Once his advisers returned back from Skyhold, Maxwell, his guard and Morrigan entered into the war room. They began to explain the current events of what happened at the temple and after they left it.

"I'm pleased to inform you that we won the battle, Inquisitor. When you went through that mirror, Corypheus and his Archdemon fled the field. I'm not sure why." Cullen was resting his hands on his sword hilt.

Morrigan nodded. "What he wanted was no longer within the temple."

Cullen's answering nod was somewhat reluctant. "Perhaps. He spent so long trying to get into the temple, he probably couldn't have helped his forces by that point."

Josephine stabbed the air with her pen. "Then Corypheus is finished."

"If he is wise, he will hide and rebuild his strength before he attacks again," said Leliana as she examined the map on the table.

"He will not hide," said Morrigan.

Adaar turned to look at Morrigan. "Meaning he will attack us directly, at Skyhold."

"Not necessarily, but neither will he remain idle."

Leliana folded her arms. "And how could you have such insight into his plans?"

"The Well of Sorrows held many voices, and they speak to me now from across the ages. They hold wisdom, secrets I never dreamed possible. But even they fear what Corypheus has become."

"Should we fear him more than his army?" Maxwell asked.

"Possibly. Luckily for you, he has a weakness." Morrigan gestured. "The dragon he calls is not truly an Archdemon. It is a dragon, in which Corypheus has invested part of his being."

"Just as I assumed," said Theron.

Morrigan nodded. "He doubtless did so out of pride, to emulate the gods of old. That pride can be exploited. Kill the dragon, and his ability to leap into other bodies is disrupted. He can be slain."

"You're sure?" said Erdic sceptically. "If there are no bodies for him to jump to…"

"You assume there is a limit to the range of his power. There is not."

"Wonderful," Erdic grumbled.

"Then what do you propose? Killing the dragon is no simple task, if it could even be found." Cullen folded his arms as he looked towards Morrigan.

"There is a way to defeat the dragon, to match Corypheus in his power. The Well whispers it to me now. Your help will be required, Inquisitor as would Lady Ellana. There are a few things I must do first. I will let you know when I am ready, and we shall begin."

"I'll see to Skyhold's defences in the meantime," Cullen assured.


"I can't believe that you were able to find elves that existed during the time of Arlathan," said Theron to Ellana. "I wish I could have been there."

"It would have been dangerous for you," said Ellana. "Besides, who knew how the elves would react to your presence. They certainly didn't like me much."

"Yes," Theron frowned. "Funny that."

Ellana frowned. "Is there something the matter?"

"No, I'm just pondering," said Theron.

"I don't suppose you have any ideas how Corypheus seems at the same ability as an Archdemon and yet able to survive?"

"I do have one theory," said Theron. "You see darkspawn don't have souls that's how they become the next Archdemon for they carry the soul of an Old God. However a Grey Warden has a soul and when the soul of an Old God enter into our bodies it destroys itself, I'm the only Grey Warden to survive such a process and I don't even know how."

"You think that since Corypheus is a darkspawn and as such has no soul, he can pass into the body of a Grey Warden without fear of destroying himself," Ellana nodded.

"That's what I think at the very least, but a promising theory," said Theron.

"I suppose it's all we have to work with the now," said Ellana. "Let's hope the voices in Morrigan's head have an answer for us."


"The Temple of Mythal was extraordinary. In all my journeys, I never dreamed of finding anything like it." Maxwell smiled at Solas as they began their usual walk around Skyhold. He returned his smile as he continued speaking. "What will you do with the power of the Well once Corypheus is dead?"

There was still so much to be done. So many refugees. And so much more beyond that. "I'll use whatever power I have to undo the chaos that Corypheus and his allies have caused."

"You would put things back the way they were before?" He seemed surprised at him answer.

"Yes. I mean, not exactly…" Some things needed to be changed.

"I know what you mean. Thank you."

He blinked. "For what?"

"You have not been what I expected, Inquisitor. You have…" He turned to look up at Skyhold. "Impressed me. You honour the past and work to recover what was lost, even if the cost is high. I respect that, and I am indebted to you for the reminder. Forgive my melancholy. Corypheus has cost us much. The Temple of Mythal did not deserve such a fate. The orb he carries, and its stolen power…" He turned back to him. "That, at least, we may still recover. With luck, some of the past may yet survive."

Maxwell nodded. "Thank you, Solas. We couldn't have done this without you."

"You are welcome."


Sera was trying to stifle a laugh. And failing. "I'm sorry. Oh, wait, no, I'm not." She spread her hands. "It's just the funniest, innit? That creaky old Abelas in Mythal saying the elves weren't destroyed by Tevinter?"

"That some 'long dead' you're gloating over," Erdic noted.

"Pfft, about time I got mine back. Elfy elves have shoved 'victim' in my face a million times." She bounced on her cushion. "Like being sad makes them better than me. Turns out, they're not victims. They're the same as everyone else: arseholes." She gestured. "Plus, a big, old temple full of demon-worshiping lies. Grand, that."

"So your main takeaway is that elves worship demons?" said Erdic crossing his arms.

"Well, they never call them that, yeah? But that's what it had to be. I mean, it was impressive and all. Makes the Dalish look like tits for living in the woods. But so what? There can't be a bunch of gods and the Maker. Don't matter how much or little you believe, those don't fit. So call me stupid, but I believe the stuff not made up by dead people who failed. Mythal is a ruin full of demons." Sera looked up at him uncertainly. "I mean, it just makes sense, right?"

Erdic nodded. The arguments between Solas and Morrigan. So many things that didn't fit. "I'm with you. Everything in that temple was highly suspect." Including Morrigan herself.

"Or course it was. You couldn't be a member of the Herald's Honour Guard and think otherwise, yeah? I mean, that would just be daft. So, main takeaway: we got really weird power, and we can throw it at Coryphy-whatever. Fighting shite with shite. It's like poetry or something. I don't know. Get a bard on that. We should go slap hands in the tavern."


He touched up the paint around the eyes, then gave it a critical look. His father would probably be pleased.

"So it's done?"

Blackwall turned to see the Inquisitor in the doorway. "Just about." He set the brush down. "The little ones in the camps don't have much. I thought this might cheer them up. Even in the midst of war, they deserve to be children."

"It's almost time. Are you ready?" he said.

"I am. I've been ready for a long time." He turned to face him. "Things become clear on the battlefield. It's where I truly know myself. Everything else fades."

"You're content." He nodded. "I'm glad."

"I am. There has always been one constant. I am a soldier. I am trained to kill, to follow orders, and to ask no questions. But this time, I'm fighting for something I believe in, for people I care about. I chose to stay with the Inquistion. I chose this fight, and the difference is profound." He bowed. "I have only you to thank."

He patted his shoulder before leaving.


Mother Giselle was talking to Cassandra in the armoury. "Will you not consider it, Lady Cassandra?" Giselle appeared to be entreating the other woman. "The clerics are still sequestered. If no one steps forward, they will debate until—"

"And you think I could make them agree?" Cassandra interrupted. She shook her head. "I've heard enough for one day, Mother Giselle."

"Talk to her, Your Worship." Mother Giselle nodded to Maxwell as she passed.

Maxwell gave her a confused look before going to see Cassandra. "The fun never ends in Skyhold, does it?"

Cassandra shook her head. "'The Inquisitor was hilarious'. That's what they'll say one day, you watch." Cassandra leaned against a table. "I assume you've heard that Leliana and I are both candidates to be the next Divine." He'd heard. He was really hoping no one would ask him to choose between them. "Because of what happened at Halamshiral, of course. The empire favours you, thus everyone close to you. So now the Chantry bandies our names about without even asking us first."

"How can you and Leliana be candidates? You're not even priests."

"It is not without precedent. Amara the Third was sister to the emperor, and Galatea a commoner. Leliana and I were, at least, part of the Chantry hierarchy. It would be accepted."

"If you don't want it, then tell them no."

He was surprised to see Cassandra hesitate. The woman gestured, and Ruya followed. "Surely it was never meant to be like this. The Chantry, the Circle of Magi, the templars…" They stepped out into the daylight. "This cannot be what they intended when it all began. The Chantry should provide faith. Hope. Instead, it cannot veer from its course, even in the face of certain death."

Maxwell nodded. "Many extraordinary things have happened to get us to this point."

"I'm not so certain. I think this has been a long time coming. Did you know Varric is Andrastian?" Cassandra's smile was fond. "Oh, he blasphemes with every second breath, but deep down, he believes. His heart is virtuous. But he would never step foot in a Chantry. It should be the first place to which the virtuous turn. It needs to change. Perhaps I must be the one to change it."

"What would you change about the Chantry?"

Cassandra then looked up to the battlements where Evelyn was walking past. "The Circle of Magi has its place, but it needs reform. Let the mages govern themselves, with our help. Let the templars stand not as jailors of mages, but as protectors of the innocent. We must be vigilant, but we must also be compassionate to all peoples of Thedas, human or no. That is what I would change."

Maxwell nodded respectfully. "So this is your new crusade?"

"I've agreed to nothing yet."

"And if the Chantry calls on you?"

"Then I will do whatever I can, for as long as I can." Cassandra shook her head. "I suppose I should not be so concerned. The clerics speak my name for now, nothing more." She gestured. "For now, restoring order and stopping Corypheus remain our priority."


"So it's true. Some look to Cassandra or even me as Justinia's successor. I never thought the idea would gain momentum." Leliana was standing in front of the rookery shrine. "Or course, with the other candidates out of the picture…"

"Is becoming Divine something you really want?" Maxwell leaned on the wall next to her.

"When Justinia was alive, I would've laughed at anyone who even suggested that I could be her successor. Things have changed. Still, I don't know." She turned towards Maxwell. "Restoring the Chantry will be like trying to steer a sinking vessel through a storm."

"Whoever becomes Divine will have my support as well as the guard if she requires it."

Leliana smiled. "And I'm sure whoever becomes Divine will absolutely require the Inquisition's backing. The Chantry is faltering, but it still has influence over the people. Who tells the people what's right? Who do they look to in times of peril? A Divine with enough support can change the Chantry, and with it, Thedas. But this is a discussion for later. If Corypheus wins, finding a new Divine will be the least of our problems."


Maxwell was on his throne as he began to judge another criminal. Cullen stood, instead of Josephine. He nodded to him. "Forgive me, Inquisitor. For personal interest, I have relieved Josephine. As you might expect." He turned to the man as the soldiers brought him in. "Knight-Templar Samson, general to Corypheus, traitor to the Order. The blood on his hands cannot be measured. His head is too valuable to take. Kirkwall, Orlais: many would see him suffer. I can't say I'm not one of them."

"Judging him will affect as many as his crimes. I won't take it lightly."

Samson lifted his head to look at him. "The red lyrium will steal your vengeance. You know what it does. Corypheus only delayed my corruption."

Cullen's voice held barely checked anger. "Are you still loyal to that thing? He poisoned the Order, used them to kill thousands!"

"Templars have always been used. How many were left to rot, like I was, after the Chantry burned away their minds? Piss on it! I followed him so templars could at least die at their best!" Samson shrugged. "Same lie as the Chantry. The prophet just isn't as pretty."

Maxwell narrowed his eyes. "I found your people. They believed in you. Believed your cause was righteous."

"Not your business, Inquisitor."

"Your friend Maddox was so loyal, he killed himself. For you." Cullen's hand clenched as though he wanted to wrap it around the hilt of his sword.

"They were always going to die. I saw what Corypheus was doing, so yes, I fed them hope instead of despair. I made them believe their pain had purpose. Just like the Chantry does. Right, Commander?" Samson pulled his eyes away from Cullen. "It ended as well as anything else I've done. Corypheus would kill me on sight. I'll tell your people what they want. Everything I cared about is destroyed."

Maxwell wished they didn't need his information. That he could just stick him in some dark hole and… and be no better than he was. "Very well, Samson, you will spend your remaining years serving the Inquisition. Cullen will be your handler. Perhaps he can get something useful out of you."

"I doubt the commander believes there's anything worthy left in me."

"You're not wrong. But you served something greater than yourself once. Perhaps you can be made to remember that."


Maxwell found Cullen in his office, flinging daggers at the practice dummy. He sighed when he saw him. "Samson took everything from those templars. He corrupted their souls, twisted them into everything they stood against. Everything they would have hated." The dagger sank into the dummy almost to the hilt.

"I know the red templars fight for Corypheus, but I feel sorry for them," he said placing his hand on his hips.

"They're barely human now. The red lyrium left Samson's mind unaltered. He knew what he was doing. He dares speak as though it were a mercy? The man's a monster." Cullen retrieved the knives, and tossed them onto his desk. "I pray his information is useful. His life is good for little else."

"Samson got what he deserved."

"The men and women he betrayed—" Cullen threw another knife. "They deserved something better. Samson deserves nothing." He threw the last blade. "The red templars needed to be torn down. We've broken Corypheus's army." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I might have known some of them. If my life had gone differently—" He shook his head. "I might have been one of them." He turned towards him. "Do you ever wonder what would have happened if you and the guard had not been at the Conclave? If you'd never become the Inquisitor and they not your guard?"

"I can't say for the others, but I'd still be here," he said. "Well, maybe not here. But I'd be down the back of the other volunteers. I couldn't just sit idle."

Cullen nodded. "No, I don't imagine you could."


Maxwell and Ellana went to the garden to talk to Morrigan, but she was nowhere to be seen. They are then entered into the chamber where the eluvian was kept, but only found Leliana, who looked panic stricken.

"Inquisitor! Ellana!" she said turning to face them looking utterly terrified. "Thank the Maker you're here! Morrigan chased after her son through the eluvian. She was terrified."

Maxwell frowned. "She was chasing Kieran?"

"She said he activated the mirror somehow, and then she ran into it. I've never seen Morrigan like that. You must go after her! I'll find help, Inquisitor."

Leliana then ran out of the room and Maxwell and Ellana looked at one another.

"What you think is going on?" Maxwell asked.

"At this point nothing would surprise me," said Ellana.

They then entered into the mirror.


When they emerge out from it they found that they were not in the Crossroads but in the Fade.

"Wait… this isn't the Crossroads. This is the Fade," said Maxwell.

Ellana just looked around at raised. "How did the eluvian lead here? Can it go anywhere?"


They kept on searching through the Fade for any trace of either Morrigan or Kieran. They wondered for about ten minutes and then they found Morrigan in the distance.

"Morrigan!" Maxwell called.

"Go back!" said Morrigan, when she saw them approach. "I must find Kieran before it's too late!"

They ignored her and me the way over to her and saw that she was completely frantic.

"Why would Kieran do this?" said Morrigan panic stricken. "How could he do this?" She looked at them shaking her head. "We stand in the Fade. To direct the eluvian here would require immense power." She looked at her hands. "If he is lost to me, now after all I have sacrificed…"

"We'll find him, Morrigan," Maxwell assured. "He can't be far."

"The Fade is infinite," said Morrigan now with tears in her eyes. "He could literally be anywhere." She then rushed past them and they made their way through the canyon. "Whatever happens to him now, 'tis my doing. I set him on this path." She then turned and looked at the two of them desperately. "Please, help me look. Just a little longer."

"Will search until the end of time itself if necessary," said Ellana.


They carried on down through the canyon and eventually they came to a bunch of stone steps and as they client them they found Kieran ahead of them with an old woman.

"Then he is!" said Morrigan looking relieved.

"Who's with him?" Ellana asked.

Morrigan looked at the old woman and her eyes widened. "That's… No. It can't be."

As they approached the two of them Maxwell notice that Kieran was performing some sort of spell as the woman in front of him knelt on her knees. Upon seeing them he snapped his fingers and the magic disappeared.

"Mother!" Kieran cried.

Morrigan looked at the old woman with her face both full of fear and hatred. "Mother."

The old woman got her feet and smiled. "Now, isn't this a surprise?"

Maxwell looked at Ellana and was pleased to see that felt out of place as well. He then turned and faced the family.

"So this is all some kind of… family reunion?" he asked.

The woman chuckled. "Mother, daughter, grandson. It rather warms the heart, does it not?"

"Kieran is not your grandson," Morrigan spat. "Let him go!"

"As if I were holding the boy hostage," she said shaking ahead. "She's always been ungrateful, you see."

"Ungrateful?" Morrigan spat. "I know how you plan to extend your life, wicked crone! You will not have me, and you will not have my son!" Morrigan started to cast.

"That's quite enough. You endanger the boy." The woman gestured, and the spell forming in Morrigan's hands simply vanished.

"What have you done to me?"

Amusement tinged the woman's words. "I have done nothing. You drank from the Well of your own volition."

"Then…" Morrigan seemed to shrink. "You are Mythal?"

Maxwell's eyes widened in the turned to Ellana, who looked completely petrified. She then brushed away have fear and went down on one knee. "Thank you for coming. I had no idea what to expect."

"You see, girl?" The woman sounded pleased as she turned her attention back to Morrigan. "Those are manners, as you require a demonstration."

"I require nothing from you but your death!" Morrigan glared.

"You try that once already, and see how far it got you?" The woman reminded.

She then touched Kieran at once the boy ran up to his mother and the two of them hugged one another.

"I'm sorry, Mother," said Kieran looking at her mother's eyes. "I heard her calling to me. She said now was the time."

Kieran then walked back to his grandmother.

"I do not understand," said Morrigan shaking ahead

"Once I was but a woman, crying out in the lonely darkness for justice," said her mother. "And she came to me, a wisp of an ancient being, and she granted me all I wanted and more. I have carried Mythal through the ages ever since, seeking the justice denied to her."

"Then…" Ellana said breathlessly. "You carry Mythal inside you?"

"She is a part of me, no more separate than your heart from your chest." Her yellow eyes met Morrigan's. "You hear the voices of the Well, girl. What do they say?"

Morrigan closed her eyes. A hundred heartbeats passed before she opened them again. "They…" Her voice was quiet. "Say you speak the truth."

"But what was Mythal? A legend given name and called a god, or something more?" The woman waved a hand. "Truth is not the end, but a beginning." She walked up the stairs to them. "A herald, indeed. Shouting to the heavens, harbinger of a new age." She then turned to Ellana. "So young and vibrant. You do the People proud and have come far. "As for me, I have had many names. But you…" She nodded to Ruya. "May call me Flemeth."

Maxwell's eyes widened. "I know the name 'Flemeth'. It belongs to an ancient Ferelden legend. It says, long ago, you left your husband for a lover. Your husband then tricked you, killed your lover, and imprisoned you. Then a spirit came to offer you vengeance. Mythal—that's what you spoke of."

"One day, someone will summarise the terrible events of your life so quickly," said Flemeth. "But yes I was that woman. That is how my tale began."

Maxwell then remembered the tales of both the Wardens and Hawke and how she came to their aid. "Flemeth appears another legends, helping heroes for reasons of her own."

Flemeth shrugged. "I nudge history, when it's required. Other times, a shove is needed."

"If Mythal is a part of you, why haven't you helped us?" Ellana frowned shaking ahead. "We've called to you, prayed to you…"

"What was could not be changed," said Flemeth.

"What about now? You know so much…" Ellana employed.

"You know not what you ask, child."

Maxwell had a feeling that this was no accident. "I presume you know what we're up against."

"Better than you can possibly imagine."

"So will you help us?"

"Once I have what I came for," said Flemeth and looked to Kieran.

Morrigan's eyes widened. "No. I will not allow it."

"He carries a piece of what once was, snatched from the jaws of darkness. You know this."

"He is not your pawn, mother. I will not let you use him!"

"Have you not used him? Was there not your purpose, the reason you agree to his creation?" Flemeth reminded.

Morrigan looked taken aback. "That was then. Now he… he is my son."

There was silence between everyone as Morrigan's words echoed across the canyon.

"Flemeth extends her life by possessing the bodies of her daughters," said Morrigan not able to look at Maxwell and Ellana. "That was the fate intended for me. I thwarted her, and now she intends to have Kieran instead!"

Maxwell frowned. "Wait, the way she talked about Kieran…"

Flemeth smirked. "I am not the only one carrying the solver being long thought lost."

"He's more than that, Mother."

"As I, yet do you hear me complain? Our destinies are not so easily avoided, dear girl."

"Mother, I have to," said Kieran.

"You do not belong to her Kieran. Neither of us do!" Morrigan cried.

"Whatever you think he is, Kieran is still a child!" said Maxwell firmly.

Flemeth brushed her hand against the top of Kieran's head. "And so much better behaved than his mother was at his age."

Morrigan fell to her knees. "Kieran, I…"

Kieran looked at his grandmother with a sad face and Flemeth looked back at Morrigan.

"As you wish," she said. "Here my proposal, dear girl. Let me take the lad, and you are free of me forever. I will never interfere with or harm you again. Or, keep the lad with you… and you will never be safe from me. I will have my due."

"I will take my chances," said Morrigan.

"I found you once, girl. What makes you think I will not find you again?"

"Take over my body now, if you must. Just let Kieran go. He will be better off without me, just as I was better off without you."

Flemeth looked at her for a moment and then turned to Kieran. She then grasped his hands and at once a blue light exited from his body and then entered into Flemeth.

"No more dreams?" Kieran asked looking at his grandmother.

She simply smiled. "No more dreams."

Kieran smiled and then made his way back to his mother.

"A soul is not forced upon the unwilling, Morrigan. You were never in danger from me. Listen to the voices. They will teach you… as I never did."

She then walked away and disappeared into the mist.

"Wait!" Morrigan cried.


Minutes later they exited the eluvian.

"Are you all right, Kieran?" Morrigan asked her son with great concern. "You are not hurt?"

"I feel lonely," he said.

Morrigan smiled, secretly telling him that it was all right and he smiled back. Ellana offered to take him while Maxwell had a few words with Morrigan.

"She wanted the Old God soul all along," she said as Kieran disappeared through the door. She then looked at Maxwell. "Is it worth reminding myself that perhaps I do not know everything after all? My mother has the soul of an elven goddess—or whatever 'Mythal' truly was—and her plans are known to me."

"You truly had no idea what she was?" said Maxwell.

"I knew she kept the truth from me. I even suspected she was not truly human… but this? I always for the so-called 'elven gods' were little more than glorified rulers, but now I have doubt. And doubt is… an uncomfortable thing, Inquisitor. Just be thankful you did not drink from the Well. I am evidently tied to my mother for eternity."

Maxwell looked to the door where Kieran had disappeared. "So Kieran had… the soul of an Old God?"

"Taken from the Archdemon and the final battle of the Fifth Blight, yes," Morrigan nodded. "He has never known anything else. I am uncertain what effect this will have on him."

"But why did you…?"

"I told you at the temple. The magic of old must be preserved, no matter how feared." She sighed. "Kieran had a destiny, and now it's in Flemeth's hands. I suppose we shall see what she does with it."

He then placed a hand on her shoulder. "For what it's worth, I think you did the right thing."

"Did I? She was testing me, and I cannot tell whether I passed."

She then walked up to the eluvian and used her magic to seal it.

"Now we must prepare to face Corypheus himself." She then looked back at Maxwell. "It seems Mother was right. The voices of the Well tell me I will be able to match his dragon. All that remains is for you to find him."


Evelyn stared across the valley. She can help but smile at the view and then made her way to Skyhold's Chantry, and found Cullen there, kneeling before the statue of Andraste. "Though all before me is shadow, yet shall the Maker be my guide. I shall not be left to wander the drifting roads of the Beyond."

She joined her voice to his for the last of the prayer. "A prayer for you?"

"For those we have lost. And those I am afraid to lose." He glanced up as she knelt next to him.

"You're afraid?"

"Of course I am. Corypheus possessed that Grey Warden at Mythal. What more is he capable of? It's only a matter of time before he retaliates. We must draw strength wherever we can." He stood, pulling her to her feet as he did. "When the time comes, your brother will be thrown into his path again. Andraste preserve me."

Her hand ran down his armour. "There's nothing to worry about. My brother has luck on his side, remember?"

He laughed. "That's less comforting than I'd hoped." He caught her and pulled her to him, holding her close. His voice whispered in her ear as he bent his head to her shoulder. "Whatever happens, you will come back."

"Cullen, you don't have to—"

"Allow me this." He held her tightly. "To believe anything else would…" She could barely make out his words. "I can't."


Ellana found Solas looking at his notes grimly as if he was desperate for answers.

"You're being grim and fatalistic in the hopes of getting me into bed, aren't you?" she said crossing her arms.

Solas looked up and smiled. "I am grim and fatalistic. Getting you into bed is just an enjoyable side benefit. Come with me, vhenan."


Solas led her to a secret grove not far away from Skyhold, she looked up and saw statues of halla standing on opposite sides of the lake. This was probably once an elven place of sanctum.

"The Veil is thin here," he said looking at her. "Can you feel it on your skin, tingling?"

They start by the edge of the lake and Ellana looked into his grey eyes. He then placed a hand on her cheek and looked deep into her deep hazel eyes.

"I was trying to determine some way to show you what you mean to me," he explained awkwardly as he removed his hand.

Ellana placed a hand where he removed his. "I'm listening, and I can offer a few suggestions," she said teasingly.

Solas smiled. "I shall bear that in mind. For now, the best if I can offer you is… the truth. You are unique. In all Thedas, I never expected to find someone who could draw my attention from the Fade. You have become important to me, more important than I could have imagined."

"As you are to me."

"Then what I must tell you…the truth…" He took a deep breath and continued. "Your face. The vallaslin. In my journeys in the Fade, I have seen things. I have discovered what those marks mean."

Ellana frowned, every elf knew what they meant. "They honour the elven gods."

Solas shook his head. "No. They are slave markings, or at least, they were in the time of ancient Arlathan."

Ellana shook her head in disbelief. "My clan's Keeper said they honoured at the gods. These are their symbols."

Solas could clearly see that this was hurting her and he said gently. "Yes. That's right. A noble would mark his slave to honour the god he worshipped. After Arlathan fell, the Dalish forgot."

Ellana felt tears pouring down her cheek as she began to process this. "So this is…what? Just one more thing the Dalish got wrong?"

Solas looked at her apologetically. "I'm sorry."

Ellana breathed deeply as she took little when. She couldn't believe her ears and when she looked down into a reflection in the water all she could see was a slave to some rich noble.

"We tried to preserve our culture, and this is what we keep? Relics of a time when we were no better than Tervinter?"

Solas placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't say that. For all they got wrong, the Dalish did one thing right. They need you. I didn't tell you this to hurt you. If you like, I know a spell… I can remove the vallaslin."

Ellana considered for moment and looked up at Solas. "If what you're saying is true…

"It is," Solas assured.

"Then… my people vowed never to submit to slavery," she said firmly.

Solas looked at her in the eyes with great sympathy. "I'm so sorry for causing you pain. It was selfish of me. I look at you, and I see what you truly are… And you deserve better than what those cruel marks represent."

"Then cast your spell. Take the vallaslin away."

Solas nodded and gestured to the ground. "Sit."

They then bent down onto the ground and Solas' hands began to glow. He then placed them in front of her and it felt as if something was washing away off the face. Once the glowing stopped she looked down at her reflection within the lake and found that her tattoos were gone.

"Ar lasa mala revas," said Solas. "You are free."

He then got back onto their feet and looked into each other's eyes. Solas just looked at her transfixed at marked free face.

"You are so beautiful," he said.

They then pulled slowly to one another and kissed underneath the moonlight and she felt herself melting away. However, he then pulled away from her suddenly and she noticed that his face saddened.

"And I am sorry," he said apologetically. "I distracted you from your duty. It will never happen again."

She stared at him heartbroken after everything they've been through and after what he just did, he wanted to break up with her. Her heart was torn into and she looked at Solas with a pleading look. "Solas…"

He then backed away from her slowly. "Please, vhenan."

"Solas… don't leave me. Not now. I love you," Ellana begged.

Solas to shook his head. "You have a rare and marvellous spirit. In another world—"

Ellana try to approach, but he kept on backing away. "Why not this one?"

"I can't. I'm sorry."

He then walked away and Ellana just stared at him heartbroken. She then fell to unease and began to cry wondering if she did anything wrong or if there was another reason.