Deep in the heart of the Crossroads was a loving, if somewhat unconventional family with a dark-haired woman in a purple top, a dark brunet man who sharpened his word, and a young man wearing a dark purple and maroon outfit seated around a blazing fire. The man and boy sat on logs close to the great fire, while the woman stood near it as she stirred a giant pot.
"Mother, could you tell me the story again, please," Kieran asked with a pleading expression on his face.
She never tells of her life before meeting father very often, he thought.
Kieran shifted his gaze to his father, hoping to garner some sympathy and assistance. Kieran's father, The Hero of Ferelden, paused in his work to look at his wife.
"I wouldn't mind hearing the story again as well, Morrigan," Kieran's father added.
Kieran's mother raised a brow as she looked at her husband. "You have heard this tale before, have you not?"
"I have, but I never tire of hearing it," his father replied with a grin at her half-hearted protests.
Kieran's mother's face puckered and she sighed in defeat. "Ah, all right. But only once more, do you understand?" Kieran nodded. "Very well. Once, a long time ago, there was a girl and her mother who lived in a swamp in the woods."
'Morrigan remembered this incident as if it were yesterday. She could still see the countless rows of trees as their branches swayed in the wind and hear the chirp of crickets. The distant sound of clanking armor and running boots caught her attention.
Morrigan stood beside her mother, Flemeth, whose hair was black with some gray beginning to show. Morrigan stood awkward and gangly, small as she was, while Flemeth stood tall and proud.'
"One day, the mother and daughter received visitors to their hut. But these were no ordinary guests."
'"Remember what I told you about the rules of this game," Flemeth said, looking down at six-year-old Morrigan, who nodded in understanding. "Good. Then I shall see you soon, my child."
Morrigan watched as Flemeth turned and walked deeper into the woods. Once she was gone, Morrigan transformed into an orange cat and raced toward where she heard the Templars. Using her feline sense of smell, she easily found the armored, sweaty Templars.'
"Unfortunately, these guests were here to harm the mother and daughter, who were merely living their lives in peace."
'Just as quickly as she had changed into a cat, Morrigan transformed into a six-year-old human girl. She wiped her hand through the mud and smeared it across her face and almost ran into one of the Templars.
"Please, ser, you must help," Morrigan cried. "The witch has kidnapped my parents."
The Templars all shared an uncertain look before the leader bent down on one knee.
"We'll help you, little one. Do you know where your parents are?"
"Oh, yes of course," Morrigan said, enthusiastically nodding her head as Flemeth had instructed. She then pointed deeper into the woods. "They're this way."
Before the others had time to ask additional questions or react, she turned and ran in the direction she'd pointed.'
By this point, Kieran's mother had finished their soup and distributed it between the three of them. She sat near his father by the fire, and Kieran listened intently.
"But neither was willing to simply surrender to these unwanted visitors," Morrigan continued.
The Old God within him, watching through his eyes, shared with him the strength and power it saw within her. While Kieran didn't entirely understand what the creature meant, he followed the advice as best as he could. He took multiple spoonfuls of soup, eating as if it would be his last meal.
Mother truly is a talented cook, he thought.
'Morrigan transformed into a tiny wolf pup and her small paws pounded the forest floor. She saw several wild animals, such as hala or squirrels, stop and stare at her. However, she remembered what Flemeth had told her; to lure the Templars close to their hut.
"And so, the mother turned the chase into a game."
And the Templars certainly chased Morrigan, as her heart pounded in her chest and her wolf legs carried her deeper into the forest.
Almost there, she thought.
As Morrigan grew closer to their hut, she spotted an enormous purple high dragon waiting. She quickly changed back into her human form and continued running toward the hut. She raced inside and instead of hiding beneath the bed, she moved to the window and peered outside.'
"And while the guests obliged the game, they did not realize what was in store for them when they reached their destination."
'Morrigan peered outside and watched as six out of the eight Templars rushed toward Flemeth's dragon form while the other two ran toward her hut. Flemeth lifted her head and roared, before spewing fire at the six Templars. As the two other Templars sped toward the hut, Morrigan ran and hid beneath the bed as her mother had instructed her.
Her heart pounded in her chest as she turned into a tiny mouse, willing her heart to stop beating so fast as the two Templars threw the hut door open.
"Where's the grimoire?" one asked.
Behind them, Flemeth roasted two of their compatriots before she ate a third.
"I do not know, but we must hurry," the other shot back.'
"The daughter watched from her hiding place as the visitors ransacked her home."
'The Templars searched the hut high and low, knocking over bins of laundry and spilling herbs across the floor. As a mouse, Morrigan shivered as she watched them defile her abode. A deep, almost bottomless rage filled her, but she remembered what her mother had said. She continued watching as one of the Templars came upon a wooden chest. He attempted to open it and easily did so.
I cannot believe Mother was so careless, Morrigan thought.
The Templar rifled around before he removed a large, black book from the chest. The binding looked old and worn, and the black color was beginning to fade.'
"As it turned out, the guests were not here for the mother or daughter."
'"Here it is," said the Templar, holding up his prize.
"Then let's go," the other Templar shouted. "Our comrades are being slaughtered."
Both Templars raced out of the hut and past the high dragon. By that point, two of the six Templars remained. Flemeth lifted her head and roared again, and the four Templars tripped over one another in an attempt to get away. Morrigan sighed in relief as they disappeared and Flemeth changed back into her human form.'
By this point, Kieran had finished his soup and continued listening in awe at his mother's story; his father, too was enraptured by the tale.
"The guests ran as if their lives depended on it, never to return. But the mother kept a watchful eye over her hut, and her daughter, so as not to attract any more of their ilk to their humble and unassuming abode," Kieran's mother finished.
Without meaning to, Kieran yawned.
"And now, young man, I believe it is time for bed," his mother said, as she extended her hand. "I will take your bowl."
Your mother and grandmother are powerful witches, said the Old God soul. A lineage that will serve you well.
However, she was his mother and that was all that mattered to him. Reluctantly, Kieran handed his bowl over to his mother and stood up. He then walked toward his father, who gently ruffled his hair.
"I love you, kiddo," his father said. "I hope you sleep well."
"Thank you, you as well," Kieran replied.
He walked to his bedroll, lay down, and closed his eyes. Sleep claimed him shortly thereafter.
After Kieran went to bed, Morrigan and Robert cleaned the dirty dishes before the dying embers of the fire. Morrigan could have cleaned them with her magic, but Robert insisted they do things 'the old-fashioned way.'
Whatever that means, Morrigan thought.
"What's on your mind?" Robert asked.
His voice was so soft Morrigan wasn't certain she'd initially heard him until he cast her a sideways glanced.
She sighed. "There's so much for us to do."
"Are you talking about within Thedas? Or with Kieran?" Robert inquired.
As usual, he is clearly able to see through me, Morrigan thought. Were he not my husband, this would be most irritating.
"Both," she replied.
"But mostly Kieran," said Robert.
"Yes," she ground out.
A small smile lit up Robert's face. "Is there anything specifically you're worried about?"
Morrigan sighed again, stopped scrubbing the bowl, and fully looked at her husband. "I did not intend for tonight's tale to be one of interest for him."
"He looks up to you, Morrigan," Robert murmured. He reached up and gently caressed her cheek. "What's wrong with that?"
Curses, I hate when he is right, she thought.
"Yes, but only because he does not know me," she replied. "He only knows what I have told him of my previous life, and even then, I have no desire for him to know anything more."
"You're his mother, Morrigan," Robert whispered. He gently brushed his thumb against her cheek and she leaned into his touch. "He's naturally going to be curious about you, and other things. Maker, I wish I had gotten to know my mother."
Ugh, of course, he brings that up, thought Morrigan. As usual, he wishes to reassure me that I am a good mother.
When Morrigan had first begun traveling with Robert, she remembered him telling her that he had never known his mother, Revka Amell. Shortly after his birth, Robert had been removed from his mother's care and brought straight to Kinloch Hold, where he had spent his entire life before becoming a Grey Warden.
Morrigan released a frustrated sigh. "Truly husband, must you emotionally manipulate me?"
Robert laughed softly. "It isn't emotional manipulation, or else it isn't my intention. I merely want to let you know that you are trying to be a good mother. That you don't live in a place where Kieran has to grow up in some tower with a large group of strangers, or some in bog in the ass end of Thedas."
A slow smile spread across Morrigan's face. "As always, you are correct, dearest husband."
That made him pleased with himself, and as a result, Robert wore a smug expression.
"Of course, I'm right," he said. "But I do have a favor to ask."
"Yes?" Morrigan said.
"Please, try not to be so hard on yourself," he said, as he leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Kieran has love and discipline, and whatever Thedas throws at us, we'll deal with it together."
As if we can just ignore the change that is coming to Thedas, she thought. Then again, if he would not hear of any objections back in the Dragonbone Wastes, he will not hear of any now.
Despite her personal beliefs, Morrigan nodded. "I shall try."
"Good," Robert said. "Now, let's finish these dishes and get to bed."
He then resumed drying the utensils as Morrigan recommenced scrubbing the soup bowl.
Leave it to Robert to set my mind at ease, she thought. Despite my protestations, he is correct. Whatever Thedas throws at us, we will deal with, together.
Flemeth stood in a tiny hut in Northern Antiva with her eyes closed as a smile slowly spread across her face. Flemeth never lingered long, always evading detective; but she always replicated her home precisely the way it had been in the Korcari Wilds.
Flemeth opened her eyes and looked toward one of the windows as her thoughts moved to the game she and Morrigan had played, all those years ago. She had expected Morrigan to run and hide after learning about Flemeth's possession ability, but she hadn't known where precisely her daughter would disappear to.
Then again, she has always been the cleverest of my daughters, she thought.
"It does not matter where you hide, or how long you are there, I will find you," Flemeth murmured.
Greetings Loyal Readers! This story was inspired by a cover of "Savage Daughter" and thought it fit Morrigan and Flemeth perfectly.
Thanks again to AirHippo for beta-reading this story!
If you enjoyed this story, please feel free to leave a comment or like as they're the best paycheck I have!