Here we go! One of my favorite chapters. =) Enjoy!
Solas was nearly positive he was going to murder Morrigan before they reached the inner sanctum of Mythal's Temple. Her butchered understanding of Elven history rivaled that of the most remote Dalish clans and her swift dismissal of both Ellana's input and his own on matters she didn't understand was simply infuriating. This was a Temple that held ties to both Solas and Ellana in a way that Morrigan would never be able to comprehend. Solas had an inkling that Ellana knew exactly where the Temple was located in the Arbor Wilds and what was held deep within its walls. She had been sharing stories about the fabled temple her around the campfires as they traveled all week. They were too accurate for mere coincidence.
The temple itself was nothing like Solas remembered, but at the same time strikingly similar in its somber atmosphere. It was a mere echo of what it once was, but the magic and the beauty was still there. Solas wished he could guide Ellana through this place and explain the meanings behind its history, but now was not the time and with the witch attempting to access the Well of Sorrows they were going to need to tread carefully. While she was ignorant of Elven culture she wasn't a fool by any means and underestimating her would be costly.
That is, if Ellana doesn't gut her for mocking her Dalish heritage.
Morrigan's more scathing comments started the moment the group entered the Temple and encountered a message for worshipers. Solas had no trouble reading it and watched as Ellana's eyes took in the writing. She brought her fingers up to spiraling branches on her cheeks for a moment before locking eyes with Solas. She knew what the message said.
They were about to start to embark on the path to the Well of Sorrows. "I can't make out much," Morrigan muttered as she butchered different Elven words attempting to make meaning out of them.
Shemlen.
"That much is apparent," Ellana sniped before making her way to the first puzzle within Mythal's Temple. Dorian snorted from behind him and Blackwall outright laughed. Solas smirked, just happy that Ellana wasn't letting this woman push her around.
It didn't seem that Morrigan appreciated the jab at her Elven literacy. "But, child, you come from a Dalish clan. You're a hunter, are you not? What would you know of reading in general, nevertheless, Elven language?"
Solas actually had to physically stop Ellana from lunging at her. It was a close call, her fingers were a hand's length from Morrigan's throat. "Morrigan, Ellana spends a large portion of her time reading and writing reports. She also spends a good amount of her time killing people. I wouldn't suggest provoking her," Dorian warned, attempting to keep the peace, which was good because Solas was a hair's breath away from letting their fearless leader rip this woman's head clean off.
Dorian's words did nothing to cool Ellana's temper as she stalked through the puzzles muttering curse upon curse in Elven. Solas was extremely glad that she wasn't a mage at the moment in time because she might have actually destroyed the temple in a fit of rage.
Though, it seemed that Samson was going to meet the rather gruesome end of Ellana's temper. Especially after he blew up part of the temple, much to Solas' horror. This was just another piece of sacred history that humans have soiled.
"Are we going to be hopping down that hole any time soon to follow them or are we going to mourn over the destruction of an abandoned temple?" Dorian questioned before Morrigan jumped in between the group and the short cut that Samson had just created.
"We need to stay on the petitioner's path. It will lead us directly to our destination."
Before Solas could even get another word out Ellana had brought her blade out and pointed it at Morrigan. "You want the Well, don't you? You don't even know what it does, nor its significance in my People's history!" She hissed, but Morrigan only gave her a condescending look before batting her blade away.
"I understood more of the tablet than I originally told you. It spoke of a boon with a terrible cost."
As if that was going to entice a child of Mythal. Ellana no doubt had an idea of the price one would pay at the end of this journey.
"Do you have any idea what this boon is and what it would cost to gain it?"
Or maybe she knew exactly what it would cost.
"No, but I'd be more than will to pay it."
Ellana scoffed. "Then you're a fool," she replied before turning back to the petitioner's path arms raised in exasperation, "Come on, we have more puzzles to solve. Might as well do this the proper way."
Solas let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. He had been so worried that she would ignore the correct route through the temple. Myna held little love for her mother, Mythal, who had cast her aside for ruling over her people, a mother to all, not just her own. He had been worried that this was translated into disrespect with Ellana. He knew that Ellana held no love for her people's gods, correctly taught by her mother, but the Sentinels of this temple would be in their right to kill the group for not taking the petitioner's path. They were watching the group from every angle and it wasn't until they reached the anti-chamber that they finally came out of hiding.
The room had fallen into disrepair since he'd last been here. What had once been a room of worship was now covered in debris and fauna. The magic that had once made the room opulent was gone and time had slowly began destroying it.
"What did they use this room for?" Morrigan whispered, but it echoed through the room.
Solas bit his tongue to stop himself from speaking.
"We're being watched." Ellana warned as the sentinels came into view. They were unchanged since he'd last seen them. Their armor was the same and it made his chest ache with how dwindled they were in numbers.
"You are different from the other intruders," the leader began, his eyes lingered on Solas for a moment before settling on Ellana. His eyes widened, he recognized her features. It was something Solas had realized when he had the time to really observe her. She looked startlingly like Mythal, then again so did her mother, the delicate line of her nose to her aristocratic cheekbones, even her hair was of a similar color. There was no mistaking her for anyone else's descendent. It made it easier to mask her relation to him, at any rate. Imagine the Inquisition scandal.
Their leader seemed to rethink his next statement. "Two of you are of the People and have magic that is familiar. What connection do you have to the other intruders of this temple?"
Ellana thought over his words for a moment, more than likely thinking of an appropriate answer that would keep the group in the dark about their identities, why still conveying the gravity of the situation that they were in. "They're part of a Tevinter cult that wants the Well of Sorrows. I'm here to stop them with any means necessary. Our history and magic must remain safe." Ellana replied in crisp Elven, making Solas grin and Morrigan scowl. No doubt the witch didn't understand every word Ellana had said, proving Morrigan's assumptions wrong about their dear Inquisitor.
The lead sentinel nodded, pleased with the response. Solas was a little surprised with the conviction she gave. She obviously didn't want Morrigan getting her hands on the Well. "Very well, my name is Abelas. We are sentinels charged with protecting this temple and its contents-"
"He speaks of The Well!" Morrigan whispered excitedly and Ellana gave her a tired glance. They weren't fools, they knew what he was talking about.
"The Well," Abelas continued glaring at Morrigan, "is not for you. It's not for anyone."
Ellana nodded. "Agreed, The Well is not something that should be tampered with, by any of us. We're just here to stop those that are destroying the temple," Ellana replied, eyeing Morrigan warily. Ellana knew the dangers The Well had. Solas wondered why she wasn't saying anything more on the matter.
Maybe it was the same reason he kept the information to himself? To make sure that the world never found out that there were ancient elves among them.
"Very well, I will have one of my sentinels guide you through. But the Well will not by despoiled, even if I need to destroy it myself," Abelas warned before leaving the room in a rather over dramatic fashion for Solas' taste.
"NO!" Morrigan shouted, transforming herself into a crow and flying off after Abelas.
"Foolish shem," Ellana hissed before motioning for the group to follow a sentinel beckoning them towards a newly opened door. The sentinel was constantly muttering in Elven. Some of the words were insults, but most of the perturbed half thoughts about escorting the Dread Wolf and a descendent of Mythal.
Ellana rolled her eyes at the woman and would occasionally cast Solas a tired, but amused look. Solas wasn't entirely sure what to make of the situation. They had easily deduced who Ellana was, not only to Mythal, but to him as well. Was it that his mark was making them assume they were related or did Ellana truly look like him? It was hard to tell and more than a little perturbing. No one else had put it together. Even Varric had no idea that Ellana was related to him and the dwarf knew everything.
It didn't take long for them to be led to Samson, who claimed he was going to be Corypheus' vessel.
Ellana looked completely flabbergasted. Solas couldn't quite believe how stupid these humans were. They knew nothing of what they were dealing with. "You know what's in that Well?"
Ellana gave him a blank look, before he replied, "Wisdom."
She snorted, drawing her blades. "That's what you think is in the Well? You master has left out a few details."
"You know nothing of what you speak! Prepare to die, Rabbit!"
"No, I think you should," she said holding out a rune stone that Ellana had mentioned she, Dagna and Cullen had been working on for weeks. It was supposed to render Samson's armor useless and when the red lyrium crystal went out and broke, it seemed that it had worked, somewhat. The Red Templar's still attacked, and Samson still managed to transform himself into more of a monster than he already was, but the battle was less intense.
Without the bulk of his armor Samson wasn't nearly as powerful. Solas and Dorian took to casting mines around his feet while Ellana launched herself onto him, stabbing in as many places as she could find. It was rather horrifyingly entertaining to watch.
An unholy screech echoed through the area when Samson began reverting back, it seemed that his lyrium armor wasn't as strong as he anticipated.
"Bastard is still alive…" Dorian muttered poking the man with the bottom of his staff.
"Well, we'll have someone take him to Skyhold for judgment-" she was cut off by Abelas rushing past them with Morrigan flying right behind him. The witch was going to get to the Well. Abelas manipulated the fade to craft stairs for himself, a feat that Solas had yet to see in the waking world.
How had they beaten them here?
Though that didn't deter Morrigan. Dorian whistled appreciatively at the displays of magic. Ellana wasted no time and moved with years of practiced speed and grace up the fade stone. Solas rushed to follow, Dorian and Blackwall on his heels.
It seemed that Morrigan was going to be the one to reach the Well first, until the Eluvian activated from the other side.
Solas' heart nearly stopped. There weren't many people during his time that knew how to open that particular Eluvian. Now, there were only maybe one or two at most that had access. He worried who would come out the other side. Before he had time to react the surface of the mirror rippled and a net of electricity shot out, covering the Witch, her bird form pinned to the ground. Moments later a staff peeked through the mirror followed by Ven, who looked tired and harried, and a slightly older looking Elven woman that for a brief moment Solas didn't recognize, but then she turned to face him, and he knew who it was.
"Myna." Solas breathed, eyes not believing what he was seeing. She looked like she had maybe aged two years or so since he'd last seen her physically, and she'd been awake for nearly two and a half decades. Her blonde hair was done in one long braid, much like her daughter, her staff was of ancient design crafted by June himself. Her robes weren't the same, but of similar design. Her blue eyes were alight was with furry.
Why was she here? Solas had been under the impression that she was protecting her clan from raiders.
"Ven?" Both Dorian and Ellana say seeing the wild First of Clan Lavellan twirling his staff about. The group of four quickly make their way to the edge of the Well. Abelas and Myna were quietly talking to one another their hands moving rather widely as they motioned to Morrigan, then the group and finally to the Templars.
Morrigan attempted to change herself back, but was shocked by the net in the process.
"Stay down, witch," Myna snapped, watching the far door. Solas had missed her voice. He had missed his friend and closest confidant.
"We don't have much time. Just do what you need to do," Abelas finally said in common and loud enough for them all to understand.
"Just keep an eye on the witch and I'll remove the Well from the vicinity."
"No!" Morrigan shouted, changing back, but still trapped under the net. "If you destroy it we'll never be able to defeat Corypheus."
"This knowledge was never meant for you. If you wish to know a way to defeat this mad magister. Abelas and I will teach you, but the Well must never be allowed to fall into the hands of Shemlen," she responded, bringing her staff down to give the witch another good shock that had her writhing in pain.
"What consequences could this Well possibly have? Mythal, if she ever existed, is dead. There's nothing to fear," Morrigan forced out through gritted teeth.
"Child, Mythal lives and so do her children-"
"Yes, yes, her spirit lives on in the Elven people."
This time it was Abelas that answered. "No, witch, she means her words literally. Myna, get on with the ritual."
Myna nodded, walking over to the Well, giving herself a shallow cut and dropping her blood into the water. Solas raised an eyebrow at the use of blood magic, but then again, Myna was related to Mythal. If anyone could move her Well somewhere else, it would be her own kin.
The pool turned black for a moment before disappearing into nothing with only a whisper of broken Elven carried on the breeze.
"It's done. Abelas, take your warriors from the temple. My contact will meet with you once you leave the temple grounds. There are more People like us," Myna motioned to the four elves around him, "outside of the temple walls."
He nodded, "Thank you for saving the Well. Mythal would be proud of you, Myna."
Her lip curled in disgust. "Don't remind me."
The Sentinel gave a small smile. "Your enemy approaches. I suggest you take your leave," he warned before vanishing.
None of them needed to be told twice as they rushed towards the Eluvian, Ven towing both Morrigan and Sampson in fade crafted nets behind him. They closed the connection to the mirror just before Corypheus burst into the room.
Solas wished he could see the look of rage on the twisted Magister's face when he realized that he had not only lost the Well and the Eluvian, but his lead general as well.
This was a great victory for the Inquisition, though Morrigan looked like the world had ended.
"We just lost our only way to beat Corypheus because you elves were too afraid to use something you thought your goddess had touched!" She snapped, struggling in the net once more.
"You were going to enslave yourself to Mythal's will. It is not a price one pays lightly. When I said that Mythal is still alive, I mean that she is. Her spirit is still present, and she would have called for you. I saved your life, child."
"How would you even know that?"
"I did research, you blasted fool. I have actual Elven connections that I was able to call upon to see what was in that Temple. I just saved all of your lives." Myna growled leading them through the crossroads with practiced ease. She was lucky that the human members of the inner circle were too distracted dealing with their prisoners and the looking at the fractured beauty of the area around them, that they never noticed their guide knew her way around a little bit too well.
"Will you be staying at Skyhold or keep moving?" Ellana eventually asked when they reached their intended Eluvian.
Myna sighed. "I will be staying for a night or two. I have some business that needs settling," she replied, looking pointedly at Solas, who had a foreboding feeling that he wasn't going to like the conversation they were going to have.
Ellana rolled her eyes. "Alright. Just don't break anything."
I never liked how in the game, when you're playing as Lavellan, they doesn't just put Morrigan in her place as she is explaining Elven lore to you. It's just..."do you not see the markings on my face, girl, I'm Dalish, I know all this shit." So, I had my Inquisitor not put up with her, at all. Ellana is also a bit more, informed of an Inquisitor than cannon Lavellan, but regardless the Arbor Wilds frustrated me.
So, enough about that, fun chapter right? I felt Ellana's true sass really shined here.
Thank you all so much for the reviews this week! They made me smile. I'm glad that you all enjoyed my plot twist.
See you next week,
Animerocker