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[Esbatty]

thenemesis77 wrote...

I wish this is what DA2 was about to show us what we had done in WH........it's great and you know that Morrigan loves the Warden but she would never say it......unless he was about to die or fight some unknown god of the past. I love how Omen has come into the story and I can't help but like her and if it were a game would love to side quest and help Omen be happy, she is a friend of the family now.

I love how we are in a land that people, other then us,don't die. It makes the Warden so much under the god hood they had him and and your story would make for a great way to bring the Warden back as the PC, man this is what I had hope for in DA2, but they gave us some off the mill hero and a half ass gameplan of a game to play, makes me feel sick they would do this but it is done, well done Esbatty!!!!! You should write the story for DA and not DAVID!

Wowza, high praise!

Thanks for the kind words. I'm really surprised how many people are touched by Omen and her story. As for how DA2 is going down, to me its just the otherside of the coin in Morrigan's story. Flemeth is a huge factor in Morrigan's life, and the Witch of the Wilds has to be up to something if sending Morrigan along with the Warden was for a shot at gaining the Old God's essence. But I have to remind myself not every Warden and not even every Player does or has done the Dark Ritual.

Some people just plain don't like Morrigan for whatever reason. As you can see from the story I have great affection for her. I do look forward to playing Dragon Age 2, 'cause if DA2 doesn't do well we might not get DA3 and thus the rest of Morrigan's story. So while I would love to see more of my Warden I'm more concerned with seeing more of Morrigan.

[thenemesis77]

I agree that I hope to see more of Morrigan and I think we will. I think back and to me the only one that could bring the Morrigan that had all the hopes and dreams in that mirror that Flemeth smashed would be the Warden and he is the only one she is soft to. I think the Warden was one of the dreams she had as a child as she looked in that mirror and when the Warden gives her the mirror again, that put the final nail in that should could not help but love him and you could see it. When the Warden would ask her What is it you want? She was taken off guard to have someone that would care about what she wanted. I never had been much on any kind of love story but you could really see it going that way and I really bought into it. I wanted to find out more about her character and I wanted to save her from Flemeth. I wanted her to see that there are good people in this world and it's worth saving and with that last comment, that may come in DA3, we can only hope.

[Esbatty]

The next chapter is coming shortly, been gettin' sabotaged by gmail which has eaten a few attempts at the story, 3000 words I'll never see again... ever. ugh.



Anywho I think it was proly for the best that the previous entires got eaten up 'cause I defintley have a better turn of events coming in this chapter. Expect some changes and maybe a new-old face. Then another interlude of sorts, and then a bit of a timejump. SO big things comin', just stay tuned.

[Lord_Anthonior]

Cool, more story coming soon and interludes, the ones with Arianne and Finn are promising and good to read about those too. Looking forward for the continuation of..."In the Land of Ever".

[Esbatty]

thenemesis77 wrote...

I agree that I hope to see more of Morrigan and I think we will. I think back and to me the only one that could bring the Morrigan that had all the hopes and dreams in that mirror that Flemeth smashed would be the Warden and he is the only one she is soft to. I think the Warden was one of the dreams she had as a child as she looked in that mirror and when the Warden gives her the mirror again, that put the final nail in that should could not help but love him and you could see it. When the Warden would ask her What is it you want? She was taken off guard to have someone that would care about what she wanted. I never had been much on any kind of love story but you could really see it going that way and I really bought into it. I wanted to find out more about her character and I wanted to save her from Flemeth. I wanted her to see that there are good people in this world and it's worth saving and with that last comment, that may come in DA3, we can only hope.

For me, if Witchhunt is all I get in regards to my Warden's story, I'm happy with it. He got to walk off into the Sunset (Mirror) with his leading lady (Morrigan), which is way better than any ending slide from Origins or Awakening. If anything if it wasn't for Witch Hunt I don't think I would've ever done anything in regards to fan fiction. Never really dabbled in it so I had no real reason to do so. But the question of "What is beyond the Fade?" was just too good to pass up in regards to indulging my imagination and curiosity. That and the fact the community here is just so encouraging that I couldn't help but share the fermentation of my mind grapes.

Again thanks for sharing your passion for Morrigan's romance and I do hope it pays off a bit more in future sequels and DLC.

And L_A, Chapter 14 is shaping up real nice like.

[Esbatty]

CHAPTER 14.1 - What Its Like

The intensity and blood-red glow of the Drake's stare sent a rapturous shiver through her body. Omen could almost taste the power contained within the creature. The forced bond caused by the Blood Mage in the mortal realm meant that the demon itself had expended none of its own power in possessing the animal. Obviously being excised from the Fade when the beast expired and then travelling to this land devoid of life meant such a show of power in its blazing eyes meant the demon within felt threatened and thus its precious reserve of emotional fuel was worth even this minor drain.

The glow in its eyes dimmed as it slowly realized the last bits of fear that had once consumed the strange woman was gone, replaced by a new more malevolent intent. Even in her self-imposed weakened state her true nature was still evident.

"Stay back. Stay where you remain," it mewled as it watched Omen place the bundle in her arms gently into the back face of an ancient shield that lay in the opposite corner.

"Now, now", she spoke slowly as if to a child. "Where is the ferocity shown earlier by your display? Aye, where be your passion in the rage? You did feed from the child's Father in the battle."

It said nothing, simply eyeing the dark skinned woman as she removed her robe and uncoiled her tail from about her waist. She sauntered dangerously close to the wingless dragon, running a stray finger across its snout. The contact made it elicit a quiet hiss.

"Oh, speechless are we? Mayhaps you desire more than just your freedom?" the very tip of her oddly elongated skull came to life with a faint touch of a pink flame.

***

Vann stretched out hoping to lightly take hold of Morrigan's exquisite jaw and plant a kiss on his sleeping beauty, instead he grasped at nothing. With eyes kept shut by the stickiness that comes from the dehydration of their exertions, he absently felt around only to find their wet spot on the bedroll.

He yawned and stretched, his limbs easily touched the boundaries of the tent they shared. "Definitely have to find something a lil' more permanent", he murmured to himself while rubbing the film from his eyes.

Usually upon waking the Taint-spawned hunger would drive him to eat but ever since arriving in what The Drake called 'The Voidlands', Cousland would only chew on abit of the dried herbs Omen had gathered along with a bit of hard bread from his own stores merely out of habit. Their water stores, while meager, were similarly largely untouched since entering the face of the Eluvian.

Sitting up now, the once Hero of Ferelden surveyed the inside of the tent, and like a tapestry of his own life the blood, patches, and soiled markings painted a brief yet storied history. He had spent so much of this - this, he had no idea what to call it. Excursion? Trip? New life?

Yes, a new life. He had spent so much of the beginning of this new life rehashing his past decisions and explaining himself that when he broached the idea of having another child with Morrigan it felt like the first time he ever looked toward the future. The first time his future was actually his to shape, his to look forward to.

Talking Drakes, dead mentors, a horde of the dead intent on snuffing out their lives, all of it paled in comparison to the now dawning realization that he had no clue how to raise a child. Sure it was easy enough to engage his nephew Oren in play or take on an outing slash adventure about the grounds of Castle Cousland, but once he got tuckered out or overly excited it was only a matter of passing the tyke onto Fergus or Oriana and he could slip back into the practice ring. Considering Morrigan he didn't think he could so easily escape his duties - not that he would want to.

Pup, as he was now allowed to address the son of his loins, while most likely to be magically inclined and wrapped up in this Old God business, would still be a male child and growing up alongside Fergus and Ser Gilmore it'd be easy enough to anticipate dealing with a younger version of himself. But Cub, the daughter he actually dreamt of when no longer welcome in his lover's tent whilst wandering the Deep Roads, was another matter entirely. It'd barely been but an hour or two since once again following Morrigan's instruction on the imagery he had to focus upon while simultaneously maintaining the careful balance of their various positions, but he already agonized on how he'd care for his daughter.

He remembered a conversation with Loghain shortly before their interview by the Orlesian Wardens a month or so after the end of The Blight where his then future Father-in-Law had left him with the thought of a small girl with carefully coiffed pigtails who had skinned her knees while running after him as he once again departed for Denerim. Vann had seen the man be caught in the Maw of the Archdemon itself and not bat-a-lash yet this memory had drawn forth a look for pain that still haunted the Warden. Morrigan herself had no clue as to her own Father, the idea that some horrified man lay paralyzed on Flemeth's bed as the Witch took her pleasure and his seed quickly ended any kind of fond fantasy she may have had.

Cousland shook the thoughts from his head. What had he asked for? What did he just ask Morrigan to do? Here she is cut off from all but Blood Magic, so if the birth of their son was made any easier with her access to Lyrium and The Fade - how would she fair with a natural birth in such an unnatural place?

Suddenly a horrendous roar pierced through his tangle of thoughts.

***

to be continued...

[Esbatty]

 CHAPTER 14.2 - Love

As if waking from a daydream the Warden found himself yet again stretched out in his lover's tent. Again film made opening his eyes particularly difficult but this time when he reached next to himself and felt her warm body draw close to him and breathed a husky greeting into his ear.

"Mmm, good morn my love", she purred as soft lips gently played across his ear lobe.

A great hunger awoke within his very core and with a quick turn of head he locked his mouth to hers. For several moments she gave into his ravenous embrace before breaking it for a lungful of their musk-ladened air.

"Ah, that was - was very passionate my love. Mmm, what brought this on, I wonder? Perhaps a dream - nay, fantasy you have not asked me to yet to explore?"

Her tone and proximity almost brought a blush to his cheeks despite the growing yearn for more of Morrigan.

"I don't know what has come over me. I should be exhausted but it seemed to have faded from my body. Speaking of fantasy I swear for a moment I had wakened from a dream."

"'Tis impossible my knight, as you know none of us have had any dreams since making our home in this land."

"But it was strange - there was a great unsettling explosion. Ohhh," he moaned and mashed his full frame against his Wilder Woman. Grinding and kissing, they entangled their limbs once again. Yet for a brief moment her body shuddered in a strange manner, her moans were quieter - more reserved, and her usual sylvanwood scent became that of Orlesian oils.

Vann fought to pull away.

"Husband, it is not polite to neglect your... duties."

The tent was gone and he lay next to Anora now. Her golden locks loose from their usual bun, moist tresses framed her softened features, and ice blue eyes that begged him to return.

"No, no - Anora?"

"I cannot believe you fell asleep again while we're trying to - to- ugh."

"I'm sorry, Dear."

The Queen recoiled and released the once Grey Warden.

"You said you were going to be honest with me. Which were you dreaming of while we try to concieve an heir?"

"Don't say it like that. I care about you Anora, this isn't about giving Ferelden what it needs - this about us and starting a Family. I meant it when I told you I wanted you, it stopped being about politics once we shared our Vow and made our prayers."

"Which one? The shrew of an Elven woman? Is that what you really want?"

Vann sat up on his knees atop the ornate bed of the Royal Chambers, "That is not fair, Anora. That was my fault, mine alone. Velana-"

"And you speak her name so readily. If - and I do mean if we sire a child, you aim to name her so? Would that please you since it utters from lips with such ease?"

It was in these moments that Vann remembers how he is not a King in totality but rather King Consort, a comforting prop for the people and bed warming partner for the Queen. He shuffled over to the side of the bed and planted his feet on the cold stone to try to wake some sense into himself. It was but a dream, the tent, the mirror, a Family - it was just his mind playing tricks.

Thin arms wrapped about him and his bedmate rested the side of her head against his back.

"Commander? Why did you get up? Am I not practiced enough for your Kingly appetites? Or maybe you think my innards too constricting for your shem parts, hmm?"

The tip of her pointed ear lightly rubbed against the back of his neck.

"Maker forgive me," he begged quietly to the flickering of the warm firelight of his quarters in Vigil's Keep.

"I've been called many things, but 'Maker' has never been one of them. Though for this night I'll allow you to worship me if you so wish", the Dalish Mage so rarely teased.

This time he dared not give in to temptation, as real as everything felt - the cold radiating from the walls, the lingering taste of Antivan Brandy on his lips, and the small weathered fingers that played across his scars and muscle - it just could not be true.

"Stop it, whoever you are, just - stop. I will not play your game, I am no one's pawn. Not any longer."

The body behind him tensed, and the ripples of change could be felt across his skin.

"But I miss you so, my Son."

"NEVER!" he cried out as he leapt from the bed and free of clutches of his Mother's simulacrum.

"Come to me. Rest. Let me tend to you."

A wave of revulsion washed over him, "Away with you. Do not disturb my Mother's Memory, you sully it at your peril."

"Have it your way, Warden."

Omen stood before the Warden as a chaotic scene replaced the vision of the Night within The Keep. Togther they stood where the tent once was erected, now it was torn down and trampled underfoot by the denizens of this dead world. The feral men and women sprinted and leapt past the duo, leaving them undisturbed, as they attacked the now freed Drake. It trampled the ruins of its once stone cell as it massive jaws rent through the bodies of the unending waves of the dead.

The panic from earlier returned and Vann's head whipped about in frantic search for his child and love.

"Where are they, Omen?", Vann violently gripped the Desire Demon's shoulders.

"They could be right here if you so desired?" she offered as the purple flames of her head flared and danced wildly, her purple eyes flickered from gold back to purple.

"No tricks, I want my Family not your falsities."

The Dark Spirit considered for a moment, her tail playfully swished at the air behind her.

"Yessss, your Family."

With a gesture Omen called forth a pair of figures that reluctantly pulled free of the vicious throngs awaiting their turn to pile upon the waning beast.

"Don't let him see us."

"Oh come to your beloved. He misses you both so dearly, that not even I can sate his longing", the violet **** grinned.

"Not like this, tell her Bryce."

***
To be continued...

Modifié par Esbatty, 13 janvier 2011 - 03:52 .

[Morrigans God son]

This has been on a long break since christmas =(

but I'm glad you're starting to write more chapters again. Great job.

[Brockololly]

Hmmm...is Omen screwing with Vann on purpose?



I was confused there for a bit thinking you were going to go all Inception and have it be a dream within a dream within a dream or some such stuff. Hahaha XD

[rwilli80]

Confusing, but still awesome. I am really curious to see where this is headed, I had figured one direction it was heading and now it seems you're talking it in a whole new direction. Keep up the good works.

[Esbatty]

Sorry about the long ass break but the internetz was not allowing me to post any version of this chapter until recent. Its alot shorter than planned but nevertheless its confusing as intended since its a Vann-centric chapter. 14.3 will have some more resolution, i've already plotted out how this all ends so expect a few more installments in the coming weeks. Hopefully I can wrap up Book One here before I have to pull all the OT preparing for the Superbowl on FOX. ugh.

[Esbatty]

CHAPTER 14.3 - "Of A Broken Heart"

Morrigan had had enough of this.

She was much younger when Mother had originally shared it and here she was again, much older - much more experienced with the world around her, yet she was made to sit before their little hut lost amidst the wilderness and be regaled with every sordid detail.

"Enough, last it was told with much less - intimacy. Why must you bog the tale with such strange descriptors and thoughts of my Father?", she asked as she scrunched her soft pale features.

"Oh hush up, Cub. Let Nan share the tale as she wishes. T'is a rare thing to gain the insights of another's thoughts unfiltered by propriety."

The young girl cast a withering glare at her elder sibling, "I - am - Morrigan. You - you, toadstool."

"T'is Mother's name, and you know it - Cub. Pick another name for thyself, least of which one Father chooses to repeat so strained in the throes of night."

Young Morrigan shuddered, "You know how much I hate you right now, yes?"

The pair stared each other down across the dying cooking fire, just as stubborn as their Father and as spiteful as their Mother.

"Fine, we'll call it a night, children. You are both too old for such bickering but not too old to be commanded to sleep", their hooded guardian spoke as she gestured to the wooden hovel that amongst the reddened dirt of the plains that served as their homeland all these years. The two adolescents picked themselves up from the fire's side and ambled away as slow as possible.

"Toadstool."

"Pfft, you do not even know what that is, Cub."

"My name is Morrigan."

"To your rolls already, you two", their caretaker called at them.

"Sorry, Omen", they replied in grumbled unison.

"Eunuch."

"Spinster."

"SLEEP!"

The wooden door clattered shut silencing any last minute barbs the dark haired duo slung at one another, leaving Omen alone and quite exasperated. Her own children, despite being a shared fantasy between herself and her long lost Templar, were nowhere near as unruly. But their tensions were just misplaced anger and confusion at the thoughts of leaving the only home they've ever known.

The Witch and The Warden had departed days ago preparing the means for their return to land of the living, and the children were still coming to grips with the fact Omen would not be joining them. She was from the Fade and never truly alive nor dead but here she found herself in this world where the Dead only lingered long enough to be forget their old life and return anew, reborn into another babe, another destiny. She would never meet this fate, and this did not sit well with her charges.

The reformed Desire Demon sighed and stirred the now glowing embers with an old arrow shaft. Young Morrigan had remembered her Mother's recounting of their past. The Drake had held its ground against the dead, while she had desperately attempted to bond with Vann whether or not it was even possible, and Morrigan did her best to guard little Osen and his recently conceived sister.

Cub, or Morrigan, as she had recently claimed as her name, knew too of the intervention by the Dead Wardens. Despite the victory, the alliance was short lived as once Loghain had passed into this dead world, so would the knowledge of Pup's origin. Thus they demands over the life of the male child, their reasoning that if the child would ever return to Thedas that it might draw the Darkspawn back once again to the surface and should the Taint ever infect Pup - Osen, another Blight could commence.

The Wardens still loyal, even in death, to the children's former Warden-Commander father had divided the Dead Warden's forces and that bought the little family the years they needed for the children to become old enough and skilled enough to survive the return to Thedas and the state, their Grandmother, Flemeth's machinations had left it.

Omen cast her gaze to the moonless twinkling of the night sky. Their parents would return soon to take them all back to the tunnel that had brought them to this desolate place. The fallen demoness took solace in the fact her loss of her adopted family would be only brief as, unbeknownst to the children, the last vestiges of her meager life force would empower their Mother's spell that would reopen the portal. Soon they'd be home and then she would find her peace.

~~~

The End.

~~~

Author's Note: Okay, so its a bit of an abrupt wrapping up for events but the story isn't entirely over. There is more to come but this is it for their time in "The mirror world". I do plan on doing some fill-in-the-gaps pieces set in The Mirror World regarding Loghain and Duncan's involvement, but not immediately. Instead I'll be continuing the tale of the return to Thedas in "Hall of Mirrors". I had been planning this out for a while and it won't be suited with my short thousand word bursts such as ITLOE was written. So longer chapters, more detail, and a much larger cast with clearly defined threats.

In The Land Of Ever was originally just supposed to be like my other little exchanges and scenes as posted on the various Official Character threads, but I found I really wanted Morrigan and The Warden to have more adventures, dammit. But I realized I couldn't move the story forward with DA2 on the horizon and on my brain. So thats why I'm moving forward.

Hall Of Mirrors will be set a few years after the ending of Dragon Age 2, and my first DA2 playthrough will feature my Hawke using the ITLOE canon Vann Cousland save. So in about a month I should have Chapter One ready to go and of course it'll have its own thread here on the Community Creations forum before it hits FanFiction.net (another timed exclusive, huzzah!) lol

Anywho its been a learning experience working in Fan Fiction like this, and I aim to continue. So big props to my readers for sticking with me and giving me great constructive feedback, and the Dragon Age creative crew for making all the awesome!

~ Dr. Esbat von Lichtenstein, Esq.

Modifié par Esbatty, 06 mars 2011 - 12:41 .

[Morrigans God son]

Great!

[Esbatty]

Morrigans God son wrote...

Great!

Glad I still have at least one person still reading lol

Also I'm gonna give ITLoE a once over correcting grammar and such, adding in some sections I wrote but ultimately did not include due computer troubles (damn you Gmail!). Oy, now if UPS would just update that my package is on the damn way so I can play some DA2 tomorrow lol