It was a lovely place to make my home. There was plenty of access to all corners of the fortress without needing to go through the Great Hall. Kieran liked it simply because of the variety of people that would come and go. I remember having my own reservations towards such exposure with the Chantry and such. But I refrained. The boy needs to learn how to adapt to all sorts of people. Or so my Warden says.

I brought her to a small room on the side. Unlocking the magical lock and closing it securely behind us. Parker was quiet, but curious. I could see it. I always appreciated how she did so quietly, with me at least. Not willing to break the progress of our movement for silly questions. I moved up to the large cloth-covered placeholder against the wall. It was two men tall and extremely powerful. The fabric was tugged away, revealing an extravagant mirror of sorts. In which Parker finally spoke. "What…what is that?" She requested, reaching for it. I swatted at her out-stretched hand, forcing it away.

"Tis a mirror. As well as a doorway to other worlds. The elves called it an Eluvian and used it as a manner of transportation." Parker was silent. Thinking over her words. I tried to read her face. Smirking. "Solas knows there is something here," I responded, the shift in Parker's features making it clear I had answered one of her contemplating questions. "I have seen him wandering around outside from day to day but he has made no effort to get in." I gave a small shift of my glance to the door out of habit and then back to the mirror. "Come, I have more to show you." I swept my arms forward and the mirror swirled into a vortex, my hand gesturing in front of me for Parker to lead. She looked at the vortex hesitantly, eyes to me, and then back at it as she finally entered.

We stepped into a dream-like landscape. A courtyard in an old-looking ruin, magical grass growing between the worn stones. Parker was looking around, looking at the other Eluvians that surround the space. The majority of them are broken. I admit one or two were by my own hand. "I call this place the crossroads. An in-between world that is much like the Fade. It gives access to other Eluvians all across Thedas as well as worlds beyond." Parker paused, her observation either complete or had been forced to pause due to too many questions.

"How did you find this place?" I sighed, knowing very well that the question was reasonable. It was such a long answer, though. I did my best to condense it.

"After the end of the Fifth Blight I went in search of one, for my own reasons. The one we passed through, in fact. And when I found it so did my Warden…against my specific instructions." At a time I was able to hold more genuine annoyance towards what he had done. Though times change and I suppose I have as well. "But no matter, we entered together once he was assured Kieran was in safe hands. Time is different here and we spent many generations in this world." I hummed to myself. A moment of weakness, I know. I recollected on the years of unaltered bliss. Years filled with just the two of us. Kieran would come up in conversation but in the end my Warden fell into a similar state of awe. We watched each other grow old. And then we wandered back home before the Fade could claim us. I had wondered if my mother had done something similar, with her generations of knowledge. If I did not have Kieran now I would have returned before the events of the Conclave. I would have brought my Warden with me so that we could ignore the Calling and the world as a whole.

"What is his name?" The question was sudden. Breaking me from my thoughts.

"Pardon?"

"Your Warden. You have never mention him by name. Just title." My mouth opened. It was the first time the woman had truly left me speechless. I had never anticipated that this would be the moment that would do it.

"Oliver," I suddenly stated, clearing my throat. His family name was not important to the question, so I believed. And Parker seemed satisfied with my short response. Moving instantly away from it without more than a shuffle of her fingers through her hair.

"So you believe Corypheus will use an Eluvian like this to get into the Fade?" She reached for a stone, possibly expecting to slide right through it. But it was solid, as solid as we were.

"In a sense. The Veil is weak here. Tis not something that exists as anything more than an idea. Like a dream. While you and I see this, he may see something different. It maybe be a hallway or an arena. No matter what he sees I believe he has the magic capable of tearing away the walls and stepping into the Fade." Again silence. Parker considered. Contemplated. "There is another Eluvian, like this one. It is hidden deep within an old forest. Deep within an elven Temple."

"Where is it? Should we not be able to see it?" Her question was a reasonable one as she gestured to the other mirrors that were still whole.

"It has yet to be unlocked. Which can only be done in front of the physical mirror."

"Of course it does," she muttered, making me smirk.

"Now you see why I wished to explain this to you first?" Parker looked at me with an understanding nod and a smile. A respectful smile, I believe.

We exited the crossroads, back into my broom closet of sorts and I closed the mirror. Leaving the cloth off of it now that I had no reason to hide it. I would continue to lock the door outside, but that was based off of my own paranoia. Kieran was a curious boy, after all.

"I have a question," she remarked upon our return to the garden. "Your Warden." I admit I found it odd she still called him as such considering she was one of the few that knew his name. I suppose it was her way of respect. No matter. "The stories of him say he entered the Deep Roads many times. Do you not think…?"

"That he and Corypheus met?" I finished her question with a smirk and a shake of my head. "No, I do not. I know he has met an Imperial Magister, but not like the one you battle against."

"Why is he not here? You claimed he was on a journey, but from what you have told me it seems like he has more reason to be here and helping." I turned to where Kieran was playing. Not studying. But I let it pass at the time, letting us finish our conversation before I ended his fun.

"The Calling that Corypheus controls the Grey Wardens by…it is a reminder to all Wardens of their mortality. They are cursed, after all. Their blood contains evil. All Grey Wardens hear it when their time is coming to an end. Even King Alistar will hear it. My Warden…Oliver began to hear it a few weeks before we parted." I did not realize till after that conversation that I had never told anyone this before. Tis odd speaking to a woman with her own past struggles. Her own understandings. Tis odd how easy it can be to reveal everything. "There is a way to be rid of the Darkspawn blood. There are multiple cases where it has been held at bay. Oliver is searching for a more permanent solution. In hopes of removing the hold the Darkspawn have on the Grey Wardens."

"And you intend to join him after this? With Kieran?" She was startled. Worried, perhaps. I chuckled, giving her a single nod.

"You seem to underestimate me."

"No, that is just it, Morrigan. I don't. And it makes me fear for both of you." There was an uncomfortable pause. The two of us staring at one another. Pain in her face. Confusion in mine. She could see more than I expected, then. Perhaps it was the magic in her scar. Or perhaps it was truly just the woman. Perhaps I was still the one underestimating her. Even after all this time.

COMMENTS: Merry Christmas to all to celebrate it and Merry Free-Day-Off to everyone else. I hope you enjoyed the additional chapters and look forward for the chapters to come! Enjoy!