Chapter 71: The Well of Sorrows
AUTHOR NOTE: My writing has slowed, my apologies. I'm not abandoning Ferox and her dwarf, so don't worry. I'm just struggling with writing a certain character, and my muse is fighting me. I do have the ending in mind, and I will continue, but the releases may be a little slower in coming, as I've used up my chapter buffer :( See you all soon!
"Abelas!" I shout. The elf runs forward, paying me no heed as a staircase appears under his feet and joins with the floor above. Declan is already in motion, reaching the stairs before the rest of us. With our shorter legs, Varric and I are the last to the top.
Morrigan stands before the Well. It looks much as I remember it: wide and shallow with a low wall. Abelas is glaring at her. I feel for his position, wanting to be able to protect the duty he was given by his goddess, but this won't end well for him.
"So the sanctum is despoiled at last," he says with a weary sigh. "All that we knew will be lost."
Morrigan glowers back at him. "You would have destroyed it yourself, if you had the chance!"
"To keep it from your grasping fingers? Better it be lost than bestowed upon the undeserving!"
"Stop, it, both of you!" I shout, silencing them both. My expression softens as I turn to Abelas. "Old friend, think clearly on this. Even if we walk away from the Well, those that follow us would not. There's no way that this ends with the Well intact. At least we would use this gift to create peace and set the world back right again."
"Of them all, you are the only one who would be worthy," he says, looking at me. "Please, if anyone is to use the Well, let it be you, Destroyer."
Declan looks at me. "Ferox? I know you said we shouldn't use it, but what if you did? Would it be any different?"
I shake my head. "We're not going to find out. The price is to be bound to the will of Mythal for all eternity. It's too great a risk; neither of us should do it, Declan." Abelas frowns but nods.
"I am willing to pay the price the Well demands," Morrigan insists. "I do not fear some ancient being that is in all likelihood, long dead. I have seen nothing to convince me otherwise. I am also the best suited to use it in your service." She directs the last toward Declan, and I'm reminded of how I found them standing close to one another in the puzzle chamber.
"Morrigan, no. I can't let you do that," I tell her. Not when you don't know the connection.
"I am forever balked by those who believe they know better than I," she spits out. "Then who shall drink, Destroyer, if you will not and I am to be denied?"
I look at Tenebris, who shakes his head. Neither of us can do this. The geas might not work on us, but binding the will of one god to another - who might very well support Fen'Harel's plan - is a bad idea.
I look at the others. Varric would never want this, nor would I ever give him to Mythal, no matter how desperate I got. And I doubt my brother will allow Dorian to take the risk, either, even if he is willing. That leaves Declan or Morrigan.
"Morrigan, there are things you don't know…" I hedge.
"And yet, it must be done. I am ready," she replies.
Tenebris explains, "Declan...if someone here is to do it, it must be either you or Morrigan. But either carries great risk."
"Then I will do it," Declan says quietly.
"No, I-" Morrigan protests.
"It is decided, Morrigan," Declan states flatly, walking toward the Well.
Abelas looks to me. "You would support this human as worthy?"
Declan looks back at me, and I meet his gaze. "I would. He has shown great promise and love for his people. He seeks to stand against those that would harm the people of this world, and a respect for those with knowledge that is beyond him."
"High praise indeed, coming from you, Destroyer. My duty here is fulfilled." He leans on his staff for a second, his eyes scanning the room one last time, before exiting, his feet silent on the stone floor.
"Ma serannas, Abelas," I tell him as he reaches the doorway. Thank you.
"Direth shiral. Perhaps one day, our paths will cross again." With a final bow, he disappears around the far wall.
Declan walks forward into the shallow pool, wades to the middle, and stoops to gather the water in his hands. I watch, my curiosity engaged. Mythal always guarded her secrets, and I'm quite interested to see what the ancient elves know.
Bringing his cupped hands to his lips, Declan drinks deeply, and immediately a change comes over the water. It begins to glow as though lit by magic underneath. I'm reminded of the Watcher's Well, and I feel a pang of sorrow. Lucis. Wait, is this my feeling or his? I've been closed off from Lucis since I chose to leave, but this feels...more like his emotions rather than my own. I can see the Watcher's Well in my mind, destroyed, the pieces still scattered where they fell. My heart aches.
I think on it, but know better than to mention it to Tenebris. I can almost hear Tenebris in my head, saying 'that psychotic bastard deserves everything he gets after what he did'. But really, I think Lucis was trying to protect me. No doubt he knew about Corypheus's ability already, which is why he tried to warn me away from him. But why couldn't he just tell me? I wanted to reach him so badly, to help him.
Then I remember Lucis using his magic to keep me at home, unable to help Varric or the others and my anger rises anew, blocking off the feeling from my twin. Good. The walls of my resentment snap back into place, and I'm more at ease. My shoulders relax, and I glance at Varric.
The glow of the Well of Sorrows intensifies, water evaporating into a thick mist, flowing into Declan, but all I see is the play of the blue light on my beloved dwarf's face. He's sweating a little from today's exertion and the heat of this place, and he's in desperate need of a shave, but I've never seen anything more beautiful. His eyes shift over to meet mine, and he smiles.
Finally, Declan cries out, and we all turn to look again. An explosion of power causes me to squint against the light, the magic washing over us like a wave. When it dissipates, Declan is writhing on his back in the center of the Well, the water gone. He sits up, groaning and holding his head.
"How do you feel?" Morrigan asks him.
He's slow to respond, tilting his head one direction, then other, lips slightly parted in concentration. "Strange...it's like I can hear whispers all around me, but it's hard to make out what they're saying."
She frowns. "You should be hearing shouting from the heavens. I told you I was a better choice!" She shakes his shoulder and Declan allows it.
I wonder again at their strange relationship. Morrigan felt comfortable touching the Inquisitor, and he didn't brush her off for it. I shake my head, knowing it's none of my business who Declan chooses to sleep with, but Morrigan certainly wouldn't have been my first choice.
"Are you alright, Declan?" I ask, taking a step toward him.
He nods, and slowly gets to his feet. "I think so," he responds.
His eyes focus on a point behind us and widen in surprise. I turn to look to find Corypheus standing on the far balcony opposite us. He spots us, and takes in the scene: the Inquisitor stepping out of the now-empty Well, and Tenebris and I standing next to him. Corypheus howls in rage and hurtles himself over the railing, floating on a trailing cloud of...something. Something dark.
Shit! I feel the panic start to rise again, only to look down and see Varric holding my hand. "Time to go, Firefly." His grin lights me with courage, and I nod, looking at my ring.
"Through the eluvian!" Morrigan shouts.
The mirror behind the Well bursts into light, the surface rippling with magic it hasn't seen in a millennia. The Well, I realize. The Well was the key to activating the eluvian.
We run at full speed, Declan ushering Varric and I through the dippling surface. Crossing through feels like having the breath stolen from my lungs and the soft, tickling drag of silk across my skin. We hurtle forward into the strange landscape. Varric and I are standing on a raised stone platform with stairs, and quickly descend to make room for the others.
I hear them appearing behind us, and the magic ending. No Corypheus. I imagine his fury, and chuckle in amusement. To my surprise, the sound echoes in this place. I look around me again in wonder. The mirrors are everywhere, dark, or shattered. Leafless trees dot the area, their pointed branches reaching for the sky like skeletal hands.
"Where are we?" Varric asks.
I shrug. "I...have no idea, I've never been here before. More than that it feels...different. This is not Thedas."
"I call this place the Crossroads," Morrigan explains, a smile threatening to form on her normally stern features. "The place where all eluvians meet."
Declan looks at me. "You've never seen this place?" he asks. "I'm surprised, I thought you would have seen everything, as old as you are."
Tenebris catches his attention. "We never had need of eluvians to travel. This place is fascinating. It feels...like magic, but not like the Fade."
"You mean you like it," I point out.
"I think I do," he answers truthfully. "I should like to study it further, if there is time."
"Let's just return to Skyhold for now," Declan decides. "We can work out the next part of the plan later."
"Warm meals and a soft bed," Dorian sighs happily. "Tell me I'm not dreaming."
"Morrigan?" I ask, looking at her. "You seem to know this place. I take it you know the way home?"
"Oh, now you wish for my opinion?" Morrigan grumbles, but after a look from Declan, she rolls her eyes. "Yes, fine," she acquiesces, leading the way through the myriad of eluvians.
She guides us to another mirror, no different than the others that surround it. She mutters something under her breath and casts a hand out toward the glass. It responds, shimmering into life as the other had before it. "Quickly," she instructs.
Varric and I go first again, stepping through, and I feel the eerie pulling sensation on my skin. The tiny hairs to stand upright, causing me to shiver.
"Glad to know it's not just me," Varric comments, seeing my reaction. "Your magic isn't anything like that. Your travel ring just feels like the room shifts around us. That felt like walking through slimy spiderwebs."
"Ugh don't remind me. I'm pretty sure I saw a few real spiders in that temple. Big ones."
The others walk through behind us, and with a wave of Morrigan's hand the mirrors surface dims again. This room is long and narrow, and a bit crowded with the six of us. It feels strange being back here when the bulk of our people are still back in the Arbor Wilds. It will take them some time to get back.
"I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm famished," Dorian comments. "I think we should get something to eat and rest after that little adventure."
Declan nods, and I can tell he's not focused. I walk over next to him.
"Come on, Declan, let's get you to the table," I instruct him, pulling on his arm. "Varric and Tenebris will go tell the kitchen that we're back, and have them put something together for you."
I look to them, and they nod, taking off in that direction
"Thanks, Ferox," Declan mutters, accepting my guidance. I wonder what he's going through. He'd mentioned hearing whispers before. That has to be a little disorienting, at the very least.
"I need to check on Kieran," Morrigan states. "I am sure I will see you later, Inquisitor."
I'll just bet you will. I want to trust Morrigan, as I'm grateful to her for Urthemiel, but something about her interest in Declan is rubbing me the wrong way.
After everything that happened, I should feel drained, should be wanting to sleep, but I find myself excited, instead. We'd fought our way through the enemy's ranks, and beat Corypheus to his prize. We kept him from getting the two things in Mythal's temple that could have let him get to us. Well, make that three - I got away from him, too.
I lead Declan through the lower portion of the keep, with Dorian trailing behind. It's nearly deserted, as anyone who could fight went to the front. Those that remained here were the non-essential non-combatants. It's a little eerie, the silence, but it's nice not to have to deal with so many people. I think of Vivienne in particular, and decide that I'm going to have dinner at Declan's table tonight, since I know she won't be there to ruin it for me.
I pull the chair out for him and he sits, letting me push it in as he does so; but then frowns at me.
"I should be the one getting your chair for you, Ferox. You're my guest," he says, trying to stand up.
"Just sit, Declan, it's okay. You've been through a lot today. This is just dinner with family," I tell him, but look over at Dorian, who smiles at me.
"That's right. I'll go make a suggestion on the wine," Dorian responds, winking at me. He knows how much I hate the usual stuff.
Dorian gets up from the table, leaving me sitting alone in the large hall with Declan. I smile at him, and pat his hand reassuringly.
"Are the voices still bothering you?" I ask.
"Yes. I've been trying to listen to them, but it's like trying to catch smoke." He rests his head on his hand. "Sorry if I'm not myself."
"I meant what I said earlier, Declan. You don't have to be the Inquisitor right now. This is just a family dinner."
He smiles, his handsome features softening. "I forgot how nice it is just to relax with friends. I feel like I've been running without stopping for months."
"I have an idea...if you'll permit it?" I suggest hesitantly, raising my hand, and grabbing my staff to indicate I plan to do magic.
"Of course. You trusted me with the Well, how could I do any less?"
I chuckle as I stand and move behind him. I allow a bit of healing magic to flow into him, easing his sore muscles before setting the staff aside. I create the warming barrier around my hands and rest them on his shoulders, allowing the warmth to spread over the surface of his skin, the tension easing from him.
"What is that?"
"Fire magic," I answer.
"Is that safe?" he asks, alarmed, turning in his chair to look at me.
"This is just simple stuff," I tell him, removing my hands. "But Toth has been good lately. Varric helps."
Declan looks off toward the kitchen, where Varric and my brother had gone to talk with the cooks.
"You two are lucky to have found one another," he says.
"Yeah, it only took me thirteen hundred years to find someone like him," I joke, but it's true. My own previous relationships were short-lived affairs that burned out as quickly as they started. I realize now that they were just infatuations...now that I know what real love is.
"Treasure the time you have together," Declan advises.
"Oh, I plan on it, but what about you? I saw the way you and Morrigan were looking at each other; you can't tell me there's not something there."
Declan runs a hand through his long auburn hair. "She's a confusing woman. Quite frankly, every time I think I figure out what she's thinking, she changes on me."
"That sounds like her," I reply, returning to my seat. "I don't really have any advice, but for what it's worth, I just want to see you happy. Whatever that looks like."
Declan smiles, and nods.
Varric and Tenebris return then, notifying us the cooks will bring out a simple meal in a few minutes. Dorian isn't long after them, bringing a bottle of - stars bless him - excellent wine, and we pour a glass each.
"To family," Dorian says, looking around the table at the rest of us.
"To family," we all respond in unison.
Before the glasses touch our lips, Morrigan bursts into the room, eyes wide, seeking out Declan.
"Inquisitor, I need your help! It's Kieran, he's gone through the eluvian!"