneasy and more than once one of the women started to talk, only to stop immediately. At last Morrigan broke the silence.

"There is a story I wanted to tell you since Lothering. It is not very important but … you'll see. Living in the wilderness had been a bit lonely sometimes, so I left from time to time to visit the humans around, see how they live. On one of my trips I met your cousin Tamara as you know. On another … I met a girl. She wore a dress sewn from good but old and worn cloth and simple shoes. All in all she was nothing special apart from her stance. She behaved like a noblewoman, waving her hand here and nodding there to an unseen audience. From time to time she looked into a mirror like I've never seen before: Crafted from gold, with red jewels all around, a large one sitting at the pommel, the rear side adorned with the picture of a charging stag."

"I followed her around, watching her doing, adoring this mirror. I never had something like that or something valuable altogether. After a while someone called her, her mother I think. She hid the mirror in a hollow tree stump and followed the call. I crept to the stump and fetched the mirror. At first I only wanted to look into it. Never had I seen myself in such clarity. From minute to minute I wanted more to keep the mirror and at last … I stole it."

"For a few days I was happy, pushing away any thoughts about the girl, relishing in the use of the mirror. Then Flemeth fetched me with it. She was … furious, because I endangered myself with my trips to the village. She wanted to teach me a lesson and smashed the mirror on the floor. I was heartbroken. But I learned the lesson. It made me stronger. Beauty and earthly belongings are fleeting."

Staying quiet for some time, Morrigan pulled out Flemeth's Grimoire at last. "This is not fleeting, neither the book nor your deed in fetching the book. You've pulled me some time, years I hope, to prepare. Flemeth will be back someday, but now I have at least a chance to protect myself. I can't really express my gratitude."

With a solemn face Natasha responded. "I'm happy that I was able to help you. And you have already paid back in saving me, even if I have to discuss the circumstances with Zevran someday." A grim smile crossed her lips.

"Don't hurt him too much, Natasha. He's really trashable from time to time, but that night he had been … useful. And someone had to do the task. You surely hadn't preferred Mikhail or even Alistair."

"No, he had been the best choice … among the men."

Fighting with their emotions it was Morrigan to break the new silence. "As we met first time, as Flemeth ordered me to accompany Mikhail and you … I never expected that it would end this way. You know that I see emotions as a weakness, be it friendship or … love. Emotions induced you to fight my mother, risk your life to help me. But I start to see you as a friend too, perhaps even more. You called me Siha, protecting sister. I think I can risk seeing you the same way."

"But I have to warn you. Growing up in the wilderness with Flemeth influenced me more than you can imagine. I will never … feel the same way as you do, never …"

Natasha stopped Morrigan's oral fluency by touching her lips with her index finger. "I know. I'll never expect otherwise. I'll be happy for all what I get from you in the way of friendship. Only allow me to show my friendship to you. That's all I ask from you."

"I always will."

It was the first night since a long time that Natasha slumped to sleep with a smile on her face.