Blood from Stone [AU]

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene hesitates, then flips back a page or two, showing Merrill something written there, thankfully in Sylvan: it seems to be a diary entry, something Helene has never showed Merrill or any of the kids. The odd prophecy jotted down, sure, and sketches, but not the writing, not the personal stuff. 

This entry is particularly heartbreaking:

I recall that I am loved, that he loves me. That is the important think to keep in mind. So. Logically, knowing that he loves me, knowing that we are wed, knowing that he would never seek to harm me, why his actions? Why hide something of this magnitude from me? The question circles my mind, over and over. Why? Why?

There has to be a reason, and the reason has to be to avoid further, or more devastating harm. I cannot control myself now that I've found out. Perhaps he knew I would not be able to? Perhaps I have been more distraught of late than I believed myself to be. Perhaps I have been erratic, unreasonable, impossible to approach.

I cannot self-assess. I must find a diagnostic measure that is accurate and impartial. If I am losing my faculties, if I have done lasting harm with the previous ritual, then it must be corrected. Then I must go to Draslina. If a move is to be made, perhaps I should go to Draslina, become well, and return to the family when they have settled in Orzimmar.

Why do I not go to Draslina now? Why do I insist on self-assessment? Why am I afraid? I must not be. I must be brave, and become well, so that I can continue to be a parent to the children, a spouse to my husband. I must improve myself.

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill studies that for a moment, Glimmerwing coming to land on her shoulder to read as well. "But- okay, that's admittedly better than just running away like I was afraid of. But also still no. I mean, I get that you're worried that something is... wrong. But maybe it's Dad. He does make mistakes. And he can be too clever for his good sometimes. And he's not great with emotions either. So... Beth, I think. Beth is the best with that sort of thing in the family. But if you need an outside opinion or whatever, why not Wynne or John? Or just a random healer from SummerHill? Why abandon us all to go to Draslina? Especially 'cause I don't think you've been acting weird but Dad has been. So maybe he need to be checked."

"He might be infested with evil mind bugs," Kevin offers meekly. "Like Mister Graves was, or his boss."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene's attention snaps to Kevin immediately. 

[Tethras Clan]

Kevin ducks his head, clearly intimidated by the Absolute Attention of Seeker Helene. "S-sorry, I just- sorry, I'll be quiet," he whispers. 

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene hesitates, rocking back and forth. Varric was too smart to be caught by the trap that caught Marian, but... if something else was influencing him...

Helene flips to a new page and carefully, painstakingly, writes out in Sylvan, "This one is damaged. Perhaps Varric did not see because of evil bugs?"

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill bites her lip, head tilted. "Glim... You're... normal and-"

~Normal is relative. I am a dragon. But yes, Varric has been acting strange. Busy, distracted and stressed for several weeks. Cold, and uncaring in the last day.~

"Why didn't you say anything?" the elf blurts out, voice a little shrill and hurt.

Glimmerwing pulls her head back, then huffs. ~You did not ask. He is not my person. I will add him to the list of those I must watch.~ Which is now everyone. Except maybe Beth's mate.

[Helene Dakesh]

Weeks. Helene's face falls, and they write quickly, "Varric has been to the temple weekly for purification, and the Lantern has defenses to ensure that no undue influence holds sway over the Lights. He cannot be infested with anything."

[Tethras Clan]

"...well... maybe... you said earlier, in the letters, that they were threatening us. The dwarves. What if that was that and then this is, umm, bugs?" Merrill offers. Kevin, meanwhile, is staring at them slack-jawed, stunned at being believed for once.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene hesitates, then adds, "This one is defective. Varric did not notice. This is"

The pencil lifts, as Helene chews on the back end of it, liking the texture of the wood in their mouth. 

[Tethras Clan]

"So am I. Defective. Does that mean you don't love me? Want me in your life? Does it make me... less than say Carver or Beth?" Merrill demands shrilly. 

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene flinches, and quickly jots down, "Treatment is required. Love is not enough."

[Tethras Clan]

"Treatment for what?" Merrill demands. "Why do you need to go there for it?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene pauses, then glances at Kevin, and swallows hard before writing again. "this one is dream-taken. There is a program in Draslina. The best program in the Free Outlands. This one would enroll."

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill adopts a mulish expression. "Best is best by yourself," she mutters. "How long? Why can't SummerHill work?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene hesitates, then scratches down, "philosophical differences."