Author's Note: My apologies for the lackluster epilogue...As much as I've enjoyed writing this tale I'm grateful to have finally wrapped it up as I am no longer inspired by it.

This tale was inspired by a wonderful drawing I saw over here. It is called Meeting and it was created by Sia-Chan. As much as I'd like to take credit the concept and inspiration belongs entirely to her.

Also certain quotes used in this particular chapter was borrowed directly from the DLC titled Witch hunt. So this too belongs to the amazing Bioware writers.

Beta: Sadly none so far. So please excuse all spelling and grammar mistakes I swear they are not intentional.

It was the rumours of the Eluvian that first alerted Alisa of Morgan's intentions. Five years had passed since that fateful night the arch demon was killed. It was about as long since she had last seen the estranged warlock. Alisa could no longer say if his mysterious departure was the blessing she had once desired. As loathed, as she was to admit it a part of her missed the opinionated apostate.

With only an enchanted ring and a dried onyx rose left in her care Alisa left the comforts (if one could call it that) of her life as a grey warden in search of the one who had forever changed her life. Cousland had always been one for adventure. She was also the only one who knew of the dark ritual, and the effects it had on Alisa. Neither knew the effects it would have on Morgan.

The ritual will absorb the taint from you and draw it to me, The memory of his words whispered in her mind as Alisa guided her companions through the labyrinth of ancient dwarves ruins. Drawn by rumours of a rogue Maleficar in the region Alisa chose to explore the ruins personally. She too had questions that needed answers.

What becomes of you once the taint is absorbed? Wouldn't demon's essence kill you? she once warned him.

I will not perish 'tis not my path, Morgan spoke no further of the matter.

The tomes she found spoke little of the magical mirrors. Not enough to reveal what had become of the ones who used it, nor did it reveal any hint as to why Morgan sought its use. Alisa was certain it was related to the dark ritual; she wondered if it was a curse or cure, that he sought. For all his selfishness, Morgan's actions that night had not been entirely ignoble. Both the warden and Alisa were living proof of that fact.
The warlock's subtle attempts to keep in contact with their daughter revealed another part of him; his desire to be near. It did not take Alisa long to know he was watching her from a distance. Her ring revealed as much, and there were times when she could almost feel his presence just beyond reach.

A dream, and many rumours later, Alisa's hunt for the warlock she once sought to be rid of had finally reached its end. Alisa did not know what to expect of their reunion; the weariness and turmoil she saw in his eyes had not been it. Neither was the dark black veins that crawled up his arms and tattooed chest. His skin, always naturally pale, was now ashen; his eyes normally sharp and alert were dim with exhaustion. Morgan was dying and Alisa knew the dark ritual was the cause of it.

'You promised me that you would not perish. 'Tis not my path,' you said,' she said in greeting. A hint of a smile graced his lips but could not erase the weight of his eyes. 'Morgan you are still every bit the poor liar I once knew,' Alisa added with a wry, yet sad, smile.

'And you are still every bit the fool. For I am very much alive,' he answered in almost exasperated tones. The warlock's appearance was not the only thing that had changed. His golden eyes were softer now, and the bitter air of disdain that once lingered about him was no longer there. Had Alisa not known any better she might have mistaken his watchful expression for something akin to contentment. Even his voice lacked the snide cutting edge she had once knew so well. Such thoughts were promptly buried for the ex-templar was reminded of Morgan's words. He was not a man prone to nostalgia; like love, it was a weakness he could do without. Alisa wondered, as she often did, if his late father was responsible for that too.

'I assume you know what this is,' he said glancing over his shoulder to the mirror behind him. For all intents and purposes, it appeared like any other mirror, save that it lacked a reflection. 'I have gone to great lengths to find this ancient portal, and not even you can stop me from activating it,' he warned.

'I know,' she simply replied. There was little that Alisa knew of the Eluvian's power, and even less of its affect on those who encountered it. 'Where do you hope it will take you? Or what, rather, do you hope to achieve?'

Morgan fell silent for a moment, as he studied her with watchful eyes. Though he appeared stoic, Alisa could see the internal struggle in his eyes. In another time, another place she would have mocked him for it, taking advantage of the rare moment of vulnerability; all she felt now was compassion. For all of his sharp and harsh words, there was more to Morgan than the misguided and obstinate image he tried so hard to maintain. Alisa knew that he was a good man; the way he had subtly watched over their daughter was evidence enough, the fact he willingly sacrificed himself to save the Warden and her was even more so.

'It will take me to another place, far beyond this world, and even the Fade. What I hope to accomplish-tis none of your concern,' he began. The former templar frowned as she silently approached, closing the distance between them. 'Not another step further,' he warned. 'Give me a reason and I will activate it, and you will not be able to follow.'

'Then why don't you do it? I'm sure there are a million of reasons you could use to disappear in a puff of smoke. Every one even more convincing than the last,' Alisa retorted, calling his bluff with a sad smile. 'Truthfully, you could have left at any time and taken our daughter with you. Yet here you remain; why is that?'

Morgan's eyes fell to the ring he had given her the morning after the dark ritual. Day after day, Alisa would promise herself that she would be rid of the cursed thing the first chance she had. Yet day after day it remained firmly in place on her finger until years later Alisa finally allowed herself to accept the truth her heart had always known.

'You kept the ring,' he marvelled in quiet tones. Alisa simply nodded, as her eyes met his own. The warlock's smile, though weary, was sincere. 'I have sensed your approach-' his voice trailed off. 'I never hoped-' he began again only to fall silent once more. 'No, I knew that one day you would seek me out,' he finally confessed. 'Though might I ask why did you come? If not for my pleasant company, or my dashing good looks.' His jests sounded tired to Alisa's ears, as though the mask Morgan once readily wore had grown too thin.

'Maybe I just don't like unfinished endings,' she said with a raised brow and a hint of a smile on her lips.

'I thought we had an agreement, Alisa. Once what is done, was done. We would part ways, never to return. That was our deal was it not? A deal you are breaking,' he pointed out. There was no denying the almost impish look in his eyes or the smirk on his lips. Morgan had changed so much and yet some part of him still remained. He always loved breaking society rules, and the standards that the world had tried so hard to impose upon him.

'A deal that you broke first,' Alisa corrected, as her own smile grew mischievous. Morgan's smirk faded as he reached out to lightly brush back the loose strand of hair that had fallen in front of her eyes; a simple gesture, one that spoke volumes.

'Tell me what do you hope to gain by coming here now?' he asked, his golden eyes watching her intently.

'Answer me first, and maybe I'll tell you,' she replied. Morgan breathed a heavy sigh as he glanced away.

'Tis as much for our daughter's future, as it is for my own. Beyond this place, she will learn of her powers without ever fearing for her life. Nor will she ever be judged for her magic or grow corrupted as so often happens to those who know not how to wield it properly-'

'Now who is the one being an idiot?' Alisa cut in in disbelief. 'You don't even know for certain if this portal will even work. Nevermind the effects it has on those who use it! Yet you seek to send our daughter through its gates anyways.'

'You already know that this child means to the future, and why all this 'tis necessary,' he calmly replied. 'You also forget that I have far more knowledge of this Eluvian than most everyone else in Fereldan; perhaps even in the known world. Clearly, you know this to be true. Otherwise, why else would you have come here? Or why would you permit me to see our daughter, even from a distance?' he said.

The warlock gave her a wry smile as he continued. 'Rather than rob her of her gifts, as most mothers without magic would have, you instead chose to aid our daughter in embracing her destiny. Yet here you stand in shock because I seek to continue what you have already begun?'

Morgan was right; it hurt more than she cared to admit. He knew better than anyone else of the destiny that lied ahead for their daughter, and how to best prepare her for it. Deep down, Alisa had always known this truth, just as she had always known that one day she would have to let it all go. The realization did not make the decision any easier.

'You knew this had to be done, and that is the real reason that you are here,' he said in quiet tones. Never had Alisa seen him more frail, or vulnerable in all the time she had known him. Immediately she recalled Duncan's words about the slow death; the sort that stole a grey warden's soul, without ever stealing his life.
In his eyes she could see how much the taint had devoured Morgan's flesh. Wynn claimed that beyond the Eluvian's mirror, was a realm that could heal one of the dark spawns taint. Alisa had never took much claim in the old warlock's tales. Now she desperately hoped that there was more to the wistful legend than fanciful ideals bore no weight in the real world.

'Actually, I had come for you. You need me-and perhaps, I need you a little too,' she blurted, feeling suddenly foolish for her admittance. He spoke not a word in mockery. Instead he stared at her in disbelief, his golden eyes filled with emotions the warrior maiden never would have imagined that he felt for her.

'You once argued that love is not weakness,' he said in tones so soft, that Alisa was uncertain she was actually meant to hear it. 'I will never understand you. And you will never understand me,' he then added in a slightly louder voice. There was no venom to be heard; only curiosity and a little sorrow.

'Then help me understand. A wise man once told me, that understanding is the only cure for ignorance,' Alisa said, quoting her late mentor Duncan.

'A wise man indeed. 'Tis a shame he only had you to call his apprentice,' Morgan mocked with a hint of a smirk. At any other time, Alisa would have rose to the taunt. Instead, she felt only relief to see a reflection of the man she had once known and had since come to, dare she admit it, love.

'I…would not even know where to begin explaining,' he continued with a soft sigh. Studying him intently Alisa realized no explanation was needed, for his thoughts now mirrored her own.

'At any time you could have robbed me of our daughter. Claiming her for your own without warning, and certainly without my knowledge,' she admitted. 'Yet you remained biding your time, waiting for me to find you first. Perhaps I understand you better than you believe.' Alisa said reaching out to take Morgan's hand into her own. His fingers were still soft, yet strong, and as before they fit into her hands perfectly.

'Or perhaps t'was I, who knew that you needed me,' he softly replied. Their eyes met, and in his gaze the warrior maiden saw only the truth.

'Our daughter, where is she?' the warlock asked. 'Is she safe? Is she near?'

Alisa gave a nod, as her eyes drifted to the strange mirror that lacked a reflection. Morgan had yet to activate the portal, but even she knew enough to know that once it closed it would never open again. Whatever was to come now, there would be no turning back.

'She is safe with Wynne, and she is near,' she answered. 'The child is an innocent, Morgan. She knows nothing of the destiny that lies before her. It is our duty, as her parents to ensure she remains that way until she is ready to embrace it.'

'I will not rob her of her childhood, as my father had robbed me of mine. But I must prepare her for what is to come, or she will become corrupted by the power that she will one day wield,' he warned. Alisa understood all too well the weight of his words. She too, in her own limited way, had sought to teach their daughter what she could of the world and magic. Wynn of course was a far better mentor, but Alisa wanted the child to learn the ways of both worlds. She knew that Morgan understood this too.

'She needs her mother, as much as she needs her father,' Alisa said, ensuring the warlock was clear of her intent.

Morgan merely nodded in assent. He too needed no further explanation. 'Then you shall join us beyond the portal,' He concluded. 'T'would be wiser for you to remain, but you have always been a fool. Far be it for me, to suggest otherwise,' he added with a sigh. This time there was no denying the flicker of joy she saw in his tired gaze.

'Where you go, I will follow,' she affirmed, before adding with a wink. 'Whether you like it or not.' Morgan smirked, and once more she saw a little of the man she knew.

'How the roles have changed,' he said as his expression softened. Alisa felt his grip around her hand tighten. 'Then come, my love,' he softly whispered. Now it was Alisa's turn to squeeze his hand. 'The portal will only be opened for a brief time, and it will require a great deal of power. Once it has closed it will never be opened again.'

'So make your farewells, gather your daughter and together we will face the future, come what may.'

With a smile on her lips, the ex-templar rose to balls of her feet and kissed the mage full on the mouth with all the love she bore for him. Hesitant, then eager, Morgan returned her kiss; his hands slipping from her grasp, so as to wrap around her armoured waist. After years of absence, the desire of their hearts could be denied no longer.

It was two days before Alisa was able to convince Wynne that the journey was indeed in her daughter's best interest, and another week for her to gather her things in preparation. A single day to make her farewells, but several hours to get their daughter to go to bed so she would be rested enough for the journey.

Alisa found Morgan waiting for her at the entrance of the caves. Though the dangers had long since been eliminated, the warlock remained watchful and wary. He feared his father's return, and spoke of all that he had discovered during his hunt for the last Eluvian. This time it was Alisa who found herself assuring the warlock that there was nothing to fear.

Approaching the Eluvian, Morgan drew upon his magic, activating the portal with a few words spoken in a language she did not understand. The task took much from the young warlock, causing Morgan to stagger and sway as he stood before the mirror. Immediately, Alisa was by his side slipping an arm around his slender waist, just as their daughter promptly grabbed his hand. With a shy smile she kissed his cheek as their daughter beamed up at him; proud as any child would be of their father.

Together, they stepped through the shimmering glass of the Eluvian's portal; they never looked back.