Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

She couldn’t tell you the exact moment where it all went wrong. Merilwen would like to guess that it just happened over time, one domino fall after another, another selfish want, another dismissal.

While most could guess that the group she once associated herself with were likely a bad influence on her. You don’t expect to leave the Oxventurers as a better person than when one started, she was not the first and definitely not the last to call out their group for their more… malicious actions. However, there were events that just… pushed? Let’s say nudged her to her spiteful side. A side that wanted to take what she wanted and leave, back to her life in the forests of the Old Thicket in solitude, simply hunting and exploring, no worries about the moral obligations of society.

Maybe it’s when Egbert revealed he could cast Moonbeam, that didn’t bother her at first, in fact, she was excited to have another member with the same power! But then it was the reveal that he could also speak with animals! It was as if he was trying to take away what made her important to the group, her most powerful spell and her reputation as the animal lover. If anyone was forced to break down Merilwen’s character to one trait, it would be “animal lover”. Hell! Their first adventure would’ve gone on for far longer if it wasn’t for her powers and the right questions being asked (You’re welcome).

Maybe it’s when she’s dismissed by everyone she knows, maybe it’s when she’s passed up at every opportunity, maybe it’s when she’s only ever listened to when she proposes horrendous actions, mAYBE IT’S WHEN-

Calm down, breathe in, breathe out. Keep yourself under check. It’s fine. 

If it’s a bad guy they want out of her…

Then she’ll deliver them exactly that.

Chapter Text

Prudence couldn’t tell you the exact moment where it all went wrong. Well, she did notice over time that she was changing, but that’s natural! Especially with the group’s less-than-virtuous approach to adventuring. 

Prudence laid in bed now, thinking about the events leading up to Merilwen’s departure. Memories repeating themselves on loop, each iteration laced more with the poison of guilt, eating away at her heart. The bed underneath her felt cold, the pillow like stone, the blanket like a boulder crushing her. She needed to leave- She needed to get out- get OUT- GET OUT

The waves crashed pitifully against the ship’s hull, it was that time of night when the sea and sky appeared to have melted together, the only thing separating them are the white pinpricks above her and the full moon that attempted to mimic the warmth and brightness of the sun. 

It’s not the same. It’s not the same anymore.

Prudence rested her weight on the edge of the ship, breathing in gulps of the salt-filled air. She stayed in that position, relishing in the chill of the night. Eventually, she turned herself towards the cabins, the Joyful Damnation felt emptier, both physically and emotionally. The group have tried to adapt the best they can; Corazon pretending that he’s not affected ( unsurprisingly he has merch ideas), Dob and Egbert trying to keep the crewmates optimistic ( “She’ll come back!”/”She’s probably gone to visit her family!” ) and Prudence… wished she could believe them.

Prudence once again recounted the events before the druid’s exit, it seems to be the only thing she does these days. She remembered how the elf had become more closed-off, and while Prudence did appreciate that Merilwen was finally listening to her suggestions, she would be lying if she didn’t feel the slightest bit of concern towards her change in morality. She poked and prodded for answers and reactions but she always underestimated the tiny elf’s stubbornness.

The night Merilwen left, Prudence had heard footsteps out on the poopdeck but shrugged it off. Everyone on the ship knew that Merilwen liked to wander and watch the stars after her meditation ( She claimed that it helped her connect with the moon. Nerd ). Hell, sometimes Merilwen would turn into a cat and snuggle with the other Oxventurers. However, that night, the footsteps were followed by a splash. Immediately, Prudence had risen from her bed and ran out to the poopdeck, grumbling about her loss of sleep when she noticed that Merilwen wasn’t there. 

She sprinted to the edge and tried to pierce through the waves with her eyes but no sight of the druid. The tiefling ran to Merilwen’s cabin to find that it had been left bare, not even a note left behind. Alarm bells rang as she rapped the doors of the other members, desperate to wake them up and help her find her Merilwen. 

Hours had passed and the sun had finally crept up behind them. Hours of scouring the sea near the ship. Hours of sending messages in an attempt to hit their target. Hours of searching the ship in hopes to find her curled behind a barrel or be stuck in the pantry again. Hours that ended with a group of 4 Oxventurers, lost, tired and drained from the fruitless search. Many if not all the members were left wiping away the tears that somehow made their way down their faces. It was obvious what had happened now, it was all adding up.

The change in personality, the self-isolation, the lack of note.

Merilwen ran away…