Merrill as a leader to the city elves, organizing them in the alienage, helping clean up and learning how to patch a roof and make room for fifteen people to sleep on her floor. She gathers all the orphans to her, because they are just part of the clan, her new clan, this one she’s made.
Merrill writing to Fenris, giving him names, faces, escape routes, they were in the Alienage last night, now they’re gone, but so is my neighbor. She waits outside the city for the ones who went missing, receiving the lost as they’re returned with tearful, happy tales of a lyrium-lined savior.
Merrill in Aveline’s office, refusing to move, refusing to budge, until the guard captain promises to enact harsher punishments to guards who abuse elves, who take advantage of those weaker than them, those who can’t fight back. She never apologizes for the cuts and bruises left on those guards by her vengeful vines.
Merrill crafting letters to Isabela, rambling, winding things that say everything and nothing. She never expects anything back, but finds new things every month, a string of pearls, a box of chocolates, an odd little idol whose ruby eyes go missing to fund a festival, and a pair of long leather boots that fit snug and go on for miles.
Merrill visiting Anders’s old clinic, sweeping, dusting, reading through his books and finding little bits of parchment everywhere, cleaning the graffiti, righting the tables. She finds new healers to run it and lights the lanterns again.
Merrill sending Varric updates, telling him about the Hanged Man, about the relief efforts, the rebuilding. She puts a little bit of twine in each report, so he can knot them together and find his way back home when all is said and done.
Merrill, a Keeper in her own fashion, her new fashion, her mirror tucked away but not forgotten. Merrill who finds a place and a people who need her, who grows and loves and guides, who passes Dalish stories and history to wide-eyed children and cautious adults. Merrill, who brings kindness to a harsh life in the alienage, and provides the strength to protect its recovery.
Merrill in the Aftermath
Published
DustAndFundamentalists 