Daughter of Tethras

Disclaimer: Don't own Dragon Age

A/N: Sorry it took so long to get this out, I got stuck and then a number of things happened in my life that kept me busy. Here you go, the next chapter.

Chapter 42 (Answers from the Ancients)

Bianca marched on the wilds with her father at her side. Harding was leading forces elsewhere, but her presence was felt as strongly as the concern in Varric's watchful eyes. She walked firmly and her eyes scanned the area for any and every threat she could detect.

Cassandra followed her closely while Solas walked alongside Morrigan in the front, arguing over some of her methods but agreeing on others. Bianca found herself unable to focus too largely on this conversation, but on her imminent thoughts.

Morrigan and Solas said the Arbors were home to a presence that felt older than anything they knew, and something Solas wound up muttering enough for her to hear had Bianca feeling like answers to some of the most ancient secrets could be found here. Still, she didn't know that for certain, but she did take note of Solas's discomfort.

Hell, the well they were after was said to be ancient, and Morrigan mentioned the temple in the Wilds being ancient. "I wonder if we'll find answers here," Bianca said to her father. Varric hummed with contemplation and shrugged.

"If we get to this well before Corypheus, perhaps." All along they'd been after the Eluvian mirror, up until they saw Corypheus regenerate using the body of a Grey Warden and mention a well of sorrows.

When they charged after him, they wound up running into the leader of the Venatori, who had been blindly following Corypheus. They had to dispatch some of these people before progressing; it wasn't as troubling as it used to be, for Bianca had one goal in mind that kept her pushing forward: Save the people of Thedas, and get on Isabela's boat as soon as she could.

Soon.

Soon she wouldn't have to fear the Carta any longer, soon she wouldn't have to look over her shoulder to see if her mother was lurking. She didn't want to say she didn't care about the fate of Thedas, she did; she just wanted to be done with everything.

Morrigan looked over to her and casually approached. "You have not spoken much since we've arrived. There is something on your mind?"

"You know what's on my mind right now, but I have to focus on Corypheus."

"I hope you are not rushing and that you will be truly ready to take him on."

"I will be ready." She was less afraid of Corypheus than she was her own mother, but she respected him as an enemy. With the help of her father and with Leliana, she studied him enough to try and understand him. "What about you?"

"I am will aid in any way that I am able, but I do have one request for you." Morrigan glanced downward, her knuckles turning white on her staff. Bianca raised her hand to signal the others to stop. Whatever was going on with Morrigan, she wanted to know; if there was anything she could do, she would. "It's hardly appropriate timing, but this matter has been on my mind."

"What is it?"

"You and your father will be leaving us once Corypheus is done, correct? I…" Morrigan's voice trailed off as her chin dipped. Bianca pursed her lips and looked to her father, who casually glanced back. Morrigan took a deep breath and raised her head back. "I assume that has not changed."

"No, it hasn't. What's on your mind?"

"I confess that I wish to find answers here to the questions that I have." The woman grasped her left wrist and looked away to the right, her eyes were half-lidded and her bangs seemed to sway loosely before the somber gaze. "I have been studying on these ancient spells to find anything I can about this barrier that seems to shield the rest of the world from Thedas-however it appears Hawke and Isabella know more than I do."

"They don't have all the answers." An exhale fell from her lips and she shook her head gently. "I'm afraid none of us do."

"My concern is for Kieran." Her breath grew shallow and everyone stopped to listen. "I spoke with Leliana and she said that she and David are tossing about the idea of going with your group. If it comes to it, I would like for Kieran to go with them."

She furrowed her brow and waited for Morrigan's gaze to connect with hers. "Morrigan, I-I would think that would be something you need to discuss with them-"

"I will."

"So what are you asking me?"

"I'm saying, I know I can't leave. I must stay." She felt a pang of sorrow in her chest and frowned as a tear ran away from the woman's eye. "Thedas is as dangerous as you know, and something terrible is coming, I can feel it. I have to stay where I'm needed, but I cannot protect my son."

"But you would send your son away?"

Morrigan took a deep breath and held it. As she released her breath of air, she raised her hand up and over to Varric. "Varric, surely you understand the lengths a parent would go through to protect their child." Varric exhaled and his eyes drifted towards Bianca. "If you could have known all of this would occur, if you had any control over whet her or not your daughter…"

"I would have given anything to keep Bianca away from all of this," he replied with a calm and quiet voice. Bianca smiled sadly as her father's gaze drifted back to Morrigan. "If I had the ability, I would have protected her from the Carta, from Marcus and Amelia…from even her own mother."

"You'd give your life, you'd sacrifice everything to know she was safe."

"Yeah."

"So would I for my son."

"But I also know what it's like to not have that ability." Varric walked towards Morrigan, reassuring her with a smile. She was trembling and looked to be filled with uncertainty. His smile faded as he swept his hand through his hair. "I know what it's like to be unable to do anything; to have your child taken from you and never see her."

His eyes grew misty and he turned his head. Bianca remained quiet, letting her eyes fill with fresh tears as she listened to the shaking of her father's voice. "Never see her first steps, never hear her first words-to see her eyes light up when she discovers something new and amazing, or to be there to wipe away her tears when she gets her first big cut or scrape." She chuckled once through her tears and watched the smile grow on Morrigan's face

"Maybe I should really be talking to David and Leliana, to see what they want." A flash of realization flickered in the woman's eyes, and her somber expression turned to horror. "Am I as bad as Davri? Have I kept Kieran away his father? I don't even know how David feels-I only assumed."

"I don't think you kept your son away from him for any malicious reasons." Varric shrugged and Morrigan moved her hand over her mouth. "I would hardly compare you with Bianca's mother."

"But I told David ten years ago that Kieran would never know his father, I did not stop to consider whether he wanted to know his son or not. I must be a terrible person."

Varric groaned and turned away. "Stop that." He closed his hands, growling through clenched teeth. Bianca raised her eyebrows and looked at Cassandra and Solas; they seemed to be focused on the environment around them as though they wanted no part of the conversation. "Yes that's selfish, and I can't respect a woman keeping their child away from its father if he's a good person, for obvious reasons, but it seems like you at least care for the kid. You're not a bad person, you just made a decision ten years ago that can't be changed. You can make a choice now about what you want to do about it."

"You are right." Morrigan nodded and took a sharp breath. "You're a wise man, Varric." Varric started back down the path, motioning the others to follow. He breathed huskily and shook his head.

"I'm not wise, I've just been through shit. Shit I'm ready to put behind me."

"You will soon!" Solas grinned. The others looked to the elf and Varric chuckled. "Once you and your daughter start on that expedition you've got planned."

"Yeah, and the sooner we get through this, the sooner we can leave." Varric grabbed his crossbow and started to aim it. Bianca furrowed her brow and looked in the direction of the aim and let out a sigh when she saw a red Templar knight; it was a grim reminder of where they were. "So let's get this show on the road."

He fired off an arrow that pierced through the eye slit of the helmet. The red templar's body jerked and crumpled to the ground as a fountain of blood shot from the helm.

Rushing through the Wilds, they came across a ghastly sight of Corypheus not only dying, but being resurrected through the body of a grey warden. It was horrific, and led them to question how killing him would be possible.

They also came across a path where they could pay respect to the ancients, or follow Samson. Morrigan convinced Bianca to take the path of puzzles, even though she preferred to race after Samson; she just didn't want to take chances.

It paid off in the most startling way, however, as they entered an extravagant room of a large temple. Many of the odd elves they saw throughout the Wilds appeared behind them with arrows drawn, and one that appeared to be the leader approached from a balcony above. He was tall, had a strange tattooed insignia on his forehead, and was wearing a hooded cloak.

"I am Abelas," spoke the elf, "You are unlike the other invaders. You have shown respect to Mythal." He scratched at his chin and narrowed his eyes. "Why are you here?"

"We're here to stop Corypheus, he wants your well." Their conversation went on and as realization of just who these elves were sank in, Bianca's heartbeat seemed to stop with all of time.

These were ancient elves. The very elves that may have been around when the barrier was erected. Now wasn't the time to ask all the questions on her mind, but she had to know. "Abelas please, when this is over, I have a question for you."

"We shall see, but first, I must tend to the well. It cannot be despoiled, even if I must destroy it myself." He then took off, which led Morrigan to take flight after him.

As the shock left the group, they noticed the guide for the first time that would lead them to their destination. The guide took them through shimmering corridors with beautiful murals that distracted Bianca's eye.

Soon they were out, and left to stop Samson. It didn't take much, since the stone Dagna made was able to negate his lyrium-infused armor. When they finished their fight with him, they raced up to the well where Morrigan appeared before Abelas.

"Stop!" Bianca cried out in alarm. "We're not here to do anything to degrade your well, we're simply trying to stop Corypheus." Abelas grunted and Morrigan sighed.

"The well could be useful," Morrigan replied, "Even if we don't do something since Samson is gone, Corypheus could still return."

The argument of what to do with the well went on until Abelas gave cryptic information regarding it. Still, other questions weighed on her mind and Abelas kept looking to her as though he knew. Her posture and expressions gave away the yearning to get out her thoughts.

Eventually he caved. "It seems you had something you wished to ask of me?"

"Yes, what do you know about the ancient barrier that surrounds Thedas and keeps it from the rest of the world?" Abelas's eyes went large and his chin dropped a bit as silence filled the air. Even the birds and rustling leaves seemed to fall quiet.

"That was so long ago, why do you wish to know of it?"

"Because we've been granted passage out of Thedas. Once Corypheus is finished. Some of our companions have concerns." Abelas raised his head and started to sigh. "We understand because our captain went through it and was told some information about it, such as mages and elves are denied passage…"

"In general, yes." Abelas locked his wrists behind his back and paced to the right. "The guardian of the barrier may or may not have mercy, but magic cannot pass through Thedas. Elves are denied for their own protection, as the rest of the world would not understand them." Abelas tan his finger across the flesh of his lower lip and sighed. "It isn't a perfect world, but the barrier was designed to protect it from all that Thedas has been tainted with through the practice of magic."

"What will we find when we pass through?"

"A world that is far more advanced. Things that you may not understand." She raised her eyebrows and a spark of intrigue fell from her heart. "Magic cannot pass through, it will be snuffed from the very person at a price…much like using this well."

"I see." She lowered her gaze and her expression grew tense with worry. They had only one mage she knew of that wanted to go, and that was Thane's sister, Bethany. "Um…" Raising her head, she thought of her heroes and wished to know if the taint within Grey Wardens would affect them going through the barrier. "What about grey wardens?"

Abelas crossed his arms and looked to the sky which seemed to swell above them. "Like the mage, they too will be cleansed, but at a price which will be decided by the guardian of the barrier."

Great risk was involved in adventure. Oghren was already adamant about taking that risk, so there was no way of talking him out of it. David and Bethany could be different, so she wanted to let Leliana and Thane know that there was risk involved, and they could all decide for themselves what was best.

"Outside of Thedas, you will find a very scientific world, I cannot promise passage through that barrier will be easy; but I can say if you do, the guardian will not let you return and erase the location of Thedas from memory."

"So we won't even be able to try and come back?"

` "Exactly. As those who enter from outside will never be permitted to leave. You leave a world behind for a brand new world, you can take nothing that would be a threat to that world and nothing from that world will be allowed."

"So a mage attempting passage could die?" Morrigan asked, her voice trembling with anxiety. Abelas slid his eyes towards her and nodded.

"There is a risk of anything. The guardian may decide what it is you lose." Morrigan curled her hand over her chest and looked to the others with a deep frown. Abelas turned to Bianca and swept his hand up in the air. "May I ask why you are leaving?"

"A lot of it has to do with the demons, the darkspawn, the dragons, blights and just an overall lack of good memories here in Thedas. Aside from that, there's the excitement of seeing a new world. Exploration and adventure."

"Hold on to that last part," Solas chimed in. The others turned to him and he shrugged. "The outside may not suffer what Thedas does and may remain untouched by magic, but that doesn't mean they might not have demons of their own. Evil and corruption exist anywhere."

"That's expected," Varric replied with a mutter, "Half the evil done to us in our lifetime was inflicted by people that couldn't perform magic. Even still, I'm not sure what's worse between my ex, the Cadash family, and a hundred blood mages with demons and darkspawn."

Morrigan chuckled. "At least Davri can't change into an archdemon." Varric's eyes grew wide and he slowly reached for his bow, causing the woman to put her hands up. "I'm kidding!"

Bianca shook her head and turned away from the group, focusing solely on Abelas. "So, sir, what's the history?" Abelas raised an eyebrow and she moved her hands behind her back. "I've heard said that ancient dwarves were really just humans…"

"That's true. There are but two races: Human and Elven."

"What about Qunari?"

Abelas smirked, his sharp gaze growing narrower. "There were some 'mentally curious' humans among the group of ancient humans that travelled to this land." Her lips formed an oval as his words sank in. "Qunari were created through a combination of magical experimentation and beastiality."

Cassandra let out a disgusted groan and rolled her eyes. "Let's remember not to tell Iron Bull he's right about his ancestors mixing blood with that of animals." The others murmured their agreement, knowing there was no way of knowing how Bull would take learning the Qunari theory was true. "So I'm guessing there's a reason Tevinters and Qunari don't get along?"

"Well, the Tevinters were the first group of humans, they were the ones that intermingled with our ancient elven race and also used the power of blood magic to try and strengthen themselves by combining the infusing the blood of powerful animals within their own flesh…of course the Qunari eventually formed their own race and broke away, since they were being used as slaves."

"Oh."

"Now the Elven race came first in this continent, and our Elven gods were simply living beings that first came to discover magic. A coven of Elven friends; Mythal, Fen'Harel, and so on. They infused the ability to use magic into their genes, and thereby became gods. They used their 'gift' to push the ability to use magic into the bloodlines of fellow Elvish people that came to them asking for the ability. It was something sought out in the early days, not something that anyone was afraid of."

It sounded like magic hadn't been used for dangerous or malicious purposes at first, but power like that always had potential for misuse and corruption. "I can't imagine having power like that not leading to corruption," Bianca stated, repeating her thoughts. Abelas nodded and turned around, gazing up at the sky.

"You are correct. Those using the ability quickly learned to take advantage. Mythal was murdered because she wished to find a way to undo the act of using magic."

Abelas looked down and his shoulders fell. "As for your ancient dwarves and the reason they cannot perform magic, it is simply that the humans chose to stay away from the war caused by magic and humans breeding with native elves. This group was small, two or three different families of humans with stunted growth that kept to themselves and hid away, forming their own society near the outskirts of the continent."

He turned back to the group, his hand moving slowly through the air in front of him. "It was not long before we determined that we had to protect the rest of the world from what we discovered, and thus erected a barrier said to be guarded by Fen'Harel and other ancient 'gods'.

"Okay." Varric tapped his foot on the ground and squinted, his expression fueling with curiosity. "So that's the story behind Qunari and Dwarves, but what about the elves? Where do you come from? Why were the elves the only race in Thedas and why only here in Thedas?"

"Curious question." Abelas stroked his chin while the others waited patiently. Bianca wanted to know the answer more now that her father thought of it, as she hadn't wondered it beforehand. "Even the ancients of our time were uncertain. It is believed we evolved from a creature not found anywhere else in the world, one that is extinct now."

"What does that theory come from?"

"Interestingly enough, your own ancestors." Varric's eyebrows rose. "They found fossils and bones of a four legged creature from long ago that had pointed ears and sharp teeth. There were earlier fossils found that seemed to depict this creature at a later date with opposable thumbs and bones that indicated it was using its hind legs to walk."

"So the elven race evolved from an animal long dead?"

"That is the closest theory anyone has of our race, and it was found by your people."

"Amazing."

"Thedas was once a beautiful and remarkable land, but the discovery of magic twisted it."

"I suspect that discovery has something to do with lyriuim?"

"Yes, but there is a kind of plant with a certain type of crystal found deep in a cavern within the heart of Thedas that bore the elemental properties which gave the ancients the ability to control the elements. Over time, people have learned to cultivate this element, and that element is lyrium itself."

Lyrium was the key to everything, and it was likely forbidden above all else at the barrier. The ancients must have infused it somehow in their bloodstream; but this was all of little concern.

For the most part, Bianca had the answers she was looking for. While some of it made her exceptionally nervous for her friends, it bolstered her desire to see the world outside of Thedas.

"I'm actually excited to see what we'd find out there." She smiled gently and looked at her father, who matched her smile. "It'll be interesting to see a world that doesn't rely on magic."

"Yes." Abelas sighed and lowered his arms to his sides. "I do hope you find the adventure you seek and more."

"Thank you." She gave a respectful nod and waited as he returned a nod of his own before leaving. Turning to the well, she knew Morrigan still wanted to use it in order to help stop Corypheus. "Now, about this well…"

"I'm going to stop you there," Varric replied, "If anyone's using that well, it's going to be Morrigan." She raised an eyebrow and the others looked slowly to Varric, who was staring with fatherly determination and a certain demeanor. "There's no way in hell I'm letting you drink that shit if there's some sort of price or something like that."

"But-"

"No buts."

"I wasn't even thinking of doing that…" She chuckled softly and motioned to the well. "Morrigan? Are you sure? I think Abelas was talking about some sort of compulsion or whatever. Bound to the will of Mythal."

Morrigan glanced nervously at the well, taking a deep breath. "Yeah, I am still willing to partake. Unless you can think of someone better suited?"

"Solas?"

"No," Solas replied firmly, "Do not ask again."

"So be it." She took a step back and took a deep breath. "Go ahead, Morrigan." There was a strange sensation coming from the well that she didn't quite like, but she trusted at the same time that it wouldn't be terrible. Of course, it had to do with magic once again, and that was something she was growing tired of more now than ever.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Give your thoughts and opinions. The fight with Corypheus comes soon, and then we'll be seeing the Mother, Davri, again. The conclusion to this tale is coming soon, and a new adventure awaits.