Votes

Takao-kun – Morrigan

phalanx2131 - Morrigan

Outoftheinferno – Leliana

Hypnosis Writer – Leliana

ImaRussian - Leliana

Silverscale – Can't vote twice

Leliana - 3 Morrigan - 2

To my surprise Leliana wins. I've altered the planned plot. Didn't take much as I had a way out for Warden Gothic that doesn't involve him making a baby with Morrigan or by sparing Loghain. So Leliana be in awakening as well. Gothic will need her support.

However I was thinking of having Warden Gothic go with the baby plan anyway as I have in mind an interesting idea for a crossover that involves Flemeth kidnapping Morrigan and Gothic's son and fleeing to another world using one of the Elvish Mirror gateways. It will be my twist on Witch Hunt.

At that point Leliana would be off working for the Chantry as she would put her duty to the Maker above her own needs. She is a true believer after all. But that would be after the chapter Champion Gothic story so that's many years in the future. I might never get that far.

Also this chapter and the next one are the romance parts of the story. Then I will go back to action/adventure and have the sex be more about the sex than love as Leliana is going to try to make Warden Gothic as happy as she can for what time they think they both have.

Warden Gothic - Redcliffe Romance

"You can't possibly think he could ever love you?" Morrigan said to the red-headed Bard, as they both watched the dark-haired Warden make the choices that would either save the son of Arl or doom him.

"I could say the same thing about you," Leliana replied "but I am much easier to love".

Which was true. Morrigan wasn't exactly the type to swept of her feet by a handsome hero. Leliana on the other hand would actually enjoy that.

"And yet he and I have known each others touch. Did you know this?"

"I... suspected as much" the Bard said "you do seem the type to try and dig your claws into a man and to use your body as a means of making him to do what you wish".

The witch made no attempt to deny this, as that actually been the point of fooling around with the man from another world. To the Bard it was obvious that Gothic had met Morrigan before this adventure had started.

A number of clues had led her to this conclusion.

He never seemed as surprised as he should be when the Witch said something rather shocking, and he had clearly seen her naked as well because he had no curiosity on the subject. Even Alistair, had looked over to Morrigan tent once in a while to see if there was anything worth seeing. Which was perfectly normal for a man, and she'd done it herself so she wouldn't judge, but Gothic never did and yet he clearly found women attractive. So either he didn't think of Morrigan as a woman or he'd already seen her nude.

However she did not think that they had ever had sex, because if they had gotten that far and then stopped there should be a sign of it. Neither of them seemed to resent the other, like they would one had ended it suddenly, but nor did they seemed to very close. There was still a barrier between the two of them as if they had never been totally intimate. They hadn't known each as lovers, that was clear to the former spy.

"I can offer him an array of varied delights. What do you think that he will do when he discovers that you offer only to reluctantly spread your legs, and nothing else?".

Actually the former spy had been taught well the art of seduction. She knew exactly how to please both men and women in bed. She just didn't feel the need to show off her body, nor to comment on the fact that she knew exactly how to make a man think that he was a magnificent lover while also subtle showing him how to be one.

"If we reach that point then will be because we love each other" said the red-headed Bard "love-making is far more intimate than mere sex, no matter how passionate it is".

"And yet love grows rotten on the vine so quickly. A sour fruit that offers only a memory of sweetness" countered Morrigan "What is it worth, in the end?"

The rogue didn't even bother to answer. She knew that she wouldn't have to worry about any rotting because the man she was falling for only had months to live at best.

That was when she decided that she would rather have a mind filled sweet memories than a head filled of bitter regrets.

"Be warned I am not fond of sharing. You should know this"

"I haven't asked to borrow anything of yours" the Bard said firmly "and he is a man, not treat for two childish girls to argue over"

"Tis true" agreed Morrgian, at least on that point "Still it would be best to desist and to find your own man".

"You seem confident that he would chose you, a woman raised in a swamp, far from anything remotely resembling true civilization".

"And maybe that is my appeal? A woman like you, why, he could find within any fine house in Thedas. You think you are cultured? Worldly? No what you are is a powdered and perfumed doll. Yes you ooze elegance, but what man wants a woman who lies limp beneath him, frozen in place by the thought that she might ruin her hair?"

Lelina would of gotten upset, but she knew that Gothic came from a world more sophisticated than this one, or at least that was how it made it sound. Lee got the impression that he was remembering his home as a place better than that it really was, but she did not judge that as she felt the same way about her home land.

"So you are saying you're wild and uninhibited? Like the Darkspawn he fights. In bed you must sound like a genlock being hacked apart. No doubt that is a sweet sound to any Grey Warden".

The whole thing seemed to be moments away from a major cat fight. Of course it would be a deadly one, and despite Morrigan's magical powers it wasn't a sure thing that she would win.

Thankfully it didn't get there far as the man they'd been fighting over with almost scripted words turned to leave and walked right past them both without saying anything to either of them. In fact he didn't even look at them.

Leliana tried to follow, to find out what had put the group's leader in such a fool mood, but Morrigan blocked her.

"Do you really think he wants to spend time with you. Rather than with me?"

Morrigan knew nothing about the night at the Spoiled Princess Inn, so she had no idea that it was in fact Bard had been the one to start distancing herself from Gothic, and that he was just responding to that action.

"Are you just jealous?" asked the red haired woman "Is that what this is about? Because I don't think it is for you to decide who he spends time with"

"Oh, you may continue on as you have" said the witch "I make no attempt to control your actions. I am merely informing you that you will suffer the consequences".

Now that was most certainly a threat.

"You can not imagine that we would ever forgive for attacking me" the Bard said "Besides you forget, Morrigan, I am not without my own weapons. Do not make promises that you can not keep".

"Oh I always keep my promises".

Actually she didn't but rarely did she not follow up on a threat.

(Line Break. POV Shift)

There had been many times when I wondered if I should even bother saving this world. It was so full of evil, and it wasn't just the monsters. The human evil was worse. Heck I was pretty sure that Morrigan was planning to murder Lee over something really not worth killing for. The Witch wasn't even the worse of what humanity had to offer either,

What I couldn't understand was why people were acting like especially now when unity was needed the most. They weren't soulless beasts, they had a choice, they knew how bad things were but rather than try to do something about it they purposely went and made things worse. They had no excuse either, I had all the same selfish desires they had, but I had decided to fight to make things better.

Heck I was willing to die for them all, and I had to wonder why I was willing to sacrifice myself.

Then there were the moments like now that reminded me that not everything was all doom and gloom. The people in this town, they were so much better than most. Despite all the horror they had lived through, they hadn't turned on each or even put the blame on anyone. All I saw as I wandered through the town was ordinary people working together to rebuild their lives. Homes were being repaired, stores were being reopened, and the dead, even those bodies that had been used by demons, were being respectfully deposed off via the use of funeral pyres.

As for me I had no desire to remain inside the castle while the Desire Demon was dealt with. The ritual the Circle Mages were going to use was only suited for Mages, and Wynn had volunteered to enter the Fade. She had stated to me that her recent experience with the demons made her the best choice, because she now more on her guard then ever. Plus she had a Spirit within her already so it was very doubtful that she could be possessed by a demon anyway.

I actually would have been the best choice since I had already been shown how to see through the lies of demonkind, but the ritual could only send a Mage into the Fade as it was just a slightly different version of the Harrowing. I wasn't the kind of leader who liked leaving other people to do all the work, but the Senior Enchanter had assured me that he had overseen such rituals many times in his life. Also they had Alistar and Sten on hand if they needed a warrior to do some killing.

This had led to me wandering around the town as it was put back into order. Market stalls had been set up in town's square right in front of the Chantry. I was reminded of that Bible story about how Jesus trashed the stalls that had been set up inside a temple. Wasn't remotely the same thing however. The stalls were another community effort, an attempt to get get life back to normal. They weren't about merchants making money.

To me they were also a good thing as it was giving me chance to sell off some of the junk I'd picked up since arriving in this world. I hadn't really made much profit on the stuff but I had been able to lighten my load. And despite the fact that I really wasn't one for shopping this was a good chance to restock. I even found a few things that would make good gifts for my team-mates. I did want to thank them for all their hard work.

Thankfully the experience wasn't too traumatic for me. I was well liked in this town so lots of people offered me discounts on advice. I got some jewellery for Leliana and Morrigan, since the ladies do love the shiny. Alistair got some nice cheese. Oggy got a nice bone. Wynn got some wine. Sten got some more cookies.

I ended up looking over an amulet that was the symbol of Andraste for a while. It was gold and therefore expensive, but I knew it was something that Lee would like. Of course it wouldn't be a good idea to give her too much as I was just trying to show my appreciation, not get her into bed for things that didn't involve crying. Even if I was I didn't think that holy symbols were appropriate for that sort of thing.

The silver sword of mercy amulet I'd already gotten her, should be enough to cheer her up. I remembered that it was one of the gifts that upped her approval rating in the game, so hopefully she at least start talking to me again. I was already starting to miss her little stories.

"Oh that is so beautiful" a voice said from behind me.

For the second time this week Leliana made me jump. She was really stealthy sometimes.

"But I don't think it would suit you"

Silver was more my colour. I was like Morrigan in that respect. Which was why I'd gotten her a nice silver chain

"It's not for me" I said.

There was hint of anger is the Bard's voice but it was not directed at me. In fact she seemed to be in the process of calming down. Soon her words were more relaxed like she wasn't being careful about what she said.

Then again they all seemed to following a script sometimes, not Alistair he was honest a lot of the time and he'd rather change the subject that lie, but sometimes I got the impression that everyone was making sure that they never said anything that gave that much away.

"I suppose it would suit Alistair, but it is made for a woman, so is it for Wynn?".

Actually it could have been. Both of them were far more religious than I was so it would make a good gift for either of them even it was a bit feminine.

"No I was just browsing" I told the red-head, as I put them item down.

Neither of us said anything as I kept shopping. I really didn't have anything else to do as my armour was finally getting some proper repairs. Luckily the local blacksmith was very talented and hard-working, when he was sober, so it wouldn't be too long. Plus saving his daughter seemed to have earned his respect.

Oggy barked as I sorted out my pack. He knew I had the bone, and badly wanted it. However it was for later so I found himself something else to eat and grabbed something for myself to. Lee wasn't hungry so the dog and I just chowed down while the Bard started to talk to the animal.

"I have been setting down, in ink, the tales of our exploits so far, and I have been thinking about ways to describe you. You are unlike any animal I have ever met, almost human in your intelligence and understanding. So, let me see... you are loyal, yes? That one is obvious. Very, very clever... this is also obvious. You are terrifying when you have to be, but gentle and sweet as a dove at other times. And you are also playful... sometimes gluttonous".

Figuring that she wasn't just talking about the dog again. I stopped shoving food into my mouth, so I could say.

"Like I said before: it's a bloke thing" I said trying to defend us both, again "plus we do a lot of fighting and travelling"

A series of short, sharp barks from Oggy made him sound to me as if he was totally agreeing with the good points I made, but to Lee it sounded like he was protesting what was an admittedly fair assessment.

"No? What is all this begging for food scraps then?" she asked the canine.

Personally I suspected it was just a way of getting attention. He seemed to beg off Leliana more than anyone else. Alistair came a close second, but he never tried it with me because I made sure he got something proper to eat. It was like having a Mum feed you and then running off to get more food from your Aunts and Uncles. Which I had done once as a kid but I'd had an intense appetite when I was younger.

"Well, all right. You're not gluttonous. You're just... a lover of fine foods. How's that?"

Oggy approved. I on the other hand was now recalling that she had mentioned the dog's habit of overeating more than twice now. Did she find that to be unattractive quality in a man?

"Why do I always get the impression that you're not just talking about the dog when you say stuff like that" I said once I'd finished eating.

"Well they do say that people resemble their pets" she pointed out.

A very clever way of not actually answering the question. One of these days I was going find a person to work with who said exactly what they meant to say, and never tried to avoid certain subjects by side tracking either. Which made me wish Shale was around because she/it was often rather direct about it's/hers opinions. In the case of pigeons rather painfully honest in fact.

"I know that look...you have something on your mind, don't you?" Lee soon inquired.

That did seem to be my normal state these days. Well that and bashing the head's of monsters in with magical weapons.

"I'm guessing that we need to talk" I said to the red head.

"Of course we do" replied Leliana.

Damn I had nothing left to say. I really should have thought this through.

"I think Morrigan is falling in love with you" the Bard suddenly said.

My reply was to burst out laughing.

It took a while for me to calm down, but that was okay. I didn't care that people were starting to stare.

"Oh thank you" I said to the former spy "I really needed that".

That had really had made me feel a lot better about things.

"I was not trying to make you laugh" Lee said, sounding rather annoyed.

"Sorry that was really funny" I replied "Morrigan could fake that sort of thing I sure, but she doesn't really have those sort of feelings towards me. She wants something other than a romantic relationship. She'd have to since she knows how a Blight ends".

"You told her about that?" question Lee.

It was clear to me that the Bard thought that I must of confined in the witch about my coming demise. If that had been true I could see why she would be hurt as Leliana must of felt that I had told her because of how I was starting to feel about her. My telling others would have cheapned to the whole thing.

"No" I answered firmly "I don't know how she knows, but really it's not hard to figure out if you know all the stories about the Wardens".

"I know all the tales, many of which I have shared with you" pointed out Lee "yet I know nothing of the sacrifice the Wardens must make to slay the Arch-demon".

"What do the tales say about the lives of the Wardens after they slew the other Arch-demons?" I asked.

Leliana took a moment to answer.

"Nothing".

I decided to give her an explanation of how I might have figured it out. I'd gone over this topic before but clearly she needed to talk it over again.

"When I met Duncan, the Warden who recruited me, I got the impression that he knew that he was going to die soon. He'd accepted it, and later Alistair told me that Taint was killing us both. Even without the Blight I'd have about thirty years left at most. Which isn't a short time really, as lots of people die young, but you have to wonder why the Wardens are willing to kill themselves slowly. Anyone can fight the Darkspawn really, you've killed dozens. I mean yeah Wardens can sense them and the dreams did warn the Wardens about the Blight, but that's not so helpful since Blights are hard to miss, so there has to be another reason".

"To slay the Arch-demon, and to end the Blight" Lee said.

I took a sip of water, so that I would have a moment to think.

"I know deep down that in the end it will be me or Alistair. I can't really explain how I know, I just do".

Well it wasn't as if I could say: I know because we're following the plot of a video game. She had no frame of reference for such things.

"That's why Morrigan thinks she has a chance. I can't offer anything long term and she doesn't want to be tied down" I added "She can't offer me anything real cause she wasn't raised in what we'd calling a loving environment. She sees that level of caring to be a weakness. I kind of get that, and I've been heartbroken enough times to know that love isn't always a wonderful thing, but... I kinda need something more than sex".

I had no desire to mention the possibility of how I could survive. The only sure way to not die would be to sire a child for Morrigan. No woman who has a romantic interest in you wants to listen to you discuss the idea that you might get another woman pregnant.

"Even if I did have thirty years" I said next "and given how dangerous our lives are... well I can't stop being a Grey Warden and I can't even be a father because the Taint passes on to the child".

Although I had to wonder how bad such a thing could be. Because it was something even Alistair knew about, so there must have been a child born with the Taint at some point.

However I could see how such a thing would mess up a baby. Maybe I couldn't even have healthy children, the Taint eventually killed even the greatest of the Wardens so it could kill a baby before it was even born. There was also the chance that the kid would be a Grey Warden right from the start. Thirty years to live at the most, and they'd been driven to fight the Darkspawn, what kind of childhood was that.

I could very well see why the senior Wardens would therefore want to discourage use from having children.

"And what if I am willing to accept a short term commitment?" Lee said in a rather rushed away "I mean what I am trying to say, is that I trust you. I am comfortable around you. I know that you will be there when I need you even if that is only till the Blight ends. You are our leader, and my friend, and I think we could be more than that... Maker... look at me, stumbling over my words like an ill-educated peasant girl. Some bard I am."

"You don't need to be embarrassed" I assured.

"I'm not embarrassed! I'm just... flushed because.. of... the... heat."

Sometimes I did get the impression that a lot of my life was planned out by some evil jerk. If I ever met him I was so going to punch him in the face.

"Yes it is quite warm here" I lied.

Then was when I decided to man up.

"Yeah I want that too" I told her.

After saying that I leaned across the small table we'd been sitting at, and I kissed her.

"Well... I... hmm... that settles it then" she said "for as long as it lasts we have each other".

I only smiled in reply. I then got up and took her hand so we could both head back up to the castle.

On the way I saw a book. It was a journal of some sort. It was expensive, as paper wasn't cheap in these parts. Yet I was drawn to it. I had a lot of knowledge the natives of this world lacked.

Most of it was useless, as they didn't have the science or the technology to create the things I would of liked to see built. But I did have a better understanding of physics, biology and chemistry than perhaps anyone in this entire world. I could try and explain a few things.

I could also fill pages with my story, and information about myself. That would be something good to leave to Lee.

"Come on" I said to my new girlfriend "I want to check out the castle's library. I think I know where the ashes are".

Time to go to Haven.