Alistair watched Theron skillfully step down the steep slope to the village, where the warrior had stumbled only minutes ago. He would never understand how the elf could be so graceful all the time.

Theron gazed at him quizzically as he approached, "What?" He asked

"Nothing. Did you come to get me? Is it time for the ritual?" Alistair asked

Theron shook his head, "No, not yet. I actually came to give you this." He replied, as he reached into his pocket and pulled out the necklace.

Alistair was confused for moment, then his eyes nearly fell out of his head. "Where did you find this?!"

"In the Arl's study. It's yours then, is it? I wasn't sure." Theron replied

Alistair examined it some more, "Yes... this is my mother's, I'm sure of it... wait, in the Arl's study? What were you doing in there?"

Theron shrugged, "I like books."

"This was in a book?"

"No, it was in the desk. I was going to ask you, is that rude? To go through someone's desk?" Theron asked

Alistair smiled at him, "Yes. That is very rude, and very frowned upon. Try not to do it again." He looked back down at the necklace, "Still... I'm glad you did... I can't believe you found this.. but what was it doing it there?"

The elf shrugged, "Maybe you mean more to Eamon than you think."

Alistair's eyes suddenly snapped up to Theron's, how was it possible for the elf to always know to say what he wanted time hear most? And how he said it so casually, like it should have been the most obvious thing in the entire world...

"I... I suppose you may be right. If he wakes up- when he wakes up... I'm going to ask him about this. Thank you, Theron." Alistair replied

"Anytime." He said lightly, "By the way, have you seen Morrigan?"

Alistair made a gagging noise, "No. Why?"

Theron chuckled, "The last time I saw her, she was looking a but disturbed, was all. I thought I'd check in."

"Hmm... now that you mention it... I think she headed up to the tavern last I saw." Alistair replied

Theron grinned, "Thanks, Alistair."

The elf found the witch sitting at the bar, staring into her drink, with a certain intensity in her eyes. He sat down in the stool next to hers, "Hey, are you all right?"

She glanced over to him, "I have been studying mother's writings... and I've learned how she's lived so very long..." her words trailed off

"All right! Let me take guesses!" Theron replied, trying to lighten the mood, "She... eats puppies! Drinks baby's blood!"

"That's not as far from the truth as you would think." She replied, and there was something in her eyes that made a chill run down his spin.

"Oh... what does she do?" He asked, and instantly wished he hadn't as she began explaining how Flemeth would literally take over her daughter's body. They talked back and forth about why they thought she'd risk sending Morrigan with Theron if that were true, and how soon it would happen, and eventually, what they planned to do about it.

"There is only one plan of action. We have to kill Flemeth."

Theron sputtered some of his drink, "What? Kill her?"

"If we don't, she'll kill me!" Morrigan argued, "Tis self-defense!" Theron grew quiet as he began to think, "I need your help, I cannot do it alone." He frowned at his cup, "Theron... please."

He sighed, "What, exactly, is your plan?"

"You would have to go there without me. If I go with you, I can't guarantee that she wouldn't be able to possess me right then. After you've dealt with here, I need you to find her true writings-"

"Okay, so, let me get this straight:" Theron interrupted, "you want me to go to your house, murder your mother, then go back to camp and report to you?"

She sighed in frustration, "She won't stay dead, you'd only be killing a piece of her."

Theron's eyebrows scrunched together, "That just confuses me."

She let out a third sigh, "Will you help me?"

He stared into his drink, thinking it over. *Kill an an ancient and probably all powerful witch because Morrigan told you to? Not to mention, Flemeth is the only reason I'm alive today- Oh, well, damn. When I put it that way. "All right. Fine, I'll help you." Her eyes lit up, and it was as if a weight visibly lifted off her shoulders. "So, any tips for killing your mother?"

He found himself sighing as he basically began to climb his way back to the castle. Damn humans and their obsession with putting important things on mountains. This was beginning- Oh, who was he kidding? This whole thing was completely ridiculous. Tamlen, The Blight, Flemeth... how did everyone expect him to deal with this? He barely considered an adult in his clan.

He walked straight into something, "Oh, I'm sorry." He said, as he looked up, to find it was Sten he had run into. "I didn't see you there."

"I find that difficult to believe." He replied, as cold as ever.

Theron grinned, "Sorry, I was just distracted, and couldn't stop myself in time. Want to walk back up to the castle with me?"

Sten didn't reply, just fell in step with the rogue as he began waking again.

"I have a question." The giant suddenly blurted out

"What is it?" Theron inquired, this was unusual. Sten didn't usually talk to him, much less ask questions.

"The Blight. How will you stop it?" He asked

"Oh." Theron replied, and shoved his hand in his jacket pocket, letting a look of exasperation rest on his face for a moment, before slapping on a grin. "I thought we'd just ask the Archdemon to please leave. Think it'll work?"

"No." He replied bluntly

Theron shrugged, "It was worth asking." He said lightly

"If you hope to slay it with wit, I suggest you arm yourself first." Sten suddenly shot at him, "I have heard amazing stories of Grey Wardens before."

"Yeah, so have I." Theron muttered, I know I don't live up to your damn stories, you don't need to remind me.

"I've heard that they are great strategists, and fearless warriors. So far, I am unimpressed."

Theron knew he was in no place to argue, and yet he still felt himself growing defensive. "I'm not here to impress you, Sten." He shot back.

The giant turned his gaze to the elf, and Theron stared up at him in response. Was that... admiration he just saw in the warrior's eye?

"Evidently not." He agreed, "It only remains to be seen what you are here for, elf."

Theron sighed, "I hope I'm here to stop the Blight."

"Do not hope." Sten replied, and Theron felt his confidence deflate, "Make it so."

He finished, and the elf's eyes snapped up to look the giant in the face. Sten was looking straight ahead, a refused to acknowledge the further. Theron felt a smile creep onto his face.

With companions like these, how did the Blight stand a chance against him?