Well, kids, here it is, the final chapter in my tale. I hope you've enjoyed reading my little story as much as I've enjoyed writing it. It's here where I admit that this story is the absolute first I have ever written of any kind. No short stories, articles, essays, blogs, or even poetry. I didn't mention this before because I didn't want my work "graded on a curve" as it were. If it sucked, then it sucked. No excuses.

Thanks to all who have reviewed, added my story as a favorite or update, or just took the time to glance at the story. I never suspected I'd get this good of a response. You guys have been great. Which reminds me...Invaderxim, I would be honored if you or anyone else wanted to make art for my story, but you never left me any way to contact you. The image I've uploaded as my avatar would in fact be "the" Dwemer that you asked for. I've been told he looks quite a bit like me, but I don't see it. Leave me an email address or something if your still interested.

So where does it go from here? I don't know...you all will have to tell me. Will there be more to the tale of The Grey Warden and his Witch of the Wilds? If there is enough people asking for a sequel, I might just have to write one. We will see.

I guess the only thing left to do is tidy things up for The Warden and his fair Morrigan. Now that the beast has been slain, do I finally give the pair some peace and happiness? Will there be a "Happily Ever After"? Hmm....maybe. But you guys know by now that I have to screw with them a bit first. Nothing ever comes easy. =)

So without further delay, the final chapter....

Part XXVI

The skies began to clear overhead and the sun shown through for the first time in days. Beams of light burst through the clouds creating pockets of white across the landscape. The Warden stopped for a moment to allow himself to be bathed in the light of a sunbeam. He closed his eyes, face skyward, feeling the warmth on his face. He stood there for a while, not moving and not saying anything, just basking in the sun's rays. A soft hand slipped over his shoulder. He turned to see his witch staring back at him with a small grin. Her hand slid from his shoulder, down his arm, to his hand, clasping it, entwining her fingers with his.

"With people looking?" he asked, amazed that she would dare do such a thing in the presence of others.

"Let them look." she returned slyly, giving a backwards glance to the others in their company. "Twill not be the last they see of it." she finished as she leaned nearer to him, her tender lips inviting him closer.

"And you wish to do this in front of an audience?" he asked, coyly, a small grin beginning to creep across his face.

"Silence and kiss me." she replied, moving in.

"Oh, lovely." Alistair moaned, "Here's where they get all kissy-face."

The Warden, Morrigan, Seth, and the rest of their party departed the lonely keep on the northern coast of Ferelden, with the orbs in their possession, and traveled back to Highever. It was a strange journey. For the first time in as long as any of them could remember, there was no threatening danger that overshadowed them. They were merely travelers on their way back home.

Home. That was a funny word, The Warden thought. The grand castle he knew as a boy hadn't really been a home to him for some time, not since the night his parents were murdered by Lord Howe's men. After that fateful night his life had changed forever. It was as if someone had plucked him from his lush existence as the teyrn's son and dropped him into a swirling vortex, inside which he tumbled aimlessly among the blackened void until he found her. Or maybe she found him. It didn't really matter. They had survived everything that heaven and hell could throw at them and were still together. And as they journeyed the dusty roads of Ferelden along their way back to Highever, The Warden would often stare at his witch as they walked.

She was graceful and elegant in her steps, the envy of any Dalesh maiden. Her raven black hair, which was tied up in a bun on the back of her perfectly shaped head as usual, was as soft and smooth as the finest Antivan silks. Her legs seemed to go all the way to her shoulders, on the way passing the most inviting and scrumptious derriere any man had ever seen. The Warden had always considered it a living work of art, so perfect was her...

"Is there some reason your gaze is fixated on my posterior?" Morrigan asked, catching him red-handed.

"Uhm...uh..." he stammered, caught off guard, "Just taking in the beautiful scenery. That's all."

"Aren't we the flatterer." she returned, "I would, however, prefer that you at least feign eye contact when I am trying to speak to you."

"Oh, I'm sorry. What were you saying, again?"

The witch rolled her eyes and groaned. "I suppose I shall have to find a way to talk with my backside. That, at least, you pay attention to."

"And your boobs. Don't forget your boobs."

"Be serious." she said as she slapped his shoulder. "I asked why was Alistair made king if no Grey Warden may hold a title."

"I'd be curious to know that myself." Leliana agreed.

"Special exception." both men answered simultaneously.

"And that being what?" Morrigan asked.

"Because of the need for a king, he was granted a special exception. It's something that's rarely done, but sometimes a Grey Warden's duties involve more than fighting darkspawn. It requires at least two senior wardens. Since Ferelden was without any I served as the first senior Warden while Riordan served as the second, representing Orlais."

"And that's how your lover boy stuck me with being king." Alistair said.

"Is being king so repugnant to you?" Morrigan asked as she turned to at Alistair, "Were I in your position I am sure I could find such power quite useful."

"Thank the Maker you're not." Alistair replied, "The thought of it alone makes me shiver."

"'Tis good to know my friends think so highly of me." the witch quipped back.

"Friends....? You and me? I...uh..." the king stumbled.

"Why, dear Alistair, whatever is the matter?" Morrigan said, playfully batting her eyelashes at him.

"I hate it when you do that." Alistair grumbled.

In due time, the party found its way back to Highever and Castle Cousland, where both Teyrn Fergus and the mage, Wynne, awaited them. As The Warden and company walked up the steps to the castle, the teyrn wrapped his arms around his brother in a big bear-hug, picking The Warden up off his feet in the process. "I get it. I get it. You're glad to see me." The Warden strained to say.

"I'm glad to see all three of you back here together. It's as it should be." Fergus said, approvingly. "So I take it there's a wedding to be planned, then?" he asked with a wink.

All eyes suddenly focused on the witch, including The Warden's. Turning her head to return her warden's gaze, Morrigan said, "Indeed, there is." bringing a smile to his face.

The bard's muffled squeal could only mean one thing, the witch knew, "Leliana, would you care to help me plan it?" Morrigan asked, causing The Warden and Alistair to both to a double take.

Leliana squealed joyfully and hopped in place like a little kid.

"I would take that as a yes." Morrigan said.

The old mage approached The Warden, "Warden, I believe I have something that might interest you." she said as she held out a rolled up piece of paper.

"Is that...?" he asked.

"I think you'll find what you are looking for on that script." she returned with a nod, causing Morrigan to raise her eyebrow at The Warden.

"What have you there?" the witch asked, gesturing at the paper in his hand.

"It's a surprise. I'll tell you about it later."

After the long ride back to Highever, The Warden, Morrigan, and Seth retired to the peacefulness of their private quarters in the castle. The witch was preparing preparing to give Seth his supper and lay him down for the night. The Warden stood at the open window, staring out into the village below. He was pondering everything that had happened to him over the past couple of years and how fast everything had gone. He lost his mother and father in the same night, fought the blight and stopped the archdemon, and then there was Flemeth and all she caused. But for now, at least, there was peace.

It was time for him to come to grips with where it all began. Tomorrow he would head to the larder, he decided, and put the past in its place. For good. Suddenly, the "thump! thump! thump!" of someone knocking at the door could be heard.

The Warden, seeing the witch otherwise occupied, walked to the door and opened it. Leliana stood in the hallway with a somber look on her face. Her large, blue eyes looked up at The Warden. "May I come in?" she asked.

The Warden cast a glance at Morrigan who shrugged her shoulders. "Sure." he replied, "What's up?"

"Actually, I wanted to talk to Morrigan. But you need to hear this as well."

The Warden and his witch traded another puzzled glance at each other. "What's this about?" he asked.

"Morrigan...what I did to you was hurtful and wrong. That is not the type of person I am. I'm sorry for the bet I made with Zevran."

"Bet? What bet?" The Warden asked, even more confused.

The bard lowered her head, "I bet Zevran five silvers he couldn't charm Morrigan into thinking he liked her."

"Leliana...that's just mean. I would never expect something like that from you." The Warden said, shocked.

"I know. I am ashamed I did it. Can you ever forgive me?"

"You already have been." the witch said.

"Thank you. I mean it." the bard replied, "You are good friends. Both of you."

"You're not so bad yourself, Red." he returned.

Leliana smiled at The Warden's statement. "Well...that's all I needed. I should get going and let you two have some privacy." she said as she turned to leave. "Let me know when you want me to help you, Morrigan. I can't wait to get started."

"We shall begin tomorrow morning." Morrigan said as the bard exited, closing the door behind her.

The Warden returned to his spot at the window while Morrigan finished feeding Seth, who would surely be taking his first steps any day. Over the course of their adventures, he had grown considerably, even cutting his first teeth. That was when Morrigan put him on solid food for the first time, after showing The Warden the red bite-marks their son had left on her breasts.

"I think he's teething." was all The Warden could offer at the time.

"Do you now?" the witch had responded sarcastically, "And where ever did you get that idea? Could it possibly have come from the large chunk of flesh missing from my bosom?"

The time had passed quickly, The Warden thought. His son was growing before his eyes. It wouldn't be long before they were celebrating the child's first birthday. Thinking of his son's birthday reminded The Warden that Seth's wasn't the only one coming up soon. "Are you ready for your surprise?" he asked the witch as he opened the chest where he stashed the script and withdrew it.

"I must admit, I am rather curious." she replied as she laid Seth down in his small bed.

"This piece of paper in my hands answers all the questions about yourself you had."

"Such as..."

"Your birthday, who both your parents were, and things like that."

"Where did you get such a thing?" she asked in amazment.

"Wynne was kind enough to find out for me."

"She did this at your request, did she?" she asked, sounding annoyed, "And what makes you think I wanted such things pursued? Especially without my knowledge?"

"I just thought you might like to know, that's all. I wanted to surprise you with it." he said as he walked toward the burning fireplace, holding out the paper. "I can get rid of it instead if you like."

"No!" she exclaimed, grabbing his hand. "It would make little sense to waste Wynne's efforts." bringing a smile from The Warden. "How close was I?" she inquired.

"Fairly close. You were only off by two years."

"Older or younger?"

"Older." he answered, causing the witch to scrunch her face.

"So I am that much closer to being a wrinkled old hag." she huffed.

"Yeah, but you'll be the best looking wrinkled old hag around." he joked.

Morrigan giggled at her warden, "You are too kind." she said.

"Do you want to see it?" he asked as he held the paper out, which she snatched from his grasp with the speed of a cat.

The old mage had really outdone herself. Using a spell she was able to look into the past and see where and when Morrigan was born, and to whom. As it turned out she was the child of a couple who owned a tavern in Highever. The witch found this to be extremely ironic, but fitting. The script even divulged the reason behind Morrigan's golden eyes.

It seems that even Flemeth had no way of knowing whether or not a child would have magic talent. So the hag had devised a way to ensure Morrigan would be a mage. Using dark magic, she infused Morrigan's blood with a small amount of blood from a high dragon, turning the witch's eyes golden in the process. So ingrained was the dragon's blood within Morrigan that she had passed the same trait on to her son, making his magical abilities almost a certainty.

"To finally be made aware of these things...to, at last, know who I am completely...'tis...incredible. Words fail me. You have my thanks, truly." Morrigan said after she studied the paper intently.

Looking up at him, she purred seductively, "I suppose some form of reward is in order."

"I was hoping you would say that." he replied, moving closer to her.

Their lips met and their arms wrapped around one another. Deep, powerful needs drove them as they carelessly ripped each others clothing off. He scooped her up in his strong arms and carried her to their bed, laying her gently down as his lips drank deeply of her. His mouth trailed down her now naked body, his tongue driving her insane. Sensing her urgency, he climbed atop her, sliding between her parted thighs.

"I must have you now." she moaned as she reached around him, grabbing his fleshy cheeks, and pulling him closer to her.

"Yes!" she cried as he claimed his prize. "Yes....Oh...wait...no...No!...Not yet! DAMNATION!" she yelled out in frustration.

"Sorry." he said sheepishly as she rolled off her and laid next to her, "It's been so long. I couldn't help it." he muttered.

"You could not take matters into your own hands, as it were?" she huffed.

"I told you, I don't like doing that." he explained, trying to appease her, "There's two things wrong with it: I'm being touched by a guy, and I'm touching a guy. I can't get passed that. I'm sorry. Give me ten minutes, I'll be ready again."

It wasn't long before The Warden was able to make good on his promise as he and the witch enjoyed a night of total passion without interruption for the first time in a very long while. So intense was their love making that they named it. Gregory to be exact. And afterward, as she lay beside her warden that night, Morrigan thought of the future and what it might bring.

Everything that she and The Warden had they had to fight for. And even though Flemeth was gone, Morrigan couldn't help shake the feeling that more struggles lay ahead. Either it was the will of the gods that they be together, or their union occurred in spite of their wishes, the witch didn't know. But she swore to herself that she would be at his side no matter what.

He slid his arm behind her and pulled her closer to him. "Your desire?" she asked as her large golden orbs hypnotized him.

"Only you." he answered.

The End.

Afterward

So there you have it. I hope you enjoyed the story. Now that's it's actually finished I'm both relieved and saddened. Writing this took a lot of time and effort, but I really loved every minute of it. I don't know how far I was expecting this to go, or if I would even finish it. I hardly imagined I would write twenty six chapters worth! I never knew the game had that much of an affect on me. Well, not the game but Morrigan mostly. And, I guess, that I can better understand. As I've told a few others, I happen to be married to a "Morrigan".

The first time I saw her I was hooked. Those gorgeous deep blue eyes of hers were the envy of any tropical lagoon. I always did have a thing for girls with dark hair and freaky eyes. But my friends saw fit to warn me about my new obsession. "Stay away from her. She's a a stuck up bitch. She's mean and evil. She's the devil and she'll steal your soul." my friends warned me at length. She even came with her own version of Flemeth for a mother. But I didn't listen. Not even close. I ended up marrying her.

Then after ten years, she left. Bam! Gone. No reason. No warning. No nothing. I was devastated. Luckily we managed to reconcile and have been together ever since. But it still bothers me greatly that she might leave again one day. That's something that Dwemer and I both share.

Why am I telling you all this? I don't know. Maybe I thought you might be interested in why I wrote the story. Maybe not. If you weren't you probably wouldn't still be reading now, so I guess you are.

Anyway, I feel much better having written this. Maybe it will appeal to others would have gotten burned by the witch. Even if it doesn't I still appreciate all those who took time to read it. If any of you have any questions about the story you would like answered, please feel free to contact me and ask. Until next time.