Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Carver Amell]

"Guest room? Don't tell me she lives with Renare?"

[Tethras Clan]

"I don't have a home," Merrill says softly, shoulders hunching.

"Merrill is an orphan. Many in the village have taken turns hosting her over the years. Currently, she's staying with Layla's parents... one of Raynare's friends," Elder Marethari explains evenly. "After today's events, I assume there will be no objects to me hosting again?" Both Elders shake their heads wordlessly, not willing to challenge the old woman right now.

[Bethany]

Bethany's eyes soften as she puts her father out of her mind for now, wanting to focus on Merrill right now. Slipping an arm around the elf, she pulls her close. "I... I understand that, a little. We're orphans too, sort of. We were lucky enough to have Varric take us in after Golden Shores was destroyed."

[NPCs]

"What?" Malcolm asks, eyes wide. "What do you mean- wait. Where are- did- Marian? Leandra?"

[Carver Amell]

"Leandra ab--" 

His hateful words choke off, and he shakes his head, trying again. "Leandra turned against Bethany. And you left us. Varric's our dad now. And... and Marian..."

His voice cracks; he straightens his back, looking Malcolm in the eye. "Marian is dead."

[NPCs]

Malcolm turns bone white and sinks to the ground with unseeing eyes. "She's... dead? I- how? When... she's dead?"

[Bethany]

Bethany turns her head to stare at him. "How- you didn't know? Didn't you hear about Golden Shores?"

[NPCs]

"We're fairly isolated, only rarely getting outside news," Elder Marethari explains. "Even the caravans only speak with a few of us and don't often stop longer than they must."

[Varric]

"I guess Leandra didn't send word either? Should have guessed," Varric mutters. Damn. Bit of an ass, sure, and weak-willed, careless and shallow as well but... finds out his wife-to-be is a bitch, is faced with his kids hating him, finds out his daughter his is dead and their mother also a bitch, all at once. That's... rough.

[Carver Amell]

"She died to save us," says Carver softly, his voice hoarse. "We-- the whole town's dead. Demon invasion, it, some fool summoned them and lost control. We barely escaped. We'd all have died if she hadn't... if she hadn't... If she hadn't protected us. In some ways, Marian was the parent we needed."

[NPCs]

"Marian's dead... and... you're..." Malcolm shakes his head sluggishly, dazed and overwhelmed. Something occurs to him, a nugget of... not terrible in all the horror. "You've- you've been adopted? By..." He looks over at Varric. "He's... he's good for you?" he almost begs.

[Bethany]

"Yes," Bethany says coldly. "Even before Leandra cast me out for preferring woman and Carver for not turning on me, Varric looked after us. Gave us support and comfort. Kindness, gruff and awkward as it often was. Education and training, a place to grow and be young. He's been a better father, a better parent, in the last year than either of you were our entire lives." She takes a deep breath, struggling to get her bitterness under control. "But you're better than her, if that helps. You're just... feckless. She's cruel and hateful. And... and I'm sorry you learned about Marian this way. You deserved better than that at least."

[Varric]

Okay, this is getting... really... yeah. "So, about that invitation to tea?" Varric says pointedly. "You know, somewhere other than here? Where people can process and not say more words to each other?"

[NPCs]

"Yes, quite so," Elder Marethari says with a nod. "Merrill, perhaps you'd like to show your new friends the way?"

[Tethras Clan]

Perking up, Merrill nods eagerly and takes a hand from both twin. "Yes! Come on, I'll take you there."