Under Darkness [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill hunches in, sensing Hawkes wariness. "Yes?" she replies in a nervous whisper.

[Marian Hawke]

There's a pause. "Please be careful?" she asks, her voice small, plaintive. 

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill nods quickly. "Papa is supervising. And- and Granny Peli and Minerva both have spoken with him, to make sure Justice is... gone. He's..." The elf blushes. "He's very skittish. I think Papa scares him. A lot. But he's very sweet now. SummerHill was so very good for him."

[Marian Hawke]

Hawke nods. "I... I hope you're right. I can't stand the idea he'd hurt you." 

[Tethras Clan]

"...are you... is that okay?" Merrill asks in a tiny voice.

[Marian Hawke]

"Someone hurting you?" growls Hawke. "No. Never." She takes a deep breath, lets it out. "But so long as you're careful, I don't... don't not be with him just because I'm afraid."

[Tethras Clan]

Eyes wide, Merrill presses her face against Hawke's chest- aggression still unsettles her, but she's gotten to the point where she can fight past it if she wants. And it's not a bad day. "Umm. I... okay. I... is... me being with him okay?"

[Marian Hawke]

"Yes," she says, petting Merrill's hair. "I'm not feeling jealous or... or overly possessive. I'm only frightened for you. I didn't think Anders could be so... I didn't expect what happened until it happened. I don't want you to be tricked either. But perhaps he has changed, I don't actually know."

[Tethras Clan]

The elf relaxes, slumping against Hawke like an indulged cat. "Good. That's good," she murmurs. "I was worried that... I know you wouldn't want to... also be with him. Probably. And I was worried..."

[Marian Hawke]

"My dear heart, my beloved, I would never, ever tell you not to love someone. Only to protect yourself as best you can. Love is a blessing."

[Tethras Clan]

"I'm glad you still have Astea," Merrill says, somewhat abruptly. "I... I doubt, sometimes," she confesses shamefully.

[Marian Hawke]

Marian is quiet for a long moment. Then, faintly, she mumbles, "me too." That's all she says; she cradles Merrill close and tries to dwell only on the love she feels, not on the pain.

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill nuzzles against Hawke for a moment, just letting the topic fade away. Me too.... glad or doubt? Or both? "...how's Isabela doing?" she asks after a bit. "Aveline stopped by and we talked for a while and I had a whole conversation, without doors, with Zevran the day before yesterday but I haven't seen her at all since you returned."

[Marian Hawke]

"Weirdly enough, she's been spending more time with Aveline lately," Hawke admits. "I'm glad they get along, and gladder for Aveline to be able to hang out with people who aren't me; this whole thing has been really hard on her, losing her job and all that. Maybe they'll get together, maybe they won't, but I'm glad they can try."

[Tethras Clan]

"Huh," Merrill says. "I did not see that coming," she admits with a laugh. "Flirty and Lady Lawful... then again, I suppose her and Zevran were unexpected too though..." She blushes. "Though I can only imagine how hot it must be," she whispers.