Green light filled the war room, causing everyone to freeze within their tracks. Cullen's eyes darted to Gwyn, who eyed her active Anchor anxiously. She cast him a slightly worried look as Morrigan finally broke the silence.
"It seems Corypheus is not content to wait." Her voice was soft, almost sorrowful for what this meant for everyone in the room.
"He's in the Valley of Sacred Ashes?" Gwyn questioned, the air of surprise lacing her voice. If she was scared, she wasn't showing it, Cullen noticed. He watched her furrowed brow as she sifted through her thoughts.
"You either close the Breach once more or it swallows the world." The gravity of the situation was sinking in with every word Morrigan uttered.
"But that's madness! Wouldn't it kill him as well?" Josephine looked over at her fellow advisors, panic spreading over her face. The thought that surely must've crossed Gwyn's mind dawned on Cullen. There's no time, there's no way. Finally, he forced himself to speak.
"Inquisitor," he swallowed dryly, "we have no forces to send with you. We must wait for them to return from the Arbor Wilds." It was a chance that she couldn't take, and he knew it. He had to try. Not Haven. Not again. He had promised her that much. Her brow furrowed and a deep exhale escaped from her lips.
"Just as Corypheus expects, I suppose," she grumbled. She rubbed her forehead in frustration and finally looked over at Morrigan. "Say your goodbyes and ready yourself. I'll meet you outside the steps of the main hall." Her voice was low as she glanced down at her feet, avoiding Cullen's gaze. He approached her side, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword tightly.
"We can wait for the forces, we could stall somehow," he pleaded, his voice lowered for her only. "I—" Gwyn took his hand from his sword and squeezed it, interrupting his train of thought.
"We don't have the time, Cullen, and you know that." Her hand lingered for a moment, her fingers running over the back of his hand until she finally gave Leliana and Josephine a curt nod. She hoped she could express how much she valued their friendship with just the look in her eyes until she finally turned to exit the room. Cullen followed suit, each stride of his matching hers. In the main hall, Dorian stood waiting. The look in his eyes said it all: It's time. Gwyn ignored Cullen for the moment. She had to; it would just make each decision harder for her.
"Gather Cole and Cassandra- we're going to take point. Varric," she was shouting across the hall now, "we're going to need almost everyone. Guards, scouts- any that Skyhold can spare. Have the rest of the crew meet outside the main steps. We march as soon as possible." She turned to head to her quarters without another word.
"Gwyn!" Cullen called after her as they climbed the steps and entered the chamber. She hurriedly grabbed her enchanter robes. Material flew everywhere as Cullen searched helplessly for the right words. "Can you just talk to me?" The words fell out of his mouth as Gwyn laced her boots tightly. The sentence seemed so simple, but he could not allow her to leave without saying something. Her eyes continued to stare at the lace of her boots until she reached for her jacket.
"I can't." It was no more than a whisper. She hurriedly checked her pack, confirming that she had refilled each item within. His hands reached for her face, gently lifting it so her gaze matched his. Tears were welling up in her eyes as his thumbs traced her cheekbones, her tattoo near her left eye, and eventually her jawline. Her eyes closed at his touch and she reached to touch the back of his hand. Finally, she shook her head and planted a kiss on his palm. "I need to go." Her back to him, she wiped her face with the hope that looking at him would hurt her less.
"Gwyn, please—" Cullen reached for her once more as she strapped her staff to her back. His mind raced. She might not come back. We talked about this. He searched for sentences to express just how much she meant to him, just how much he needed her in his life. She stood in the doorway for a few seconds in silence before turning around to face him. She braced herself for this moment ever since they realized it would always end with her leaving. She wanted to remember him smiling, wanted to remember the way he smelled and how it often lingered on her clothes long after she'd leave his quarters. She approached him slowly before tangling her fingers in his hair and kissing him. She gave a small smile against his lips before pulling away.
"I love you." She planted another kiss on his cheek before turning on her heels. She moved down the flights of stairs briskly, not wanting to look back. Cullen stood upstairs, her kiss left lingering on his lips and his hand formed into a fist. He had made her a promise when they first arrived at Skyhold. He would not allow what happened at Haven to happen again. He would not break his word only to have her endure this alone once more. His jaw clenched in frustration and he could not help but scream when his fist connected with the doorframe of Gwyn's chamber.
