"…You could tell her. She might understand. And the pain would come untangled. It's all twisted, old. Like a gnarled root. Bright, bleeding, burning. Lost."

"No. That is not a burden I want her to bear. She endures enough."

"It's more than that. A wolf regards the halla with sad eyes. The halla bends to brush noses. She wants to help. Why won't you let her?"

"She would try to save me. I cannot be saved. It is far too late."

"You say that, but your words sing wrong. A lie, told daily to justify itself. If I lose her, the world lacks light. Yet I bring darkness with each passing day."

"Cole. Please."

"It worries her. She sees the pain in your eyes when you're alone. You don't hide it as well as you think. She's smart. But you know that."

"…I cannot give her the truth. To tell her that I am… the great enemy of her people? It would destroy her."

"But she is strong. You know that too. She's brilliant, glowing against the world. Beautiful. But here to catch her if she falls. I was the one that pushed."

"Yes. She is. And I did. It matters little now, either way."

"You don't want to hurt people. I can tell. You're not that kind of wolf. He's quiet but strong, content to watch and listen. Gentle. But his eyes, always sad. Never explains. I don't ask. …Your pain hurts her, though. She's becoming tangled in the root."

"She has nothing to do with that. I am to blame."

"But the orb marked her. Made her brighter. Placed the Inquisition on her shoulders. "I'm an elf standing for Thedas. The Inquisition is for all." I felt her fear. Guilt over the losses at Haven. Screams in the dark. Smoke in the sky. Burning, crying. I can't save them all. He's here for me, for the mark. Creators…"

"Stop, Cole. No more."

"You have to let her help. Hurt flows both ways. She cannot heal others if the one she really wants to aid refuses it."

"She will be fine. She… has to be. I have chosen my path."

"Those words were more honest. But the song was still out of tune. Lying brings hurt, Solas. Do you want to hurt me? You're my friend."

"Of course I am, Cole. I meant no harm. I apologize. I…"

"You fear what the truth will change. The light fades to darkness, distrust. The halla no longer looks at the wolf with love. She shies, slips, stumbles. Shivers with terror."

"…She trusts a lie. Loves a man she truly knows nothing about. Apprehension is natural. And it is… all my fault."

"Words sing true, honest. Cries to the moon for guidance. Silence responds."

"Indeed. So it would seem."

"She doesn't think that, though. She won't. Ever. A loss, behind the calm in his eyes. Something hidden, painful. Won't easily see the light. …He will tell me, eventually. For now, his heartbeat is enough."

"…She is unlike any other, certainly. She is…"

"Real. Pure. Bright. Gentle. Beautiful. So beautiful. Able to bear the Mark and its burdens with a grace and wisdom unseen since… before. She fascinates you. She changes things."

"…Everything. But I made a decision. I cannot stray."

"Lie tastes bitter, sings sour. Maybe she'll prove me wrong. You want her to. Yet no reason would be enough. The hurt tangles with the love, snags, snaps. I'm sorry."

"You have done nothing to warrant apology."

"I'm only trying to help. But it's so ancient, twisted, now joined to hers and joined to this world's. Loosening creates room for more. Tugging creates knots. I don't understand."

"Perhaps it is not a pain you alone can heal."

"…Compassion alone is not enough. More. Soft hands and shining eyes. Scent of trees and lilacs. Ar lath ma, vhenan. A smile. A whisper. She wants to help. You could tell her."

"I… cannot."

"The wolf follows the halla, watching, protecting. Others cry out, trapped in a mirror beyond reach. She becomes prey. Sacrifice her to redeem himself, or sacrifice redemption to save her."

"She will live as long as possible. I will ensure that."

"World burns, Veil shredded. Her voice on the wind, pained. Lost amid the smoke. I can't find her. I've lost her. Losing her would…"

"An argument with you is not a battle I can win."

"It hurts you. That thought. Warping, wailing. Turning circles in the root. A future with unforeseen outcomes. Not part of the plan. All of this was not part of the plan."

"What little plan I had was abandoned long before her. One like her could not have been predicted."

"She sleeps, breathing steadily, the Mark pulsing on her hand. How is she alive? The orb should have killed her. You do not want her dead now. Now, more than the Mark gives you reason to stay, see if she succeeds. Ready to catch her if she falls."

"…Yes. But I will not remain long after."

"Leaving will hurt her. The halla wanders the woods, searching, waiting. Empty. Alone. The wolf deceived. The wolf lied. The wolf left."

"I have no choice."

"She will wait."

"No. She mustn't."

"But she will. You can't stop her. Fingers entwined, afraid he'll disappear again. Worried he wasn't going to come back. Fading, like a dream. Belief is strong. Love, stronger. She'll understand. She'll break if you stay silent. Shattered, jagged pain. Hard to loosen, set free. I may not be enough."

"She'll… forget, in time. I'll become a memory. Nothing more. The way it should be."

"More lies ache, crack. Now I lie for her, as well. She won't forget. Her indomitable spirit will remember, linger, pursue. You wish the lies were true. Part of you does, at least. More knots. More tangles. Stop."

"I cannot tell her. I cannot forget her. And I must leave her. For her own sake."

"…I tried, Solas. Compassion was not enough."

"I know, Cole. I do not believe anything ever will be."