Disclaimer: Bioware owns Dragon Age and stuff
Merrill sighed in frustration as she plopped down on her bed, staring at the mirror. Scratched and cracked glass returned her gaze as she cursed the difficulty of the task of repairing it. She had been in her hovel for several days, poring over tomes, scrolls, anything that might be able to help her finally repair the Eluvian, only opening her door for occasional visits from Hawke and Varric, who at this point now seemed worried. Her search was in vain, and all her hard work had amounted to nothing. Despite trying to convince herself that her newfound vigor in her efforts was to finally finish the damned thing, she knew that she was also trying to avoid Isabella at all costs.
Merrill wanted, ever so badly, to know how Hawke felt, but she was afraid. Afraid that Hawke might snicker and cast her aside as a foolish girl that had been fooling herself all these years. Anyone else might have seen that Hawke had dropped subtle hints on his own feelings, but Merrill's self consciousness had blinded her, feeling outmatched by the dozens of beautiful noblewomen pining for him to be their suitor.
Shoving these thoughts aside, Merrill attempted to refocus on the task at hand. There was still one method that she hadn't tried yet. Pulling out her knife, she thought, 'I could always contact the spirit.' Deciding that she had reached a dead end and would try anything, she began to chant the incantations necessary to contact the demon on Sundermount. Completing the chant, she steadied the knife, and in a swift motion, brought it down on her arm, completing the spell with a sacrifice of her own blood.
A strange sensation fell upon her as a link between her and the spirit was forged. The cold voice of the spirit greeted her, "Ah the savior of Arlathan, I trust all is going well in your endeavors?"
"No," Merrill replied. "I've tried everything, but I can't seem to find anything!"
"Most unfortunate," The demon replied, its voice sounding almost irritated.
"I was hoping you might have a lead of some sort," Merrill asked, thinking that this might be her only chance.
The demon was silent for a moment but then said, "As a matter of fact I might have something that might further your success yet," The demon said as Merrill felt anticipation rise within her. "Your keeper," The demon began, saying the title with disdain, ", possesses an ancient ceremonial artifact, the Aruin'holm. Perhaps it will be of use," The demon finished, and Merrill felt its presence withdraw from her mind.
Cleaning herself up, Merrill stood up and was about to go find Hawke in Hightown when, as if on cue, someone knocked on her door.
As she had expected, Hawke was waiting outside, and while his facial expression was neutral, his eyes held traces of worry.
"Hawke!" Merrill said, greeting him. "I was just about to go and find you," Merrill said, ushering him inside.
"Something wrong?" Hawke said, one of his eyebrows raised.
"No," Merrill clarified, "I just wanted to ask you a favor."
"What might that be?" Hawke said, his expression changing to one of curiosity.
Merrill paused for a moment than said, "Come over here," Merrill said, walking into her small 'room.' "There's something I want to show you." Leading him in she gestured over to the ancient mirror in the corner.
Looking at it curiously, Hawke asked, "What is it?"
"It's an Eluvian, a mirror in our language," Merrill explained. "They say back in the days of Arlathan, that my people would use these to communicate. Repairing it could teach us so much about our people, all that we've lost." Looking at it she said, "It's beautiful, isn't it?"
"Pardon me," Hawke said, "but I do believe the dusty old mirror pales in comparison to its owner."
Merrill blushed, but then dismissed the comment as Hawke being nice. Continuing she said, "I had reached a dead end of sorts, but then something came up. The keeper has a ceremonial knife, the Aruin'holm, which might be able to finish the job." Pausing for a moment she said, "I… I need your help to get it."
"Are you afraid of facing Marethari alone?" Hawke asked.
Merrill's eyes lowered. "I saw her looking at me the other day when I came out of the fade. She looked so disappointed in me, and I just know when we get there she is going to give me her most condescending stare that just makes me lose my nerve."
Nodding in understanding Hawke replied, "It's alright, I'll have your back."
"Thank you lethallin," Merrill said smiling.
Arriving at the Hanged Man, Hawke was prepared to bring Varric and Fenris. While Merrill had questioned the bringing of the strongly anti- mage ex- slave, Hawke reasoned that with his unusual abilities and penchant for swordplay, Fenris could come in handy should things start going south. Varric, as always, was happy to join another one of Hawke's potential mishaps in the making. Fenris on the other hand agreed albeit extremely begrudgingly, claiming that he was tired of sitting around in his luxurious Hightown mansion.
They were about to depart from the bar when suddenly Isabella stopped them. "Hey Varric, mind if we swap? Figure I owe Hawke a favor after taking one for the team during that venture."
"Damn right," Hawke muttered rubbing his face at the spot where he had been bitten subconsciously.
Varric eyed Isabela warily, not quite buying it. She winked at him, and as if an unspoken message had been communicated, he nodded in understanding and stepped aside without argument.
"Oh and before we go," Isabella said suddenly grabbing one of Merrill's arms as she began to drag her away to a more private setting. "I need to borrow Kitten for a moment, we haven't talked in days," Isabela continued, giving Merrill a glare. Leading Merrill into her room, Isabela shut the door behind them.
"Been avoiding me huh, kitten," Isabela said smirking. "You know," Isabela said, suddenly becoming very interested in her nails, "if you don't make your move on Hawke, someone else will. I mean, the noblewomen are practically on there knees for him to be their suitor," She went on, and Merrill's eyes lowered. "But, by your obvious lack of trying, you don't seem to care," Isabela said nonchalantly.
"That's not true!" Merrill said, almost shouting.
"Oh really?" Isabella replied, "Could have fooled me."
"It's just… I get so nervous… I'm afraid that when I try to tell him that I'll be reduced to a babbling idiot, and look like a complete fool," Merrill said, her eyes lowering.
"Trust me, he won't say know if you offer to take him to bed," Isabela said.
"I know," Merrill said, "But I want more than that Isabela, I-"
"Am smitten with the man," Isabella finished. "Yes, I know, and when this is over and done with today I am going to help you bed the most handsome thing that this drab city has ever seen." Finally leading Merrill out she said, "Come on, the other's are probably wondering what we've been doing for the past several minutes," Isabela said suggestively.
Merrill felt waves of nostalgia arise her as the mountains of Sundermount loomed above them, their familiar misty peaks reminding her of her departure from the clan. As they entered the Dalish camp she saw some of her former clan mates recognize her, and then turn away in disgust. Fenris was looking more cross by each passing moment, likely regretting to come and help her.
Merrill felt her throat tighten up as they neared the center of the camp, where Marethari usually was. Steeling herself, she continued forward, as she saw the keeper walk towards them.
"It has been long since you last returned here da'len," Marethari said. "What brings you here?"
Merrill looked back at Hawke, who gave an encouraging nod before she spoke. "Keeper, I have been working on the Eluvian over the years of my absence," She noticed that Marethari had frowned for a moment before changing back to her usual neutral expression, "I believe that the Aruin'holm is key in it's repairing, and ask that you give it to me," Merrill finished, now holding her breath subconsciously as she waited for the keeper to respond.
Marethari appeared to consider for a moment and then said, "I have warned you that the Eluvian is dangerous," raising her hand to silence her protest, she continued, "but you are no longer a child anymore, so I ask that you do one thing for me, and it will be yours. The varterral has been acting strange lately and we sent several hunters to investigate. They haven't come back for days, so I assume that they have been killed. Slay the creature, and bring back tokens from the hunters so that I may bring them to their families."
"We'll do it," Merrill said, surprised that the keeper had relented.
Nodding in acknowledgement, Marethari said, "The varterral has taken refuge in the cave along that path," She said, gesturing behind her. "May the dread wolf not catch your scent."
They had made their way to the cave cutting their way through the place's unfriendly inhabitants, finding the corpses of hunters along the way. It seemed that there wasn't a single living elf in the entire cave when suddenly Merrill heard a rushing person coming toward them.
A voice called out, "Is someone there," A figure stepped out of a passage leading from the heart of the cave. Seeing the group he said, "Oh thank the ma- I mean the creators," coming further into view. Merrill didn't recognize him at first, but then remembered him as Pol, who used to be one of her friends before she left the clan.
"Pol?" Merrill said, "Is that you?" She asked.
A look of fear descended the elf's features as he cried out, "Merrill! No, no stay away from me. I know what you are what you've done!" He proceeded to flee back deeper into the cave.
"Pol, no!" Merrill shouted in desperation, but her words seemed lost on her former friend. Rushing along with the other's behind him they continued onward to a cavernous area where they spotted Pol being cornered by an enormous creature, the varterral. The creature stepped closer and Pol barely had enough time to scream before the monster brought one of its spider-like limbs down harshly upon his body with a sickening snap.
Merrill resisted the urge to vomit at the sight, but righted herself as she noticed the creature was now lumbering towards them. Fenris had already prepared himself, his lyrium tattoos glowing brightly. Bringing down his sword one of the creatures legs, he sliced through the appendage, nearly taking it off. As the varterral roared in pain, collapsing, and Isabela moved in taking advantage of the momentary distraction to unleash a flurry of fast, precise strikes at its body.
Merrill, calling upon the power of the earth, promptly encased the weakened creature's legs, immobilizing it. Hawke moved in channeling a massive inferno from his staff. The creature screamed, and in a latch ditch effort, managed to break free of one its stone bonds, lashing out at Hawke and sending him sprawling. After a few moments it appeared that he was alright, but Merrill couldn't help the anguish building in her, this creature had likely killed Pol, along with several others of the clan. Focusing on channeling her mana she suddenly brought her staff down, causing tremors to rock the cavern when suddenly a stalagmite rose from under the varterral impaling it. The creature struggled violently for a moment and then fell dead.
Rushing over to Pol's still body, Merrill called out," Hawke come over hear, Pol needs healing," she said in desperation. Hawke walked over kneeling by Pol's side. Placing his hands near him, he began to emit a blue healing aura. Stopping after a couple of moments he lowered his hands and sighed. "I'm sorry Merrill, there's nothing more I can do… he's dead," Hawke said, defeated.
"Why did he run?" Merrill choked out, tears running down her face.
"Merrill, you did all you could, there was nothing more that we could do." Hawke said in an attempt to console her.
"Yes kitten, Hawke's right, some men just do stupid things for no reason at all," Isabela added.
"I thought of everyone, that he would understand, he wasn't like the others. Yet he just ran from me like I was a monster," Merrill sniffled.
"You are a monster," Fenris snarled, his words like daggers in her heart being twisted.
"You aren't helping," Isabela said, throwing Fenris a glare.
"Good," Fenris said uncaringly.
"That's enough Fenris," Hawke said angrily. "You don't see her kicking at you when you're off brooding about your problems."
Fenris glared at Hawke, but didn't speak any further.
Merrill looked at Hawke grateful for his defense. Gathering herself she stood thinking, "At least I'll have what I came for, perhaps his death won't be in vain once I save my people." Rising from where she stood, "Come," She said, wiping at her eyes, "We should go back before the keeper gets worried." Merrill didn't want to stay in the accursed cave for another moment.
As they returned back to the camp, the keeper did not look surprised that the group had come back in one piece. She knew that over the years of adventuring had allowed them all to hone their talents becoming masters of their own styles. "It is good that you return unharmed," As Merrill handed the various items acquired from the dead hunters Marethari thanked her saying, "I thank you for doing this da'len, perhaps the loved ones of the dead may find comfort in these items."
Turning to Hawke she said, "I entrust you to an artifact that we have kept for generations. You have proven to be a man of sound mind, and I trust that you will make the right choice," She said looking at Merrill. "The light I had seen in you still shines brightly even through these long years. Be sure to keep it strong, for you may soon have need of it." The keeper said, placing the wrapped aruin'holm in his hands before walking away into her tent.
Merrill looked at Hawke expectantly as he walked toward her, and she couldn't help but feel uneasy at what he might decide.
Her concern was not needed however as Hawke placed the artifact in her hands. "It's yours Merrill, I trust you and your judgment," Hawke said smiling. "Just be careful, that's all I ask."
"Thank you lethallin, I will," Merrill said, unsure how she had gained the faith of this man, when so many other did not. 'Soon,' she told herself, 'I will tell him how much, how much he means to me, I owe him that at least."
A/N I think everyone knows what's coming next, the moment you've been so patiently waiting for! Reviews are much appreciated!