A Change of the Script

Chapter 7

As she waited the Witch lit the fire with a flick of her hand andthought about what she was going to say, unsure if the young Elf wasaware of the ritual that had been performed. She doubted thatAlistair would have told her but was afraid of Lynas reaction if hehad. The Witch had grown close to the young Elf, even thought of heras a sister, and didn't want to hurt or upset her. She knew that,despite what the Elf wanted people to think, that Lyna still careddeeply for the now King. Morrigan didn't understand why, though hewas attractive to look at, even if she would never admit to thatthought. She still thought him a fool. Still, she accepted that herdear friend, nay, sister, loved him and knew the Elf would possiblybe devastated if she knew the details of the ritual.

Lost in thought, she almost didn't hear the door open and startedas she heard Lynas voice.

"Morrigan?!"

Suddenly the small Elf had launched herself at the Witch andenveloped her in a warm hug. Having become accustomed to Lynas opendisplays of affection with people she felt close to, she returned thehug a little stiffly. Though used to Lynas openness she was stillnot accustomed to displaying her own caring side. Throughout the huga tumble of questions poured from the smaller woman, concern andworry radiating from her. In that moment Morrigan realised that theex Templar had not told her of the ritual. Knowing that, Morrigandecided that she would not tell her friend the whole truth. It wasdone and Lyna was safe. Morrigan had saved not only her friend butthe soul of the old God. It would do no good to tell her sistereverything now.

"I thought you'd gone back to the Wilds in case the Chantry triedsomething." Lyna was saying as they moved towards the twocomfortable armchairs in front of the fire.

"I thought it best to stay outof sight, though the Chantry could not catch me even if they wishedto." Morrigan said as she sat down, her tone calm but with herusual superiority. Softening her tone, she continued. "I am gladto see that you are recovering well". A tender smile accompanyingher words. As she watched her friend, the young Elf looked towardsthe fire, a lost and confused look appearing in her eyes, but not onher face. "I understand a celebration will be held tonight yet youdo not seem excited. It isbeingheld in your honour is it not".

"It is, or at least that's what I have been told. It'sjust....." Lyna trailed off, still looking deep into the fire.

"Ah, but you are wondering why you yet live though you were toldthat you would perish if you struck the final blow to the Archdemon." Morrigan stated gently.

Lynas gaze switched from the flames to Morrigan, surprise replacingthe lost look in her eyes. "You knew?" she asked, voice no morethan as whisper.

"I did." the Witch confirmed. Seeing no reason to hide the knowledge, barring a few details, shecontinued. "Though the Wardens keep their secrets close there aresome that leak out. My Mother told me about the sacrifice thatWardens make to stop a Blight before we left. I did not say anythingbefore as I was unsure whether you would believe me. As more timepassed I came to see you as more of a sister. I did not wish for itto be true". The Witch found herself shaking slightly. It wasmore difficult to admit her feelings aloud than she had thought. Itonly got worse when she heard the emotion in Lynas voice as she askedgently.

"What did you do?"

The worry laced into the question was not for Lyna but forMorrigan. The Witch was not used to people worrying about her andwas unsure how to react. Trying to wave the worry away she took herfriends hands in her own.

"As I searched through my Mothers grimoire I found a ritual. Itwas old magic, the Wardens would not know of it. By performing theritual I would make sure that the Warden who made the final blowwould not die. I knew that if Riordan did not succeed then you wouldfind a way to make the killing blow. Therefore, I did what I feltright".