Dragon 9:25, 25th Cloudreach

MARKET DISTRICT, DENERIM

Mahria was strolling down the market district with her mother, brother and Anders. They wanted to buy some presents for Rieska and children as mage would leave next day to Gwaren. After they bought everything they proceeded to Gnawed Noble Tavern for a drink. 'Ah, my feets… they are all swollen up.' Mahria sighed when she sat behind one of the tables. Tavern was full of nobles who waved their hands at Mahria and Eleonora to greet them.

'Your Teyrnship, I need to go to Wonders of Thedas to buy some supplies. May I leave for a moment?' Mahria looked at mage with interest.

'Oh, you want to go there? I'll go with you. I was always wondering what mage shop looks like. Mother, you will join us or will you stay here?' Mahria turned her head to her mother and waited for a reply.

'Oh no, no. Go my dear, I'll stay here with Fergus.'

'But, mom! I want to see it as well!' Fergus frowned at his mother. 'Please, mom.'

'No, young man! You will stay here. It's not a place for you and there is nothing to be interested about.' Eleonora was adamant at her son's pleads. 'Go, Mahria. But please be quick. I want to return to the palace as soon as possible.'

'Fine. Let's go, ser mage.' They left Mahria's mother and brother and proceeded to the shop. It was famous for it's magical and exotic wares. They entered it and Mahria gasped in shock. 'Whoa… it's far more that I could ever imagine.'

'Yes, it is, your Teyrnship.' Anders stated with a smirk. 'Most of people are afraid of magic so they don't come here. But it's like paradise to me.' They walked in further to be stopped by hooded woman.

'Well, well… what have we here?' Her low voice ringed in their ears. 'Isn't it Teyrna Mahria Mac Tir? The most powerful woman in whole Ferelden?' She approached Mahria and put off her hood. She had black hair and yellow, glowing eyes. 'And here I thought I'd have some difficulty with contacting you.'

'And who are you if I may ask?'

'Such manners… You can call me Morrigan.' Woman named Morrigan came even closer to Mahria but Anders moved between them.

'Who are you? An apostate? A witch?' He glared at her with distrust. 'I sense your power, my lady.'

'Oh, and you have a mage by your side, Teyrna? You're very smart woman indeed.' Morrigan smirked. 'Please move, mage, as I have something to tell Teyrna Mahria.'

'I'm sworn to protect Teyrna with my life. If you want to harm her you will have to go through me first!' Anders moved his hands in front of him. They started to glow and zap with electricity.

'Back of, mage. If I'd like to harm her I would do that long ago.' Morrigane moved her gaze onto Mahria. 'Please, Teyrna, I need you to listen what I have to say. 'Tis extremely important for you and your husband.' Mahria put her hand on Anders and leaned to him.

'Please, Anders, calm down. Let's hear what she have to say.' Anders hands stopped to glow and he hanged them down loosely. As he did so, Morrigan showed them small table in the corner of the shop. When Mahria sat down, she turned her head to Morrigan. 'So, please, tell me what you want from me.'

'May I ask few questions first, Teyrna?' Morrigan face was still showing smirk and interest. Mahria didn't know if she should trust her or not but nevertheless she nodded. 'My first question is: do you know someone named Asha'bellanar?'

'Woman of many years… yes… I heard about her from...'

'Zetrall, I know.' Morrigan interrupted her for a moment. ' 'Twas he, who send me to you.'

'Zetrall told you about me?' Mahria gasped with shock. 'Why?'

'He said that only you can help me with my task.' Morrigan stood up and walked from side to side. 'Another question, Teyrna. Do you know woman named Flemeth?'

'Witch of the Wilds?' Mahria smirked. 'Aren't we too old for childs tales?'

' 'Tis not a tale. As she is my mother.' Morrigan replied. 'She's also Asha'bellanar in fact.'

'And you want me to believe in that?' Mahria sighed and look at Morrigan sterned. 'Please, explain what you want and let's end this nonsense.'

'Fine, Teyrna. I'll tell you a story. Story about a young prince and an outlaw who hit on the dalish camp and then met with Asha'bellanar.' Morrigan sat again, with now serious face. 'Prince Maric and Loghain Mac Tir to be more accurate. They were imprisoned by Dalish elves when they ran from usurper army. Elves took them to my mother. She offered them her help but she had some conditions. Flemeth took Maric into her hut and talked with him for hours. King didn't tell anyone, even Loghain, what were the conditions though. But I know them.'

'How?' Mahria leaned to her on the table with face showing puzzlement.

'Oh, I happened to read one of her grimoires.' Morrigan smirked. 'But 'tis not so important, Teyrna. Listen to me now. Mother told Maric about the future of his and Ferelden. Or rather mother's future as she lied to him and altered it. He had to promise Flemeth that he will go on a voyage to Antiva to meet with my half-sister, Yavanna.'

'He… he's going to Wycome in three months from now. It's close to Antiva!' Mahria looked at Morrigan with wide-opened eyes. 'How…? It's not widely known information.'

'Like I said. I have read about it.' Morrigan sighed and continued her story. 'Maric is descendant of Calenhad the Great who happened to had dragon's blood. Yavanna's task is to awaken Queen of the dragons from her slumber with that blood. I don't know yet why… but I know one more thing. My mother wants her revenge. Do you know about Mythal, Teyrna?'

'She's a goddess from elvhen pantheon.' Mahria again had to answer questions about elvhen lore. Luckily she knew something about it.

'Yes. Gods of ancient elves were forced to seal themselves in the Beyond when they captured ancient tevinter dragon gods beneath the ground. But two of them managed to stay in waking world, they lost almost all their power. One of them was Mythal. In her weakened state she found woman who was betrayed as well. It was Flemeth. She agreed to merge with Mythal to get their revenge on those who betrayed them. And soon blights began to flood Thedas. Mythal in Flemeth's body became powerful. She unsealed four Old Gods and shown darkspawns where they were lying in their slumber. And now, she want to proceed with fifth one. Near the Korcari Wilds. That, I can not allow.'

'Blight? Here? In Ferelden?' Mahria was terrified by Morrigan words. She looked at Anders who was also shocked.

'Sorry to interrupt but… why should we believe you, Morrigan? You can lie to us, as your mother lied to King Maric.' Anders looked confused. Mahria looked on him and nodded. But she found herself believing in Morrigan words. Too much of it was accurate and she knew a great deal of thing no one else knew.

'Because I need to stop my mother. And I didn't came here to waste my nor your time to tell idle stories. 'Tis only but truth.'

'I believe you.' Mahria stated with blank expression. 'Tell me, what do you want from me.'

'I'm pleased to hear that, Teyrna. Zetrall was right about you.' Morrigan smiled and leaned to Mahria. 'I need to speak with your husband and King Maric. As fast as possible.'

'That can be arranged.' Mahria nodded to Morrigan. 'Before nightfall Anders will come to you and both of you will come to my husband study. I'll ask him and King to be there. Now, Anders go and buy what you need. We stayed here for too long. I bet my mother is already traumatized.'

'As you wish, Your Teyrnship.' Anders left Mahria and Morrigan and proceeded to the counter where Tranquil Proprietor was selling his wares.

'I'm glad that you want to help me, Teyrna Mahria. Like I said, Zetrall was right.' Morrigan face warmed a bit. 'There are few women in Ferelden with such wit and intelligence.'

'You don't have to flatter me, Morrigan.' Mahria shook her head and looked at her. 'I hope I won't regret helping you.'

'You won't. That I swear.' After a few moments Anders came back with full bag of magical potions and other wares. They parted with Morrigan and quickly returned to Gnawed Noble Tavern. Eleonora nagged to them that they were too long in the shop. Soon they returned to the palace.

LOGHAIN STUDY

'So why exactly you brought us here, Teyrna Mahria?' Maric was sitting behind Loghain's desk and waited in anticipation. On the other side of the room Loghain leaned on the wall with grave expression. He was anxious. His wife came to him after she returned from Market District and told him only that after nightfall both Maric and him need to meet with her in his study. Her reticent behaviour was really weird.

'Let's wait a moment. I need you to listen to someone.' As she said that faint knocking arose behind the door. 'Come in, Anders.'

'We waited that long for Anders, really?' Loghain finally spoken, his voice shown his impatience.

'No.' Low female voice replied to him as hooded figure entered the room. 'Loghain Mac Tir, such an honour.' Woman took her hood from her head and looked with mischievous smile at him then she turned to King and also greeted him in her own strange way. 'And King Maric Theirin. 'Tis pleasure beyond my way of understanding.' Maric stood up a bit and look into Morrigan eyes.

'Those eyes...'

'Oh, yes. Mother's eyes.' She nodded still having this mischievous smirk on her. At that time Mahria approached Loghain and moved behind him.

'Asha'bellanar...' Maric whispered with eyes wide-opened. Loghain overheard this name and blood rushed to his head. He wanted to move to Morrigan but Mahria took his arm in her hand and stopped him. He turned to her and saw she shook head in negation.

'What's going on, Mahria?' He growled angrily at his wife.

'Today I met this woman. Her name is Morrigan… and she's daughter of Flemeth or Asha'bellanar. You know who I'm talking about, don't you?' Mahria looked into his eyes with serious look. Then she turned to Maric. 'Listen to her, Your Majesty. It's very important.'

'I… I don't know... what's going on.' Maric was puzzled. All his memories of that old witch from Korcari Wilds returned to him. All memories of their talk in her hut dashed through his head.

'Listen to me, Maric the Saviour. I have some important thing so say.' And Morrigan said the same things she said to Mahria earlier that day. While listening the story Loghain remained silent. He only put his hand on Mahria waist and grabbed it firmly. As he wanted to be sure that all of it was real.

'It can't be the truth… I… I was deceived… I...' When Morrigan finished her talk Maric was shaken. He was sitting on the chair with his face in his hands. Loghain grave expression didn't show his stir but Mahria felt that his hand were trembling. And his icy blue eyes show disbelief. After few quiet moments he regained his composure and stepped to Morrigan.

'And why we should believe you? You are same wretched witch as your mother.' He growled with his teeth clenched.

'Don't insult me, Teyrn Loghain, as I'm here to help all of you...' Morrigan narrowed her yellow eyes. 'My mother said something about you as well… wasn't it 'Keep him close and he will betray you, each time worse than the last?' Your first betray was with Rowan as I recall. Then with Katriel... ' She smirked with victory. Loghain opened his eyes in shock. At those words Mahria stepped back and covered her mouth with her hands to prevent any sound leaking from it. 'Surprisingly there wasn't any more significant betrayals... yet.' Loghain turned his head from the witch and with corner of his eye he saw Mahria. Her eyes showed so much pain and her hands were trembling over her mouth. He couldn't stand this view. Mac Tir returned to Mahria side and embraced her. His head leaned to her ear.

'Don't think about that. Don't think about her.' He whispered quietly. 'Think about what I told you...' Then he turned her head so she could hear his heartbeat. That calmed down Mahria's pain. She nodded and they broke apart to face the rest.

'King Maric... please listen to me. I'm here to stop my mother. I need your help.' Morrigan moved closer to the King. 'She said all of those things so you had to act on her whim. But you have a choice and I can defend you from her.'

'I understand. I agree. Ser mage, please call a servant.' Anders left Loghain study for a while and he returned with a maid. Maric ordered to prepare a room for the witch. 'Lady Morrigan, please go with her and feel free to ask for anything you want.' When Morrigan left with the maid Maric turned to Teyrns Mac Tir. 'Mahria, I'm indebted to you. But now I need to speak privately with your husband.'

'Of course, Your Majesty.' She looked at Maric for a moment then turned to Loghain. 'I'll go to our chambers.' Loghain regarded her for a while then switched his gaze to Anders.

'Anders, you will stay with Teyrna until I will arrive there, is that clear? And let her rest.'

'Of course, Your Teyrnship.' Mage nodded eagerly and turned to Mahria. 'Shall we go, Teyrna Mahria?' He offered his arm to her and they left.

'Maric...I...' Loghain approached Maric but he disregarded him.

'I killed her because that bitch told me to do so...' Maric gaze was blank as he said those grave words. 'I killed Katriel because I was told that if I wouldn't - the whole Ferelden would burn.'

'I thought that... because I...' Loghain didn't know what to think. He betrayed Maric… He personally revealed to him that Katriel was Severan's spy. He told him that she was responsible for their loss at West Hill. Rowan's father, Arl Rendorn Guerrin died there. Because of Katriel.

'You didn't betray me, Loghain. It was I who led you astray. Who led everyone astray. Maker! I killed woman I loved. I married the woman you loved! And now I wanted to go to Antiva to get myself killed by a witch… just because that old bitch told me to do so!' Tears of helplessness dwelled in Maric eyes. He was so much in pain because he allowed to be deceived. 'And here I got to know… that I had a choice.'

'You didn't want to kill Katriel?'

'No… just moments before I slit my blade through her I wondered if maybe I should act against witch's will… at that time I thought that I can forgive her. That she loved me and she came back. But I was too afraid of witches prophecies...' Maric hung his head and started to cry. 'And to think… that everything could be different now… that I... with Katriel… and you would be happy with Rowan. You wouldn't have to marry Mahria and...'

'Stop it, Maric.' Loghain interrupted his monologue. His voice was cold and grave. 'I don't want to hear that... That I didn't have to marry my wife.' He started to stroll from one side of the room to another. His angry face was sliding on furnitures to avoid looking at Maric.

'I wouldn't ever assume that it is like that between you two...'

'It is.' Loghain finally stopped to walk and looked at his friend. 'Let's not talk about that anymore. What's your plan now, Maric? You still want to go to Wycome?'

'No. I'm going to stay here in Ferelden... for the rest of my life if that means to spoil this old hag's plans.' Maric wiped wetness from his cheek and stood up from the chair. His gaze was furious. 'I'll keep Morrigan here. She said that she's the only one who can match and stop her mother. I believe Morrigan.'

'I'm relieved. Thank the Maker that you won't go to Wycome. Tomorrow we need to held another Landsmeet. Luckily everyone are still here in Denerim. You should tell them you won't go anywhere.' Maric nodded and sighed heavily.

'I'm so sorry, my friend. I should tell you everything… from the start. I always depended on your opinion… I should tell you about witch's words as well.'

'What is done is done, Maric.' Both men talked about another Landsmeet and agreed that Loghain should go and send messengers to everyone to let them know. After that he left Maric to his thoughts.

MAC TIR'S BEDCHAMBER

Mahria changed to her nightgown and put robe on it. She didn't want to let Anders see her like that. Then she climbed up the bed and covered with blankets. She wanted to fall asleep but it didn't came. Anders and Mahria remained silent for an hour then she started to feel awkward. 'Ummm… I didn't know you can use offensive magic, Anders…' He snapped from his meditation and looked at Teyrna.

'Ah. I was taught to use all kinds of magic. But for me healing magic is the most important. And I like to fight with electric magic.' Then he moved his hand upward. He sighed and then his hand started to zap and small lightning appeared around it.

'Whoa!' Mahria looked at this with broad smile. She was always interested in magic although her mother forbid her to be. 'Can you make fire? Or ice?'

'Of course.' Then he waved the hand and small lightings changed to fire. After that he change the flame into small icicle in his grasp. Mahria leaned to see it better.

'Can I touch it?' He nodded and approached her to give her shard of ice. 'It's really cold! It's really an ice! I can't believe it… And you made it just like that.'

'Not like that, Teyrna. I need to mold my power in me to create it. It's not that simple.'

'Nevertheless I'm really impressed.' She was still looking at ice shard on her hand. It started to melting. 'Can you make ice that won't melt?'

'Yes… but I would need lyrium and some ingredients to create it.' After that they started to talk about magic for a while… but then Teyrna laid back on the bed and looked at the ceiling with serious expression.

'Do you think I made good decision?' Anders regarded Teyrna for a moment then replied to her question.

'Yes. I think that was good call, Your Teyrnship. Somehow you have saved the king. And maybe whole Ferelden.' Anders approached the window and looked behind it. 'Just think about it, Teyrna. You could just disregard her… you could even send guards to arrest her… but you decided to listen to Morrigan. You didn't know who she was and that she is really powerful. When I approached her I had shivers run down my spine. I was terrified.'

'Yet you wanted to protect me, Anders, that was very brave.'

'You are pregnant, Your Teyrnship, and you are important. If I would just run away I would ashamed my fellow mages and my family. Besides I respect you greatly, Teyrna Mahria.' Anders turned to Mahria and smiled at her. 'And you haven't gave me a cat yet.' Mahria started to laugh. At that moment doors have opened and Loghain entered the room.

'Anders, get out.' His face was grave and his eyes was icy cold as his voice.

'Of course, good night, Teyrn, Teyrna.' Mage bowed quickly and ran away. Loghain sat behind small table in their room and put his face in hands. Mahria looked at him for a moment then she laid on her side to gaze by the window. They remained silent for a long, awkward moment. She started to feel uneasy again as she remembered witch words… ' 'First betray was with Rowan as I recall.' That's what she said… he dared to snatch his friends fiancee. He loved her that much.' Tears started to dwell in her eyes. 'And now he will hate me… for what I did. I didn't inform him beforehand what I was planning. I did everything on my own whim. Now he will think I betrayed his trust.' As she was brooding over she started to cry. When he heard her sobbing he stood up and left the room. 'Maker, he won't look at me ever again.' But he returned after some time and climbed the bed. He moved to her and leaned above her body.

'So you had some fun with Anders… again.' He said with anger with his voice.

'Um… he showed me magic spells and… but, wait! Are you...' Mahria turned her crying face to him and looked into his eyes. They were glowing with jealousy. 'Are you… jealous of him?'

'What if I am? When I saw both of you laughing and enjoying your company?' Loghain narrowed his eyes and turned Mahria to himself. 'You can only enjoy my company, Mahria, that's an order.'

'Yes, General...' She smiled a bit at his joke. 'And here I was crying because I thought that you hate me now… that you don't want to look at me anymore… that maybe you were thinking over past and wondering about future with...'

'That again?' He sighed heavily and sat straightly on the bed. 'Maric also was wondering about my future with Rowan if he hadn't kill that elf. But I don't care about any alternative future. I care about my present. Only with you.' He regarded her red eyes and wet cheeks. 'Silly… you really thought that I would reminiscence the past? Wish that all of this never happened?' She nodded to him and turned her head in shame.

'I was also thinking that you will be mad at me… That I brought Morrigan to you and Maric.' Few teardrops fell on the cover laying on Mahria laps.

'Stop that nonsense, woman.' Mac Tir pulled his wife to his side and wiped her tears. 'You saved Maric tonight. You saved my friend. King of Ferelden! You are a hero!'

'Shut up...' Mahria started to cry again. 'You are hero… not me. Maker, I'm so emotional now... I never cried so much during my whole life.'

'Hush, hush. I love that emotional side of you as well. You can't be only Goddess of Fury and Destruction, Mahria.' Loghain took her to lean on the headrest and put his head on her laps. 'Calm down… you can plait and unplait my braids for how long you want now.' She laughed and moved her hands to his hair.

'You know how to calm me down, husband.' Loghain watched her face for a while then turned his head slightly to her abdomen.

'My boy, listen to what you father will say now. We have to take care of your mother. And we have to make sure she will always smile.' Mahria smiled at him and bent her head for a kiss.

'You got really better at this.'

'With such pretty and smart wife I had to improve myself.' His hand reached her hair and stroked it. 'Tomorrow there will be another Landsmeet. Maric wants to inform everyone that he won't sail to Wycome. I'm so relieved by that news… maybe… we will go to Gwaren for winter.'

'Really? To Gwaren?' Mahria brightened up at that news. 'But Landsmeet? Again? So I need to dress up, huh?' Mahria didn't like to wear flashy dresses. Although the one that Loghain ordered for her was really beautiful. With that armor chest piece on here she looked amazing. Like true wife of Hero of River Dane.

'What now? You don't like my presents? Maybe I'll lend my River Dane armor for you?'

'Stop… I would drown in it. You are so tall. Everytime you put chin on my head I'm getting mad.' She giggled at that memory. Few times her husband stood behind her and put his head on her. Just to show Mahria that she was tiny compared to him. 'But… I wonder...'

'About what?'

'Such a great possibility, Loghain! Just imagine.' He looked at her, puzzled. Her eyes were glowing with daydreaming. 'We could role-play. You would be captain of the guards… only in your armor... and I would be bandit's chieftain. And then… and then... mmm.' She giggled with closed eyes as her imagination run wild in her mind.

'Maker's breath, woman. There must be some antivan blood in you. A lot in fact.' He sighed but he also imagined that scene. 'Pity I left that armor in Gwaren.' As he said that she opened her eyes. They regarded themselves only for a moment to start kissing passionately. Soon they were occupied with love-making and Mahria forgot to plait his braid again.