#OT3: Paper Boats Floating on a Stream

[morganaseren]

((I'm finally back with part 2 of this post for @illusivesoul! Sorry that this took so long again, friend! 😅))

Pairing: Morrigan/Niamh Cousland/Bethany Hawke

AU: The Poets Must Be Out for Blood

---

Kieran was a blessed boy.

Curiosity had originally surrounded him during his initial appearance in court. He'd been a mere babe then, balanced on his mother's hip as he idly gummed on the wing of a stuffed griffon toy while he stared with wide-eyed wonder at Orlais' marble and gilded halls.

Morrigan drew no end of suspicion and fear with her presence. She was an extension of the Empress' power and so was capable of sowing fear into enemies and the occasional unruly ally alike. Her son, however, was quite the opposite in demeanor. Even with his youth, he had somehow drawn several prominent members within and without the empire into his orbit.

Knight-Enchanter Bethany had been a fixture within the Imperial Court for the better part of a decade, serving less an advisory position to Celene as her mentor Madame de Fer did but was no less a protector. She also seemed to have some familiarity with Morrigan--one that hadn't been denied but neither woman seemed willing to elaborate further upon. Her protection had also extended to Kieran, for she often watched the boy when business required the Arcane Advisor's--admittedly exceptional--expertise elsewhere on the Empress' behalf.

It wasn't odd to find the two wandering about the Royal Gardens in the early afternoon, either strolling through the sprawling landscape, his small hand clasped excitedly in hers, or gathering herbs within it as he focused on the task with child-like determination.

At the end of the day, Kieran was always delivered safely back to his mother's side by the ever gentle and watchful Knight-Enchanter. The process was repeated on enough of a regular basis that those within the Imperial Court began speculating upon the relationship between the two women, especially when the boy had grown old enough to form words. It was perhaps no surprise at all when he had eventually taken to calling the Knight-Enchanter Maman--the Orlesian name for one's mother.

That, of course, had set a number of tongues wagging among the nobility. Speculation began anew with fervent intensity, especially as they turned their attention to Kieran's physical features. His eyes were the perfect mirror to his mother's--a distinct and piercing gold--but while his hair was the same dark shade, it was... different in texture. While it wasn't quite a match to Bethany's tighter curls either, it was at least closer to hers in appearance than Morrigan's own.

As both women were powerful mages, it didn't seem so farfetched an idea they might have conceived him together using magic. Thus, the mystery of Kieran's absent "father" seemed to have been solved.

...at least until another two seasons had passed.

---

"Sire!"

The word rang across the promenade with barely-contained enthusiasm as the toddler took off from his mother's side and that of his Knight-Enchanter guardian to run toward the figure standing in the midst of the curious crowd.

The woman in question wore the familiar blue and silvers of the Grey Wardens. The intricately-crafted steel pauldron that sat atop her right shoulder--depicting a griffon with its wings extending upward--indicated her prestigious rank among the Order while the fur mantle of the cloak upon her opposite shoulder designated her Fereldan heritage. Even beneath the light of the mid-autumn day, however, there was a specter-like quality to her eyes with how pale they were--a paleness that was further enhanced by... familiar feathery tresses framing her face. Granted, one eye was half-obscured by an ink-black fringe.

...Not unlike Kieran's own forelock in appearance, some realized, utterly mystified.

"Hello, my Little Lord," she said, scooping the boy up into her arms when he was within reach, their kinship all too apparent now beneath the many watching eyes. "Have you been behaving for your mother and Bethany while I've been away?"

A tittering giggle met her inquiry as he wrapped his arms around her neck, tucking his face against it as if to hide the sound of his mirth. A dark brow arched at the gesture, but there was little denying her indulgent smile as she languidly strolled toward the women in question.

"Your laughter tells me 'no,' which means I'll hear no end of your activities from them both soon enough..."

Although seldom a seen presence in Orlais, those who knew anything of the Fifth Blight were familiar with Niamh Cousland--younger sister to the Hero of Ferelden and was also the country's own Constable of the Grey.

Like both Bethany and Morrigan, she was another powerful mage--one who was very capable of tearing the heavens asunder if rumors were to be believed. The watching nobility couldn't help but think them to be true as they felt the aura radiating from her--less the respective spring breeze and burning heat of summer of the Knight-Enchanter and Arcane Advisor and more akin to rolling thunder enrobed in a winter's kiss.

The theory they'd had regarding Kieran's parentage was then further turned on its head as they regarded the three women--clearly comfortable and content in one another's presence.

Had his actual conception been borne of the Arcane Advisor and the Warden-Constable, or was he perhaps an... intriguing combination of the three?

Either theory filled them with discomfort, for there had admittedly been discrete talk within the upper echelons of Orlais to use the boy against the Arcane Advisor, especially when the woman so easily foiled any subtle plots against Empress Celene. However, with the new evidence presented before them, it now seemed... an ill-advised idea at best. For the Warden-Constable whom had struck the killing blow against the Archdemon and the two women who held back the tides of darkspawn threatening to overwhelm them all... Well, what threat could a mere mortal soul hold in comparison?

So, yes, perhaps it was better that the boy was left alone when it came to any matters concerning The Game.

[morganaseren]

[KICKS DOWN EVERY DOOR IN EXISTENCE] Y’ALL I HAVE BEEN BOUNCING OFF THE WALLS ALL DAY BECAUSE OF THIS 😭😭😭 Look at this! Look at this perfection! 😍

So this is Niamh in one of her Warden AUs with Bethany and Morrigan. This is set some time pre-Inquisition. The three of them have long been in an established relationship together by then though. I love the idea that Niamh snuck into Morrigan’s private study, likely as a raven to avoid unwanted attention from the Imperial Guard and Empress Celene’s court. Bethany likely arrived afterwards once the two women were curled up by the fire, but in a display of how she missed Niamh, she initiates the kiss seen here.

As is evident by their respective outfits here, Morrigan is Empress Celene’s Arcane Advisor, Bethany is a Knight-Enchanter and also Madame de Fer’s protegee within the Montsimmard Circle, and while Niamh is wearing the Grey Warden uniform, she’s not actually my canonical Hero of Ferelden. That title actually belongs to her older sister Saoirse. Niamh, however, is the Constable of the Grey for Ferelden, so she’s the second highest-ranking Warden within the country and a rather formidable mage.

Because Morrigan and Bethany are based in Orlais though, their respective duties tend to keep the three women away from one another more than they would like, but I’d be lying if I said Niamh didn’t take any and every opportunity she could to see her sweethearts! 🥰 ...not to mention spoiling a certain little boy who was conceived as a result of a Dark Ritual threesome. 😉 But WOW! I still can’t get over how amazing this all looks! And the details, y’all! Do you see how Niamh’s hand is cheekily running up Morrigan’s leg beneath her dress? Or how Bethany’s expertly undoing Niamh’s belt buckle with one hand! And omg, seeing Niamh’s thighs in those straps is doing all kinds of things to me...

And that background! The overall atmosphere! Their expressions! Their outfits! Their hair! I swear, Marty does Niamh’s hair so amazingly well in every commission I’ve asked of her. It’s like the perfect amount of wavy and fluffy. 10/10! Perfect score! Fantastic all around! I love this so much! 😭

A lovely commission for @morganaseren of her Niamh with Morrigan and Bethany! ✨

Commissions (OPEN) I Patreon I Ko-fi

[morganaseren]

I awake to fresh ideas! Okay, I’m going to amend a few thing around this post in regards to the Dark Ritual because I am an absolute sucker for angst and make no apologies for it!

So because defeating an Archdemon requires the sacrifice of a Grey Warden, Niamh originally intended to give her life for their cause. In addition, because she underwent the Joining during the advent of a Blight, her life has been significantly shortened. Plus, by the time they make it all the way to Denerim, she’s also convinced she’ll never see Bethany again. Logically, it just makes a saddening amount of sense if she sacrifices herself, especially if you tie in the fact that she (like Bethany) struggles with the idea of her worth as a person due to her magic in the world of Thedas. Her sister Saoirse in comparison is a warrior, who Niamh sees as much better suited to the role of hero in the wake of this terrible war and would be the best one to carry the world forward.

Of course, this idea of sacrifice gets turned on its head somewhat when Bethany makes her appearance at Fort Drakon to rescue them.

Niamh is absolutely elated to see her again, but her happiness gradually dwindles. If anything, Bethany’s return also solidifies Niamh’s commitment to ensure the Archdemon dies by her hands if only so that it means that her lover will live on in the Blight’s aftermath.

This, of course, leads to quite the argument.

---

“Bethany, the fate of any Grey Warden was always going to be an early grave! What does it matter if I give my life against the Archdemon now rather than another decade or two later?”

“It matters to me! Thedas would be saved, yes, but I need you to understand that my world would be destroyed in turn if you do this!”

---

It’s around this point that Morrigan reveals the option of the Dark Ritual to them, and there’s a moment of relief for Niamh when she realizes there’s a way out--that she could aid in saving the world without having to give up her life or Bethany.

Bear in mind, however, that Niamh and Bethany are each other’s firsts. Even in their forced separation from one another, they never really entertained the idea of being with anyone else. They’ve both been through so much together as a couple and as individuals, but in even contemplating the idea of accepting Morrigan’s offer, Niamh fears this could be what finally breaks them.

Admittedly, when Bethany meets with the Origins crew, she’s understandably jealous of Morrigan at first. Canonically, Morrigan has always been one of Niamh’s favorite companions, and despite her original desire for distance from everyone, Morrigan considers Niamh to be someone quite dear to her.

And I think Bethany realizes that.

Having Niamh sire a child with Morrigan would serve the witch’s ultimate goals, yes, but that she offered the ritual up at all wasn’t a matter of lust or even greed for power on her part. Morrigan genuinely does care for Niamh and does not want to see her die.

With Bethany and Morrigan, they come to an understanding with one another in regards to Niamh, especially once Bethany realizes she has to convince her lover to perform the ritual with Morrigan. The conversation between Bethany and Morrigan would be something along these lines:

“Thank you for keeping her safe when I couldn’t be there for her.”

“Then aid me in ensuring her safety one last time.”

So the Dark Ritual threesome does happen!

Whether something more comes out of that remains to be seen, but let me just say that I am completely enamored with the idea of Kieran essentially having these three powerful mages as mothers who love and look out for him the best they can. 🥰

Morrigan still leaves for Orlais eventually, but because Bethany is stationed at the Montsimmard Circle with Vivienne, she’s usually a part of the older woman’s entourage to various events within the country. Thus, I imagine Bethany’s path would cross ways with Morrigan’s often in the Imperial Court. She always politely inquires to Morrigan’s health and Kieran’s well-being. When her duties as a Knight-Enchanter don’t require too much of her, she even offers to look after him during those times where Morrigan has to be away in meetings or some such. Academically, I imagine they would both get along just fine as they research various ways to help prevent Niamh’s untimely end.

As for Niamh, I still headcanon that she takes on the mantle of Warden-Constable in comparison to Saoirse’s Warden-Commander role. Even so, she still makes time to travel to Orlais to see Bethany, Morrigan, and Kieran even up to the moment she eventually has to leave them all to find a cure for the Calling.

Because of how tight-knit the three women are, even Orlesian nobility knows not to involve Kieran in The Game in any way, for who could ever survive the resulting reprisal from one of the most impressive Knight-Enchanters of the last generation, the dreaded Arcane Advisor of the Imperial Court, and Ferelden’s formidable Constable of the Grey?

They’re a rather unconventional family, yes, but isn’t that the core of most Dragon Age games anyway? 🤣

@morganaseren: my biggest and only idea rn is a dark ritual threesome, or a variation on that post i saw recently i forgot to reblog (rip my life), where the ritual isn't connected to sex at all morrigan is building a baby out of clay or some shit in the woods while the sky blazes crimson with the fires of denerim etc etc

or dark ritual threesome????

and/or bethany trying to smuggle letters to cousland through sympathetic/bribed templars but only one or two ever get through y/y

[morganaseren]

I’m going to leave you with a few more random thoughts I have over this because the plot bunnies won’t leave me alone. 😂

Since Niamh and Bethany specialize in different aspects of magic, Irving favors Niamh as an apprentice while Wynne favors Bethany.

When they finally do get together after a long bout of adorable awkwardness, Niamh and Bethany are each other’s firsts. They’re like the high school sweethearts who got together and just stayed together. 🥰

Unfortunately, their relationship gets found out. For the time being, I’m going to say that Jowan threw Niamh and Bethany under the bus to hide the fact he was practicing blood magic when Irving started getting suspicious.

As a result, Bethany is transferred to the Montsimmard Circle away in Orlais as a means to keep her and Niamh apart. They’re both understandably heartbroken by the entire thing.

Niamh ends up becoming a Warden in this AU. When she later learns more arcane magic through Morrigan, she becomes that badass, shapeshifting Elementalist I’ve always imagined her to be. 😍

Since the Montsimmard Circle is also where Vivienne is the First Enchanter, she ends up making Bethany her protegee. Bethany later becomes a Knight-Enchanter under her tutelage.

Prior to the Landsmeet, Empress Celene sends a retinue of Knight-Enchanters as backup along with some Orlesian Wardens, but progress was halted at Ferelden’s border thanks to Loghain.

Bethany managed to sneak into the country and is the one who frees Niamh and the other Wardens from Fort Drakon, leading to a long-awaited reunion. ...they only got imprisoned there because Saoirse sucks at subterfuge. 😅Niamh didn’t want to risk Loghain’s most trusted Lieutenant growing suspicious of Anora and having her confined again, which is why she opted for the route of surrender.

I’m still undecided about how the Dark Ritual should go. In any AU where Niamh’s a Warden, she’s usually the one who sleeps with Morrigan so that none of the other Wardens have to sacrifice themselves against the Archdemon. Since she’s still in a committed relationship with Bethany though, that kinda leaves Niamh in a tough spot because she obviously doesn’t want to betray her... 😭

Regardless, they both survive the final battle. Niamh and Bethany share some years of peace together between their respective duties before Niamh has to go off in search of a cure for the Calling.

Because Bethany has Vivienne as a mentor, she also becomes an accomplished alchemist in her own right, and she studies possible ways to ease the worst of Niamh's pain from the tainted blood in her system.

This all, of course, culminates in a happy ending, but it just takes time for them to get there.

@morganaseren: i will GLADLY take responsibility for these gayass au hours if it means i get to witness that unfold omg