James feels his chest expand out - but then Merrill speaks and it's all he can do not to in fact, feel sheepish and embarrassed. Like he is before First Enchanter Lydia again, chiding him for getting caught up in his own pride. She is right - he has let himself get drawn into a fight that isn't going to go anywhere, and is not helping Merrill, but impeding her care.

"Of course." He goes to get her a glass of water, putting his hand behind her head so she can drink. "I am sorry, Merrill. I did not mean to let my temper get the best of me."

Then he looks over at Anders for a long, hard moment, before he states simply.
"They tell me you gave yourself up. That you didn't even fight, after the explosion. So, I offer my apologies, for my assumptions that you felt no guilt. A truly penitent man ... would have stayed for his own judgement. Sometimes it is not easy to see past one's own grief ... and anger."

He looks down at Merrill, addressing them both, "Perhaps it was Meredith's kind that would see you all die, for what you have done, whatever it might be ... but my kind only wishes to serve. To protect, and do the Maker's work."