Chapter 38
~Two Roads Diverge~

Morriana

I watched as Shale stood at the edge of the cliff where Caradin had fallen. It seemed as though he was waiting for Caradin to come back up and say "just kidding!" But nothing happened.

"Well . . . that went . . . well." Oghren commented, though I think he really had nothing else to say. I didn't either, so I simply nodded.

"Alistair!" I heard Wynne cried before hearing a slight crash. My heart skipping a beat as I turned to see Sten with an arm wrapped around Alistair's torso holding him up. Alistair was motionless in his arms which caused fear to replace the sorrow I felt in my heart.

I dashed back down to where they were, Oghren following close by. I stopped just in front of them, my hands reaching for Alistair. I pressed my hands to his face, lifting it in hope that his eyes would be open and be full of humor. When they wouldn't I began to panic, shaking his head and calling out his name in attempt to wake him.

"What's wrong with him." I cried as Wynne stood next to me.

"The attack from the broodmother . . . he wasn't completely healed. I think one of his broken ribs caused internal bleeding when we were fighting the golems." By this time I had tears running down my face and did nothing to stop them. Internal bleeding? Please, no. Please just be exhausted and passed out. My plea did not come true as blood began leaking from him mouth. Wynne was suddenly ordering to make camp. I was blind to the others around me as the rest began setting up tents and Wynne ordered Sten to take Alistair into his tent so she and Morrigan could heal him.

"I have before, why should I again?" Morrigan sneered as Sten made his way to Alistair's tent, dragging him there. Rage filled me and I pushed Morrigan against a fallen golem, surprising her, as well as everyone else and held my dagger to her throat.

"Do it or I will have your head." I threatened. I stared into her eyes, letting her soak in the threat. Until I realized what I was doing. I released her and took a step back, dropping the knife. Shame now mixing with me fear. "Please." This time I begged, looking down at the ground in order to hide more tears that fell. "Please help him. I know . . . I know you don't want to, but please." Silence laid between us as I waited for her to answer.

"It shall be done." She replied. My head snapped back up to look at her, as I thought she was joking. But her eyes . . . her glazed yellow eyes told the truth. Without another word she moved past me and strode to the tent where Wynne had already begun healing Alistair. I just stood there, unmoving. Orrick wined at my side, though I couldn't help but ignore him. I was scared, angry, ashamed, and depressed all because my lover is injured and I had threatened one of my own companions and friend.

"Are you alright, Warden?" I turned to see Sten beside me. How he managed to come near me without me hearing him is a mystery. I tried to say something but my throat clenched. The only thing I could do was shake my head. Without thinking, I wrapped my arms around his armored torso. Sten was surprised at the awkward motion and did nothing at first, then land a hand on my shoulder. Feeling his unease I released him, whipping tears from my eyes.

"I'm sorry," I apologized. "I don't know why . . . I'm sorry."

"It is . . . alright, Warden." He turned on his heel no sooner and walked to his tent, probably as exhausted as we were. I stumbled my way over to the tents. Leliana and Duran had made food, though I wasn't sure any of us wanted to eat but rather sleep. Either way, I plopped down next to Lel, keeping my eyes to the stone floor. No one said anything for some time, until Leliana cleared her throat.

"He will be okay, Morriana." She told me, her smooth Orlesian voice being quite relaxing.

"Aye," Duran agreed. "The man is strong. He will pull through." I appreciated their support, but it did nothing to lessen my worry.

"So this is how he feels when I am hurt?" I asked, my voice barley above a whisper.

"No." Lel replied simply. "I think he's usually worse." I couldn't help the chuckle that escaped me. She reached over and pulled me so that my head rested on her shoulder. I hadn't noticed until then, but her armor was off, leaving her in there Orlesian styled tunic and pants. Duran also had his armor removed. I think they were glad to be out of it. My eyes went back to the floor, and after some time my vision darkened.

I woke what seemed like days later to someone shaking my arm.

"Mm . . . what?" I asked, annoyed. I opened my eyes to see Leliana. I suppose once she saw I was asleep she allowed me to rest on her lap. I would have to thank her for that.

"Wynne and Morrigan are finished." She informed me. I sat up so fast I almost hit her.

"What? When? How long have I been out?" She smiled, and I was glad she did not laugh.

"Wynne and Morrigan have finished, about five minutes ago. And maybe a half an hour." In the time, Duran had also fallen asleep where he'd been sitting, and I could hear the faint snore of Sten and Zevran in their tents and Orrick was fast asleep at my side. heard nothing from Oghren's, but that didn't surprise me at the moment.

"Can I . . . see him?" she nodded.

"That is why I woke you. Wynne said you could." I nodded and carefully stood up as to not disturb Orrick. I walked to Alistair's tent stopping just outside and turning to Leliana.

"Lel." She replied with a 'hmm?' and waited for what I wanted to say. "Thank you. For letting me sleep on you and for waking me." She smiled brightly.

"You are welcome, Mori." I turned after that and went into the tent. Alistair laid on his bedroll, his armor and weapons sat in the corner near his left foot so I moved in from the right. Though it was darkened in the tent I could tell he was incredibly pale. Bandages were wrapped around his chest, no doubt to stabilize the ribs where they could not heal him. His blanket lay over his lower body, resting just above his pants line.

I carefully laid next to him and stared at his face in sorrow. Why hadn't he told me he was hurt? Did he not wish to make a fuss? Stupid Chantry bastard. More tears feel, and now that I was in the isolation of the tent with only the unconscious Alistair with me I quietly sobbed. Though he was safe now, the fear of the thought that he could have died was stuck in my mind.

I was suddenly remembered of my mother's death and how I'd felt then. Like I was completely powerless. But I was a child then. I remembered my mother so well. Father said I looked almost exactly like her, so now whenever I look in a mirror I see my mother. I remember how my mother sang to me all the time. Her parents were Dalish, so she knew of the songs and words, though I never learned them. She wanted to wait until I was older and could remember better.

The memory of her lullaby suddenly stuck me. The song at the dance at Redcliff, when I had finally made the decision to give myself to Alistair. Unable to help myself, I began to quietly sing the words to the lullaby I had forgotten so long ago. The words seemed to fall from my mouth, tears falling from my eyes.

It wasn't long after I had finished the song I laid my head next the Alistair's arm and fell fast asleep.

A hand around my back and a hand lying on my arm woke me. I lifted my head from its resting place, wondering who had woken me. My eyes met hazel and I felt my heart skip a beat as I realized Alistair was awake. Little color had returned to him, but he was awake—alive.

"Alistair!" I cried as I pressed my lips to his. He barely had time to react before I crushed him.

"Well," he started weakly when I broke the kiss. "If this is what I get after I get wounded I need to do it more often." I couldn't help but laugh. "Are you alright?" I laughed again.

"I am not the one who was hurt, Alistair." He shrugged.

"Just checking." He shifted, groaning as he did so. "Maker, I feel like Shale sat on me." I placed my hand over his ribs.

"Yes, this might hurt a bit. I'm going to have everyone rest here for a while. We have the crown and we have Orzammar's future king. We are allowed some time to rest and regain energy." He sighed in relief.

"Thank the Maker. I was getting tired of constantly walking through tunnel after tunnel. A good rest is welcome." I shook my head, then rested my head on his shoulder.

"I heard you, you know." I lift myself back up, unsure of what he meant. "I heard you sing, but I don't know what you were singing. What was it?" I bit my lip, thinking back to the words.

"It's a Dalish lullaby. Both of my mother's parents were Dalish. From what my father told me they moved to the city, although I'm not sure why. It was a lullaby my mother grew up with and sang to me . . ." I broke off, looking away as my throat clenches at the memory of my mother.

"Mori?" He puts his hand to my back. I look back at him to see worry on his face. "What's wrong?"

"I just . . . miss her. She died when I was young. Killed." Ignoring his pain, Alistair sat up.

"What? By who?" A tear falls and I quickly whip it away.

"I don't know. I was maybe eight at the time. I just know he was someone important because no guards came to arrest him that day." I wrap my arms around myself, remembering that horrid day. The one that truly began my hate for humans. I flinched as Alistair wrapped his arms around me but calmed as he allowed me to rest my head on his chest. Well, not all humans.

###

We rested another two days until we were all sure that it was time to go back. Wynne and Morrigan finally regained most of their energy so they were able to heal whatever wounds we had before we left. Neither Oghren nor Shale said a word as we began back to Orzammar, both silenced by grief. It wasn't until nearly two "days" of our trip back Shale came to me. Though the golem can show no emotion, I could tell he was hesitant and still upset about Caradin.

"I would . . . like to ask it something." I nodded, already knowing what she wanted.

"I was . . . hoping we could go to this Cadash thaig and find some answers. About me." I smiled at Shale. Oghren had found a memorial dedicated to those who'd given their lives to become golems before we left. Shale had been one of them, where it read 'Shayle of house Cadash.'

"I have already asked Oghren to lead us there. We will break off when we come close. Don't worry, you will find the answers you seek." As much as I desperately wanted out of here, I knew this was important to her. None of the others knew of this plan, but, then again, I was only planning on taking a small group. But I won't think about that until we're out of the dead trenches.

###

This finally happens after about the equivalent of a day of walking. We are finally out of the Dead Trenches and going through the old thaigs. Oghren stopped and turned to me.

"Cadash thaig is that way, I think. It will take us maybe a few hours to reach it." He informs me.

"Oh, we're taking a detour?" Leliana asks, almost sadly. I look at everyone, now realizing I would have to tell them.

"Not all of us. Shale, Zevran, and I are going to Cadash thaig. I want you to come also, Sten." Sten simply nods once and says nothing. "The rest of you, go back to Orzammar and get Duran crowned. Wait for us at the tavern. We won't but a day or so behind, right Oghren?" he nods.

"Give or take."

"Wait, you're not serious?" Alistair stepped forward, clearly not happy.

"We're already down here. And we've just enough supplies to make it to the thaig and back to Orzammar. This is the perfect time for Shale to find answers from her past. I need you in charge and get Duran crowned while we do this."

"And I'm supposed to lead the way back?"

"Well, no. Duran, do you remember the way to Orzammar?" he nods.

"I came this way when I searched for the Legion. I'm pretty sure I can retrace my steps and get us back." I gestured to Duran as a way of saying 'see?' Alistair huffed, and I think he realized I wasn't about to change my mind. At least he learned quickly.

"Take this," Wynne handed me a stone. I looked at her, confused until she put her hand over it and it began glowing. "So long as you hold this it will give you light." I smiled as bright as the stone.

"Thank you, Wynne." She smiled in return. I looked back at my small group and nodded toward the direction we needed to go. "Let's go and make this quick." The nod and I turn to lead them.

"Mori," I heard Alistair call out. I figured he was going to protest more, but I still turn back to face him. "Stay safe." My heart skipped as he said that and gave me his worried-but-loving look.

"Same." I replied. "All of you. I don't want to come back to find out someone got hurt or died. Would really put a damper on my day." I turned, smirking as I heard some scoffs, and followed Shale to Cadash Thaig.

The Lullaby that Morriana sings is the Dalish lullaby from Dragon Age wiki. Didn't want to add the whole thing cause it's a little long.