Merrill/Bethany [1]

DA:2 Act 3 - Post-Clan

Third Person

Landscape

(Elvhen translations at end. Trust me; you'll need them. I suggest opening this chapter in multiple tabs/windows.)

"Isabela! What are you doing here? Where's Artemis or Merrill?" Bethany leapt from her desk at the sudden intrusion into her room at the Circle Tower. Members of her extended family did sneak in from time to time, but she wasn't expecting the pirate to come alone and without warning, no less. Had she her staff at hand, she may have accidentally killed her soon-to-be sister-in-law. Luckily, it was propped up by the window and out of direct reach.

"Sorry, just me this time." The rogue shrugged and sat at the end of the mage's bed. "Has Kitten talked to you about-?"

Bethany cut her off, turning her chair so that they could face one another. "Missy snuck in last week and told me about Marethari." She paused awkwardly at the memory. "But I haven't been able to reach Merrill with our mind-link. It's not broken or anything. She's just… ignoring me. But I can still sense her sadness." The younger Hawke ran her hand through her dark hair, sitting uncomfortably.

"It was… well, there aren't really words that suffice after what happened." Isabela sighed and leaned her back against the wall. "She's grieving. She lost her Keeper. Her clan wants her dead, so she can't even step foot near Sundermount. And she's… like the weather. Unstable."

The mage nodded in comprehension. "I've lost half of my relatives one way or another, so I've seen firsthand what heartache can do to a person."

"Yes, but she had all of her people's history etched out at her feet and it got Marethari killed. The sourpuss was the closest thing she had to family, beside you, of course." The Pirate Queen adjusted her clothing, choosing her words carefully. "It's as if she can't see the landscape anymore. You remember how she used to frolic through the forest like the little gay elf she is?" They both giggled at the double entendre as much as the vividness of the picture. "Now take that image and replace her with Fenris." Bethany squinted for a moment before shaking her head. "Exactly. It doesn't work. I'm surrounded by the two broodiest elves in all of Thedas." Isabela rubbed her forehead in frustration.

"She was taken from her parents at a very young age and given to the Sabrae. That's dark water to start with, you know?" The mage sucked nervously on the inside of her cheek.

"It's just… I tried to take her for a walk on the beach the other day, maybe clear her head a bit. She was like an undead trekking across acres of longing and mountains of tenderness. Depressing shit, Sunshine. Made me want to cry." Isabela sighed heavily and crossed her arms over her chest. Her best friend was miserable and no amount of tawdry jokes was going to break her out of it; thus the sudden trip to the Gallows. A little Sunshine for a wilted Daisy. It made perfect sense in her head, anyway.

Bethany fidgeted in her seat, crossing and uncrossing her legs. "I just don't understand why she won't talk to me. It's like she wants the silence of her own empty mind, but fears the solitude. I've felt her reach out, but no message comes. It's like sending an empty envelope."

"That's just the silly kind of thing she would do normally." The Rivaini chuckled a bit before frowning again, reminding herself that the blood mage was far from her usual, whimsical self. "I don't know what's going on. Our daughter of the rain and snow just can't make up her mind. She acts like she wants to be alone, but then she halfway contacts you? I mean, what do we do? Build her a lighthouse and guide her into port? Or just guide her through a bottle of port and hope she figures it out herself?" They both shook their heads at that idea. Merrill was a sloppy, perverted, and troublesome drunk. She was much more likely to start a riot than find enlightenment.

The mage ran her hand through her hair again. "I think I'll try and contact her, if that's alright with you."

Isabela nodded and stood. "Do you want me to leave?" She gestured toward the door.

She waved away the offer. "No. It's nice having company for a while."

"As you wish, Milady Sunshine." The Pirate Queen gave a mock bow and reached under her bed. "I'm going to enjoy one of these, then." She retrieved one of the many 'pieces of literature' she snuck into the Tower as gifts. This one was entitled 'Witch of a Wild Night'. Bethany hadn't read half of the smut she received and the description of that particular story shied her away.

"Would you like a towel to sit on?" The younger Hawke offered sarcastically as she repositioned her chair in front of the heavily-barred window.

Isabela scoffed as she threw herself onto the mattress. "Ooo, good one sis. But the written word will never compare to what Missy can do." She licked her lips provocatively and winked. "You should see this thing she does with her tongue. It's marvelous."

Bethany groaned and rubbed her temples. "Can you just read your dirty book quietly, 'Bela? I don't want you to get caught and I kind of need to concentrate." A filthy gesture and the opening of the tome was her answer.

She closed her eyes, her mind-link searching for its mate. Merrill? A faint sign of recognition, but nothing more. Sweetheart, I know you're there. Still no reply, but a murmur of melancholy was evident. Bethany had to change tactics. Ir abelas, ma vhenan. The little Dalish elf could not resist her girlfriend when she spoke in her native tongue, even if her pronunciation left something to be desired.

"Bethany."It was not more than a whisper, an assurance that she was still alive.

It's good to hear your voice, love. Isabela is here for a visit. She's worried about you and for good reason, I suspect.

"I… don't know what to say." Uncertainty.

Just tell me what's on your mind. I enjoy your adorable ramblings. She forced a smile, trying to send positive energy through the link.

"That's just it. I'm blank. I don't know what to think about all this." Confusion.

You're not blaming yourself, are you?

"Yes… and no. I killed the Keeper and I'll have to live with that. But she should have trusted me… I could have stopped the demon if it came through the Eluvian!" Frustration.

I know that, sweetheart. I do. But she didn't want to put you in harm's way. She loved you, in her own grouchy and awkward fashion.

"But the clan, Elgar'nan! They don't understand! They hate me because I killed the Keeper, because she loved me more than them! It's not fair, Bethany! Why does everyone leave me?" The Circle mage could feel her lover's tears and every bit of emotion behind them.

Shh. I'm here. Albeit in spirit, but I'm here.

"I'm so alone." Another whisper, probably not meant to be a message at all. Just a private thought that found its way across the link. After six years of use, they had nearly perfected it; that much was clear now.

Listen, sweetheart. I know things are rough right now. It feels like someone is cutting down your family tree. But you're never alone. You have me, Artemis, Aveline, and Varric, and…

"Isabela?"Came the somewhat sarcastic reply.

Sure, why not? Mages, hunters, warriors, liars, pirates. One big, happy family. She bit back a laugh and looked over at the Rivaini. She was sitting cross-legged, gazing intently down at the book in her hands, turning it this way and that to look at the pictures.

"My clan was my family…" Another wayward thought of mourning.

Stop your train of thought right there, Daisy. Let's get through this together, alright? I'm your heart, correct?

"Yes." The elf was choking back her sobs and Bethany could almost see it as well as feel it.

Then I want to grieve with you. Ir su araval tu elvaral u na emma abelas. She did her best at transferring the syllables correctly, not confident in her pronunciation.

"How did you know that saying?"Curiosity.

First Enchanter Orsino and I comforted a young boy that transferred from another Tower. I remember him saying that. He told me what it meant later and I wrote it down. I also know there's an Elvhen eulogy song. I'd like you to sing it for me.

"Bethany?"Modesty, with a twinge of amused appreciation.

We're going to put her memory to rest, so that we may move on. Please? I've got free hugs with your name on them… She sent a smile and a wink, hoping she would receive them.

"Ma nuvenin. But I have a horrible singing voice."Embarrassment. There was a pause before she continued.

"Hahren na melana sahlin, emma ir abelas
Souver'inan isala hamin, vhenan him dor'felas
In uthenera na revas

Vir sulahn'nehn, vir dirthera
Vir samahl la numin, vir lath sa'vunin."

The voice that flooded Bethany's mind was soft and sweet. She didn't understand most of the words, but it seemed uplifting toward the end, and she found herself smiling as brightly as her nickname.

Merrill, that was beautiful. She sent as much warmth and pride as she could, feeling most of it come through.

"But what do I do now?" Doubt.

Whatever you want! I want to give you back the open sky, the sea, the ancient wisdom of Arlathan. Whatever makes you happy! I want to make you happy. She focused intently on a picture of them hugging tightly. It would be blurry, having to travel this way, but the warmth she was supplied with meant it had reached its destination.

"You do make me happy."Pride.

I'm glad to hear it. Someone has to teach me proper Elvish! She was beaming now, feeling the shift in emotion.

"I suppose I could do that… But only if you promise me something."Liveliness.

Anything, sweetheart. Anything at all.

"Next time, you have to sing to me. You've got such a lovely voice." Love. Bethany had never sung for, or around, her girlfriend. The most anyone got to hear from her was a self-conscious hum.

Must all your mates serenade you to prove their worth?

"Absolutely! I don't want any children to inherit my voice!" Amusement.

Are you saying you want to have my babies? A smug smirk lit up her pale face. The conversation had taken a pleasant turn, at last.

"Yes… no! You should have mine! I'm much too small to carry around a mini-Hawke!" Hope.

Bethany remembered how tall her brother was before he died and how much he ate. You may have a point there. "Hey, 'Bela? Which one of you is getting pregnant?" She turned curiously to the pirate.

"WHAT?" Isabela choked and dropped her book in her lap, her face taken in shock.

The mage waved frantically, trying to quiet her. "Shh! You heard me. Who gets to birth the babies? You or Missy?" She asked seriously, despite the slight smile that threatened to curl her lips.

The Pirate Queen took a moment to consider before calmly replying. "I am not carrying anyone's children. If Hawke wants pups, she'll have to carry them herself." She informed her future sister-in-law as she picked up her book.

Did you hear that? Isabela just told me that she's going to make Artemis have her babies. She giggled slightly.

"I sensed as much. Little tan-skinned humans with flaming red hair? That'll be a sight to see! At least our half-elves will look normal!" Merrill sent her an image of three adorable, skinny, dark-haired youngsters wrestling and playing in a courtyard. Barefoot, of course, which made Bethany smile even brighter.

Nothing about any of our children is going to be normal, considering the amount of magic it will take to produce them. There were ways, of course; usually involving years of research and practice on the enchanter's part and a lot of coin on the couple's.

"None of us are average, are we?" Honesty.

Not in the slightest. But I prefer it that way.

"If we're going to have weird magical offspring, can we at least get a baby griffon?"Excitement.

The moment I find one, I'll let you know. If anyone could find a supposedly extinct species, it would be Isabela. "Merrill wants you to help find her a baby griffon." She chuckled as she made the request.

"I'll put it on my to-do list right between 'become the Queen of Rivain' and 'submit to the Qun'." The Pirate Queen answered as she closed her book, sliding it back under the bed.

"Isabela would be a great griffon-wrangler!"Whimsy.

She's too busy 'wrangling' my sister to choose a new profession, let alone one that requires actual work. She teased, still locking eyes with the Rivaini.

"I'm sure Artemis takes work… And lots of rope…"That little drabble came from a private corner of her mind and Bethany blushed. Isabela saw the pink in her cheeks and waved goodbye, quietly sneaking out the door.

Merrill! I heard that one! She shot back as soon as they were more alone.

"Sorry, love! My mind wanders this late at night."Innocence?

I forgive you… but you owe me. A hint of mischief escaped, just like her lazy grin. The one she saved exclusively for the bedroom. The one only her girlfriend had ever seen.

"What do you have in mind?"Definitely not innocence.

Do you have a lyrium potion and a stamina draught on hand? She asked politely as she began to undress, freeing herself from the restrictive Circle robes.

"In the other room, perhaps…"Intrigue.

Bethany quickly slid under the covers on her bed and exhausted her candle. Good, because I don't plan on sleeping until we figure out exactly what this link can do.

Ma nuvenin, ma asha'alas.

Translations (in order of appearance):

Ir abelas, ma vhenan - I am filled with sorrow for your loss, my heart

Elgar'nan - One of the Elvhen Creators, known as The God of Vengeance. Also used as an expletive.

Ir su araval tu elvaral u na emma abelas - A segment of the Elven Suledin, a song about endurance. 'But long journeys are made longer when alone within.'

Ma nuvenin - As you wish

The Elven Eulogy Song

Hahren na melana sahlin, emma ir abelas [Elder your time is come, now I am filled with sorrow]
Souver'inan isala hamin, vhenan him dor'felas [Weary eyes need resting, heart has become grey and slow]
In uthenera na revas [In Waking Sleep is freedom]

Vir sulahn'nehn, vir dirthera [We sing, rejoice, we tell the tales]
Vir samahl la numin, vir lath sa'vunin [We laugh and cry, we love one more day]

Arlathan - The ancient cultural center of the Elvhen world, collapsed by the Tevinter Imperium

Ma asha'alas - You dirty girl

Author's Note:

I made this Merrill and Bethany a little less innocent than most people are used to. But they're grown women. You can't expect them to chat about butterflies and rainbows all day long. And, perversions or no, I think this pairing was still plenty fluffy.

I hope you enjoyed it while it lasted. This is the end of timeline 1.