It took a while before I could stand again. The root Leliana had given was not as potent as Neraka's, but it had quelled most of the pain. More importantly, it had bought me precious time. And with her help, I felt more confident I could clear the final trials. For the first time in a long while, I dared to hope.

"Is the headache better?" Leliana asked.

"Just about," I said.

"You must tell me immediately if it returns," Leliana said. She turned aside. "It is…one of the last stages of the poisoning, before it stops the heart. And I cannot grant you anymore time."

I gulped. I was fortunate she had reached me when she did.

"It should not be far now," I said. "There are only two trials remaining."

"So the Guardian spoke," Leliana replied. "Let us move on."

We entered the next passage. The walls were damp, the air heavy with the scent of the burning torches. This part of the shrine was much less extravagant than what had come before. There were no engravings, no statues, no ornaments, not even marbled floors. It had been built for practicality rather than superficial beauty. That could only mean whatever lay ahead was incredibly dangerous.

My foot caught a loose stone, and I stumbled. That trigged a bout of dizziness, and I had to stop. Leliana hurried to my side, holding my shoulder.

"Are you sure you are alright?" Her voice quivered with worry.

"I will have to manage," I answered, blinking hard. "I have no time to rest."

Leliana's gaze softened. She waited until I took another step, then fell into rhythm beside me. Her gaze was filled with guilt.

"I can't believe she did this to you," she murmured. "That after all this time, she never stopped watching me. Never stopped wanting to hurt me."

"Who, Marjolaine?"

Leliana nodded. "I…did not tell you the entire truth about why I was in Lothering. Why I abandoned my life in Orlais and entered the Chantry." She glanced at my wounded hand. "Perhaps if I had been more honest, this would not have happened."

"It was my own carelessness that led to this," I countered. "And it takes no fool to realise how dangerous this woman is."

"In that, you are correct," Leliana said. "I have never known Marjolaine as anything less." She fell silent for a moment, her eyes distant. "Yet there was a time I admired her for it." She swallowed, adjusting her bowstring. "A few years after my mother died, she took me under her wing. She taught me everything. The ways of the Orlesian courts, the games the nobles played, and how to bend the rules to a bard's favour. I soaked up her knowledge, coming into my own and making my name." Her expression soured. "And I loved it. Deceiving men in their own beds so they might never wake again. Poisoning targets under cover of darkness, planting letters of blackmail and watching the chaos unfold…it was all I knew, and I became very good at it."

"So what changed?" I asked.

Leliana closed her eyes. "I overstepped my business. I had been sent to kill a man and retrieve his possessions. Nothing I had not done before. I did not even know his importance. So I hunted him down, and found sealed documents on his person. Documents I should have left well alone, yet for some reason I felt compelled to look. Against my better judgement I opened them, and discovered that Marjolaine had been selling information abroad."

"So she was charged for treason, and still resents you for it?"

Leliana gave a wry smile.

"If only it were as simple as that," she answered. "I resealed the documents and returned them to Marjolaine, but I was worried she would get caught by the authorities." She bit her lip. "I cared too much, and so I was foolish enough to voice those concerns. She brushed them aside and said nothing would come of it. I believed her, just as I had always done. Until I was cornered by Orlesian guards and presented the documents, now altered to look like I had been their author."

My eyes widened. "She betrayed you?"

"And I received a traitor's punishment because of it." Leliana's voice strained; it was a painful memory. "I can barely speak of it, even now. Eventually I did escape, and fled to Ferelden—to Lothering—for my safety. I thought that would be the end of it." Her jaw clenched. "I was naïve to think I could leave her behind."

"I'm so sorry," I said.

Leliana shook her head. "She has made her motives clear. I will face her again, but not now. First, we must get you well." She managed a dry smile. "Nothing would make me happier than to see her face with you by my side."

I had to smirk, also wanting to give that Orlesian witch a taste of her own medicine. "Then let's make sure it will happen."

We came to the next chamber. It was smaller than the previous ones, and most of the floor was missing. Only twelve carved panels remained, surrounding the gap. The exit stood well beyond, made up of a jutting ledge and twin pillars, and there seemed no way to reach it.

"It is too far to jump," Leliana deduced. "And we have no rope."

"There must be another way through," I said. "Let's take a look."

I took a step inside. My legs shook a little, but were able to keep me upright. The herb was doing its job. Leliana reached out, like a mother afraid to let her baby walk.

"Elissa, are you sure you can…"

"I'll be alright." I strode to the first panel, inspecting the engravings. They were merely decorative, yet some parts seemed more worn than others. In fact, judging from the size and shape, it would match the area of a footprint.

Tentatively, I placed a foot on the panel. The carvings lit up, a rush of lyrrium passing beneath the stone.

"Look!" Leliana pointed to the chasm. I stared. A stone block had materialized from no-where, and now floated in the middle of the emptiness. It looked identical to the exit ledge.

"Try stepping on another panel," I instructed. Leliana nodded, walking to the other end. When her weight activated the mechanism, a further block appeared, adjacent to the one I had conjured.

"It does not look right," Leliana commented. She reached into her quiver, producing an arrow. She fired it at the block, where it proceeded to fly right through it. "As I thought, an illusion. It does not look like we can go this way."

"Wait." I moved to another panel. It did not respond. Frowning, I tried the one beside it. This time the carvings glowed, and the first floating block flashed. "Try your arrow again."

Leliana obeyed. She released her bowstring, and the arrow bounced off solid matter.

"It worked!" She nodded at me. "Keep pressing panels and I will test them."

I stepped over to the fourth panel. Another ethereal block appeared, completing the 'bridge'. It failed Leliana's test, so I went to the final panel on my side. My foot pressed into the carving, and all of the blocks disappeared.

"Maker's breath, who created this nightmare?" I held my temples, my headache threatening to return. "I don't have time to play around!"

"Elissa, calm yourself," Leliana said. "We must keep focus if we are to beat this puzzle. We will try again."

She stepped back, and the panels were reset. I took a deep breath, trying to put the pain out of my mind. Leliana was right. If I gave in to frustration, I truly would be too late.

Once more we began to step on the carvings. One by one we activated the twelve panels, hoping to establish a pattern. As I watched the blocks flicker in and out of darkness, it finally clicked. This was very similar to a game I used to play with Orin. His room in Highever had similar tiles, and he loved to challenge me to reach his bed. I would only be allowed to step forward if he was on the right tile, otherwise I'd be sent to the start again. While our floors had not been enchanted with lyrrium, the principle was the same. He had been very bright for his age. Maker how I missed him…

"Elissa?" Leliana had returned to my side, holding the back of her hand to my forehead. "Has it returned? Are you unwell again?"

I gently pulled her hand away. "Sorry, I was…reflecting. But I think I know the answer now."

"Oh?"

"There is no way we can activate all four blocks at once," I said. "So I will walk across as you make them appear."

"I can't do that!" Leliana cried. "If I make a mistake and you fall to your death…"

"You won't make a mistake," I said. "I will tell you what order to step in. But it's the only way we can get across."

Leliana pouted. However, she let her shoulders sag in defeat.

"Very well. We haven't much time."

Nodding, I waited at the edge of the empty floor. I pointed to the first panel, and Leliana depressed it. Then I guided her to the fourth panel. The moment she activated it, the first block appeared. I tested it with my foot, confirming it was no spectre, before stepping onto it. Leliana tensed.

"This one next," I said, gesturing to the fourth panel. Leliana walked on, bringing forth the lyrrium glow. The next block appeared, and I took another step forward. Leliana moved, and the block behind me vanished. I licked my lips, planning the next move.

"Done." Leliana stood on the second panel, and the third block took shape. Only one further block remained to reach the other side.

I turned around, studying the remaining panels. If I did not get this right, the block beneath me would vanish. However, as I made the calculations, the chamber suddenly shook. Rocks tumbled from the ceiling, and I dropped to my knees. Dust trembled around me, and Leliana gasped. Debris started to hit the panels, causing the blocks to phase in and out. I cursed, trying to stand. The chamber was going to collapse!

"Elissa!"

"Stay where you are!" I shouted. "If you move, this block will disappear!"

Leliana froze. "But the chamber…"

"I'll think of something!"

Another chunk of the ceiling fell away, striking one of the exit pillars. It groaned, loosened from its foundation, then toppled forward. It hit my block, the impact throwing it off-balance. I yelped, scrambling for purchase as I slid towards the abyss. My hands grasped the jutting stone, saving me just in time. The pillar was right beside me, completing the rest of the bridge. Still the chamber rumbled, and I gritted my teeth. If I didn't move, I'd be crushed.

With strength I never knew I possessed, I snatched the pillar. My arms trembled, begging me to let go, but I pushed through. Slowly, I shimmied along, my legs dangling over emptiness. The broken stone cut into my hands, raw and unforgiving. Finally I found my grip on the ledge, and I pulled myself up. I collapsed onto the cold stone, my whole body aching. At the same time, the tremors stopped, and I heard a click. Moments later footsteps rushed, and Leliana pulled me into her lap.

"Elissa, are you alright?" She shook my shoulders. "Say something!"

"Ow," I muttered, brushing my sore palms. Then I realised. "Wait, how did you…"

"When you reached the exit, the bridge completed itself," Leliana said. "Just in time, too, otherwise I would have been buried." She wiped her brow, caked with dust and sweat. "By the Maker, what a fiendish challenge! I would have rather faced a hundred spirit warriors."

"I won't argue with that," I replied. "But I don't think the tremors were meant to be part of the puzzle." I pushed myself to sitting position. "Something is happening outside. We must complete the last trial quickly."

Leliana nodded. Draping my arm over her shoulder, she helped me stand. I staggered, taking a moment to find my balance. I would not be able to walk alone; my head was starting to swim. Leliana waited patiently, until I nodded. She had to take most of my weight.

"You truly amaze me, Elissa," Leliana said. "I have never known anyone to fight Black Locust poison for so long. It has slain even the hardiest soldiers within days."

"I had help," I said, concentrating on my breathing. It was starting to hurt.

"Perhaps, but you underestimate your strength," Leliana said. She fell quiet for a moment. "You should not have left us. We need you."

My heart sank. I was waiting for this to come up.

"You don't need me, you have Alastair," I said. "One Warden is more than enough."

"It is not the fact you are a Grey Warden that makes me say that," Leliana said, slightly affronted. "You are what Ferelden needs right now. Alastair cannot handle the responsibility. It chips too much away from him, and he is too hesitant."

"You think my choices have been any better?" I scoffed. "I've let too many innocents die ay my hand."

"And what about the innocents you saved?" Leliana shook her head. "You should not have let Alastair and Wynne's words get to you. They were not there; they did not see the slaughter as we did!"

"I still failed them," I answered. "I should not have panicked."

"I do not call taking decisive action 'panicking'," Leliana shot back. "You did precisely what was necessary, and saved the village. Have you forgotten how grateful the people were?" Her grip tightened. "They would not have asked you to pursue the Ashes otherwise. They believe in you."

"Their faith is misplaced," I growled. "If Redcliffe has proven anything, it's that I can't trust my own judgement. I let an innocent woman die when I promised I would save her. I was selfish, and weak."

"You are wrong, Elissa," Leliana retorted. "If you truly believe that, then why did you seek me out, knowing Marjolaine had sent agents against me? When the poison could have claimed you at any moment?"

I remained silent, struggling with my thoughts. True, I had not hesitated to intervene when I saw the mercenaries. But that was not the same…

The ground rumbled again. Leliana pushed me into the wall, sheltering me from the falling debris.

"What is going on?" she cried. A loud screech answered her, and then the wall shattered. Leliana pushed me to the ground, as bright sunlight filtered through the new hole. It soon disappeared, though, as the High Dragon's head poked through. It sported several small wounds, and its left eye was glazed, blinded by magic. It must have been attacking the shrine and caused the tremors.

"Go!" Leliana hauled me to my feet. I urged my legs to work, finding some strength to half-run, half-stagger down the passage. My lungs burned, and I held the side of my chest. The High Dragon roared, and a jet of flame escaped its mouth. Leliana cried out, and I looked back. Her bow had been singed, and her left gauntlet was blackened. However, she made no motion to retreat, and drew her dagger.

"Leliana!"

"Get to the last chamber!" Leliana yelled. "I will hold the creature!"

"What? You can't fight a High Dragon!"

"If you stay with me, it will have us both!" Leliana argued. "Go, now!"

"But…"

The High Dragon interrupted, forcing its way into the passage. More rocks fell, and then it rammed the wall. I fell, skidding across the floor, when the ceiling behind moaned and collapsed.

"Leliana!" I rolled to my front, gawking at the mess. The entire passage was blocked with solid stone. "NO!" I crawled to the mound of debris, clawing at the rock. "Leliana, answer me!"

I was only met with silence. Tears spilled down my cheeks, and I held my face in my hands. Maker, please, not Leliana! I would bear any other test, fight a thousand warriors, overcome a hundred riddles, walk into the heart of the Deep Roads and never return, but not this…please not this! I owed her everything…

What good will tears do?

I snapped my head up. A voice had spoken directly to my thoughts. But who?

Come now, Pup. Crying won't make it better. Let me help.

I froze, a familiar warmth flowing through me. I knew that voice. And I hadn't been called 'Pup' for a long time, not since…

"Father?"

A dark blur appeared above me, and I looked up. Through my tears I made out the face of my father. He was just as I remembered him. He smiled, and my heart ached. I wanted so much to jump into his arms, but instead I turned away. No matter how much I still wanted it, I knew he was an illusion. This had to be the final trial.

"Leave me alone," I said.

"I am not here to provoke your grief further," my father answered, kneeling down. "You are so close to what you seek, but I sense you are giving up. Why?"

"I…I no longer care what happens to me," I said, drawing my arms around myself. "I have lost too much. I can bear it no longer."

"Yes, you have walked a hard and lonely path, Pup," my father said. "It has taken much from you, and I am sorry I cannot be there. But have you forgotten what you fight for? It is not only yourself." His fingers brushed my cheek. "The Maker has a plan for us all, and you are no exception. Remember what you have overcome…"

The stone passage faded, and my eyes closed. The darkness receded, and I was in a familiar setting; the Highever castle kitchen. But I was merely an observer. Below me, I saw myself kneeling before my parents, begging them to join me and escape. Duncan had his hand around my wrist, knowing my words were futile. Then at last we departed, my father calling out his final farewells.

You survived us, and the Cousland name, my father said. You live for our memory.

The scene changed. Now I was watching myself in Ostagar, fighting an ogre alongside Alastair. As we put the beast to rest and lit the beacon, the room overspilled with Darkspawn. We fought valiantly, eventually overwhelmed, until a giant talon broke through the wall and snatched us away.

You survived the Grey Wardens, and retained the means to stop the Blight. You live for their noble cause.

Once again the vision faded, replaced by another. This showed me fighting the abominations in the Circle Tower. So close we had been to failure, yet we broke through the sloth demon's prison and ended the ambition of the rogue mage.

You survived the Circle, preserving magic in Ferelden when it might have been lost forever. You live so that mages may practice their art in peace.

Another jolt of the world, and the visage of the golem Caridin appeared. I saw myself speaking to him, warned of the anguish his tool had wrought, and chose to destroy it forever. Branka fought hard against us, desperate to see her vision of the Anvil realised, but we had stopped her.

You survived the Deep Roads, restoring a ruler to the Dwarves and putting their disagreements to rest. You live so that Orzammar will not destroy itself.

I tensed, knowing which vision would come next. As expected, Redcliffe appeared, showing me fighting off the undead. As I fled the losing battle, Lady Isolde came forth, affirming her decision to be sacrificed instead of Connor. I snapped my eyes shut, trying to blot out the scene, but the voice continued.

You survived Redcliffe, ending their torment of darkness. You acted quickly, and did everything you could to minimise the loss of life. You live so that the people still hope, and believe in a champion.

"No," I whispered. "I…I did not do enough…"

"You did everything you could, and more," a new, female voice said. "Now put it behind you, Elissa, so we might end your poison and serve justice to Marjolaine!"

Someone grabbed my hand, and my eyes opened. Leliana was kneeling beside me, smiling.

"So, are you going to sit there all day or shall I just fetch the Ashes for you?" she asked.

"Leliana!" I threw myself at her, holding tight. She returned the embrace just as fervently. "Maker's breath, I thought you were…"

"It was close," Leliana admitted, "but it will take more than a High Dragon to stop me." She held my shoulders. "The way ahead is clear. Come."

She helped me to my feet, and together we limped to the end of the corridor. She had lost her bow, and she was holding her left forearm close. I would have to ask the story of her escape once this was over.

The final chamber emerged. A staircase stood in the centre, leading to a tall statue, and below it rested a bronze urn. We had finally arrived. However, as we neared the steps, a light appeared below the statue. Swiftly it formed into being, and the Guardian returned. He walked down the stairs, smiling.

"You have walked the path of Andraste and proven yourselves," he said. "You have earned your right to the Ashes. Go, pilgrim, and be cleansed of that which ails you."

He vanished, leaving the path empty.

"We are here at last," Leliana breathed. "I cannot believe we are in the presence of Andraste herself." Renewing her grip around me, she took the first step. I followed, my eyes fixed on the urn. It gave off a brilliant light, filled with unmatched power. I had no doubt it would rid me of the poison and set me free. Truly I had been tested to my limit, and I was fully aware I could not have come this far alone.

"Leliana, thank you," I whispered. "I…"

"Hush," Leliana answered. "It's almost over."

We came to the last few steps, and I was able to look upon the contents of the urn. It glinted with light, dazzling me, and I had to close my eyes. At the same moment, my legs faltered. Leliana held on tighter, trying to keep me upright, but my muscles had lost all power. I dropped to the top of the stairs like a puppet with its strings cut. I could no longer move. Seconds later my head surged, and my neck arched.

"No!" Leliana tried to pull me the last of the way. "Elissa, we're right here! You have to hold on!"

"I…" I reached out, grasping at the brilliant light. Blackness began to descend, and I tried to scream, but my voice wouldn't respond. No…not when I was so close! I…had to…

"ELISSA!"

Leliana's cry faded, and the world fell away from me.

I was too late.