shut up and dance with me ;;

[chainlightning]

WHO: Merrill & OPEN
WHAT: Open log
WHEN: 29 Guardian - 18 Drakonis; can do earlier but then ignore the dragon bits c:
WHERE: Emprise du Lion, the way back to Skyhold, and Skyhold itself
NOTES: probably adorable

[ Victory, for Merrill, has always meant that the people they were meant to help and defend were safe, whether they were refugees or mages or her group of friends. As long as no one has been too seriously hurt, all of them have tasted sweet. This latest, though, is particularly good: the three dragons that had caused so much harm and scared so many in the Emprise have been defeated, and Merrill was able to help in the takedown of one.

She'd had ideas, good ideas. She'd been listened to. Magic and blades and mabari teeth had all flashed and sang and the dragon had fallen, and where Merrill isn't exactly known to make a ruckus, it makes her happy enough that she can be found celebrating -- at the tavern, because it had been insisted upon, but there's also some delighted humming and skipping through camp. This continues as Merrill starts on her journey back to Skyhold, ready for an adventure of a different sort; she's more than happy to chat with others on the road, or help if they need help.

In Skyhold itself, she can be seen with a little mongrel pup following at her heels. She is, if anything, a bit more subdued in the fortress; when she manages to navigate the twisting halls, she tends to be found in the library, trying to find anything and anything related to her people and to magic. It's a slow process, not in the least helped by her abysmal sense of direction or her willingness to be distracted by her dog, the weather, particularly nice stone work, and anyone who looks interesting. ]

Comments

[harthad_uluithiad]

[ Sam wrinkles his brow. He hadn't considered them splitting up, but now that she suggests it... ]

Whyever not? Wouldn't that make more sense, in the end?

[ Not that he's eager to leave her, not at all, but - ]

We'd cover more ground that way.

[chainlightning]

Absolutely not.

[ Firm First Voice. ]

We wouldn't be able to find each other again! What if you got out and I ended up locked in a dungeon everyone forgot about and no one could get into because the door locked behind me?

[harthad_uluithiad]

Oh...

[ Sam's eyes grow wide and serious. ]

Oh I...well I didn't think of that.

Are there such dungeons, round here? [ He looks around, suddenly worried. ]

[chainlightning]

Not that I've ever found, but it is a very old place.

[ There's all sorts of Weird Shit in old places. ]

I don't know if everyone's found all the odd parts of it yet.

[harthad_uluithiad]

[ Now Sam's more worried than ever. He's been in old places before, and rarely has it ended well. ]

I'd just as soon not be the first, then. [ He sneaks a glance over his shoulder, freezing suddenly. Was that a floorboard creaking? Or maybe some sort of a groan? ]

- Did you hear something?

[chainlightning]

What?

[ Sam, Merrill would have to be paying attention to things beyond you in order to hear something. ]

No, I didn't... but maybe we should start walking?

[harthad_uluithiad]

I think - I think we should, yes.

[ Another creak, and Sam jumps a bit, and points quickly in the opposite direction. ]

That way.

[chainlightning]

[ The creaking is making her nervous, and she grabs her staff with one hand. ]

I'm going to cast a barrier spell on the two of us, if that's okay? Just in case we- um, fall.

[ Or get attacked.

Of course, the noise behind them could be someone friendly, but now Sam's got her worried. Enough that she's starting to move without waiting for an answer. ]

[harthad_uluithiad]

A what?

[ Sam blinks, only to jump as the barrier shimmers to life over them both. He stares, eyes wide. ]

Oh!

[ He reaches a hand out gingerly, staring at the blue glow even as he hurries to catch up with Merrill. ]

It'll - it'll protect us?

[chainlightning]

It'll help, yes -- things won't hit quite as hard, because they won't be able to.

[ Even though they're hurrying, she still takes the time to turn her head and flash him a smile. ]

They're very useful!

[harthad_uluithiad]

[ Sam smiles back, a little uncertain, but genuine. ]

I never saw no magic like that before!

...But I'm sure there's nothing to worry about. It's just better to...to be prepared, that's all.

[ Right? ]

[chainlightning]

I'll show you more, if you like!

[ Hopefully while not in a combat situation with their potential stalker. ]

Exactly, [ Merrill agrees, firm and refusing to look behind them to see if they're being followed by anything terrifying. ] There's absolutely no harm in it.

[harthad_uluithiad]

Really?

[ He brightens at the offer, the idea exciting enough to overcome his fear at their current situation. ]

Oh, I'd dearly love to see more! I couldn't do anything like it of course: I'm no wizard. [ Even though every other person here, practically, seems to be. ] But that don't make it any less interesting to watch!

[chainlightning]

Of course! You may not be able to do magic, but it's good to know what mages can do, I think. And- well, personally I find it all very interesting, too.

[ It's nice to know Sam feels the same. ]

And we still have to talk about plants!

[harthad_uluithiad]

[ Sam smiles shyly at her. ]

I - I could show you the garden sometime, maybe. There's nothing from home of course, but I've started to learn a bit about the plants here, and how to tend them.

That is, if you think you'd want to see.

[chainlightning]

I would love that.

[ Honest, earnest, and she smiles back. ]

And maybe some seeds from home will come out of a Rift, one day!

[harthad_uluithiad]

I've already got one.

[ He smiles shyly, thinking of his carefully-protected mallorn seed, still tucked safely into Galadriel's box. ]

It's a special one, though. I...[ He drops his eyes, suddenly sad. ] I was...saving it. For when I get back.

[chainlightning]

You should keep saving it, then.

[ There's always the option that Sam will get to go home, after all. ]

Maybe more will come.

[harthad_uluithiad]

[ Sam shakes his head stubbornly. ]

No, more won't come. Not like this. It was a gift from the Lady Galadriel herself, it was.

[ He glances at Merrill. Perhaps it would be better to use it here, just to see it bloom, and to give the Elves here some glimpse of what life is like back in Middle-earth. But then...it's early days yet, isn't it? He might get back yet. ]

I think...I think I will save it. At least for the moment.

[chainlightning]

Well, maybe not like that one, then. But there could still be more from your world, just different kinds!

[ Optimism, Sam. ]

The rifts do seem to like your world, since so many of you have shown up here.

[harthad_uluithiad]

Like my world?

[ He hadn't thought of it like that, and his expression brightens at the thought. ]

If that's true, then maybe Mr. Frodo'll arrive yet!

...Though maybe that wouldn't be such a good thing after all.

[chainlightning]

[ The last time Merrill asked about a friend of Sam's, it had been very depressing. But he seems so hopeful, so- ]

Is he a hobbit as well?

[harthad_uluithiad]

[ He may worry overmuch when it comes to Frodo, but the thought of him is never depressing. Sam smiles fondly and nods. ]

Oh yes; Mr. Bilbo's nephew he is, and my employer. [ Best to get that out of the way quickly, and avoid any more misunderstandings as to what Master might mean. ] And no one could ask for a better!

[chainlightning]

Do you garden for him, then? He's very lucky to have you!

[ Whether Sam gardens for him or not, she can't imagine anyone being unlucky to have Sam. He's a very kind, devoted hobbit. ]

[harthad_uluithiad]

Yes'm. Leastways I did, back at Bag End; and then I was to go with him to Crickhollow and do for him, as they say. [ He blushes, ducking his head at the compliment. ] Well I don't know about that; but the gardens at Bag End were the finest on the Hill, and I don't mind saying so - even the Gaffer couldn't say otherwise.