Duty's Choice: The Bastards of Ferelden - Chapter 3

Arrival at Weisshaupt

Weisshaupt Fortress – about the same time

"That way, mama." Ashling's pudgy hand jutted along the side of Morrigan's head and pointed to their left. Morrigan smiled, with a heft of the pack that carried her child and few possessions, she took her daughter's direction. The child was almost always correct.

Even though spring was on its way, she was trudging through deep snow. The sky was clear and the glare off the snow was painful. Morrigan was exhausted and wished she could do this in wolf or bear form. But Ashling couldn't do that yet, so on they marched. The child was developing in ways Morrigan didn't understand, not that she knew much about children to begin with. Ashling's mind seemed to be greatly outstripping her body, but she still behaved in many ways like an ordinary toddler.

Another few twists and turns and the great fortress of Weisshaupt loomed before mother and child, its gates closed. Morrigan ran the great, brass bell.

A mountain of warrior opened the door a few moments later and blinked in surprise at what waited outside. "Um… hello, miss. Are you lost?"

Morrigan pointedly raised an eyebrow at him. "I am here to find a man named Rainer."

The warrior glanced at the child riding on the strange woman's back and ushered them through the courtyard and into the castle. He settled them before the fire in the Great hall and went to find Rainer.

First Warden Rainer sat behind his desk, mind numbingly bored by the dry reports in front of him. He wished that some interesting would happen.

Truth be told, he'd been restless since Elinora Cousland left him behind in Val Foret. He'd received a few reports here and there from her, but there was nothing personal in them, nothing to imply that their relationship had been anything more than business.

A sad smile always clung to his face when he thought of her. He was the one who said that the affair would be simple. He had given her total control over its direction. What she had wanted was a brief reprieve from her loneliness, but he had to admit to himself that he wanted more. He'd hoped that she would toss aside king and command to stay with him.

But that was not in Elinora Cousland's nature, and one of the reasons he loved her.

A knock on his door pulled him out of his thoughts. Barth stood in the doorway with a very perplexed look on his face. "There's a woman asking for you, and she's brought a child."

"What?" Rainer moved quickly for the Great Hall. It would be just his luck if one of the two women he'd known between Idetta and Elinora would turn up with a child. So much for the difficulty of Wardens conceiving.

His thoughts froze as he met the gaze of the woman beside the fire. He had never seen her before; he would remember those amber eyes and the dark look she was giving him. "You sent Zevran to find me."

It took Rainer a moment to remember. It had been quite some time ago. "Right, the elf assassin. You must be Morrigan."

"I am." She motioned to a chair besides the fire with its high back to Rainer. "This is my daughter, Ashling."

The girl turned in her chair to look at Rainer. He gasped at the sight of her. And the sense.

From across the Warden bond, he could feel her presence, general mood and state of health. Right now, she was curious and hungry. Her golden eyes blinked as she smiled at him.

"Barth," Rainer began, "could you please have some tea and something to eat brought up?"

Barth's eyes were on Ashling as well, but he shook his head at his name. "Right, commander. Be right back." The big man headed for the kitchens.

Rainer continued to stare at Ashling, who happily stared right back. "My apologies for his behavior. I don't think he's seen a woman since El left us, and Maker knows how long for a child."

"So Elinora is no long here?"

"No, she went to Ferelden to take up her command. Last report I had from her put her in Orzammar." He turned to look at Morrigan. "But I don't believe that you've come to check up on your old companion. What is it you want?"

Morrigan looked to Ashling, then turned to the fire. "I seek the Grey Warden's protection for me and my daughter."

"Protection from what?"

"Templars and the Chantry, mostly." Morrigan shuttered a fraction at the memory of their small hut burning. Ashling had gotten away from her and found people. Morrigan didn't know exactly what happened, but the child had terrified a group of bandits enough that they went running for the closest Chantry. The Templars found them a few days later. "She's developing a curiosity about people, one I would rather feed than fight. In exchange for our shelter and safety, I will instruct those who wish it."

"Does that include the ritual that created…" Rainer glanced to Ashling and thought better of his word choice, "that saved the Wardens from the Archdemon."

Morrigan nodded.

"Welcome to Weisshaupt."