Off the Shelf

And just imagining the travel time to get to Crestwood, I can only imagine that Solas is at this point probably walls down with his affection more than he's ever been. You even kind of see this in their body language as they walk into the cave together. They're holding hands, walking in together with a kind of casual closeness, almost knocking shoulders together as they're looking more at each other than where they're walking, hand in hand.

Like imagine how this probably played out, Solas, who's been super guarded in spite of being obviously in love all along, after the temple of Mythal just invites her to travel with him - promises he has something to tell her - and for this likely couple of weeks on the road is suddenly warm and open with his touches, and the way he's looking at you. Because at this point he's decided not to hide anymore! He didn't take her to Crestwood to break up, that was an in the moment choice! So Lavellan, who's been used to a very private, cautious romance, is being spoiled for affection all of the sudden. She doesn't say I love you UNTIL the breakup in Crestwood, remember. Crestwood is the lock in moment on this romance.

And then you get to the cave, and the Crestwood scene happens. And after being spoiled for affection for the last few weeks after months of caution, its all ripped away. And then you have to travel back the other way in frigid confusion and grief, possibly with a changed face so your other travel companions are also being weird to you.

Like, the likely context surrounding this that all happens offscreen makes Crestwood all the more cruel to Lavellan. And he refuses to tell her he doesn't love her.

The plot:

Lavellan: "If I things go my way, Mrs. Dread Wolf."