Merrill - “It's a Keeper's job to remember.”

And you're wrong. 
Pol runs away not because of Merrill, but because of Marethari's stupidity. Merrill doesn't want to kill him, she warns him. Pol doesn't listen her, because of Marethari infected him with fear.
Also:
Who is possessed at the end? Marethari, not her.
Who is proud enough to work secretly, because of her obsession? Yes, Marethari, not Merrill.
Who jeopardizes her whole clan with her obsession?  MARETHARI. She treats Merrill like the (idiot) parents their children, while Merrill is adult. She should have to leave the Sundermount with the clan years ago, as Merrill said, but she stood here, because she loved better Merrill than her clan (Fenarel).
And who is wise enough to ask for help if she fails the "spirit"? Merrill.
She knew the danger, and asked for help. Marethari also knew the danger, but didn't ask for help, and her stupidity and stubbornness, obsession (almost) kill her clan.

Merrill's reaction in rivalry is absolutely logical (except the end, if she smashs the Eluvian). 

What are the other situations? Merrill is very wise seems her young age. Also, she's patient and always keep her kindness, even with anyone who rude toward her. Fenris, perhaps Hawke, and Anders. She can be sarcastic, but never malevolent. She's not good at understanding people's behaviour, yet, she has emotional intelligence.

I said, I love Velanna too, but her clan exiled her, just like Merrill. I just say. Velanna isn't better than Merrill, they're different, and both have reasons.

Something that is confusing me about timelines here (I noticed this on my last run of Witch Hunt). How much of the Brecillinan Eluvian does Merrill have to build off of? Given that we know the beginnings of DAII as one year since Lothering's destruction and that Anders is there as well... In WH you return to the location of the Elven ruins from the Dalish Origin to find most of the Eluvian still there, just smashed.

But Merrill HAD to have been here beforehand, since Clan Sabrae up and left likely BEFORE the horde got past Ostagar (the fast travel mechanic REALLY screws up timetables and the order of events, but that's for another time). Given that WH is likely at least a year, possibly more removed from the Battle of Denerim (Morrigan had to have given birth and then more time passes), did Merrill just grab the single shard or more than that?

(I find it highly unlikely that Anders could have reached Kirkwall in the timeframe we're given officially, what with how much time he HAD to have spent in Amaranthine I mean COME ON, I know most of Awakening was ignored/retconed for the rest of the series but STILL. Awakening, Amgaraak, and Witch Hunt all happening in less than one YEAR? No way you're convincing me that is the case. Hell, the events of Origins ALONE should have taken a year if not 6 or more months.)

So if Witch Hunt happened after Clan Sabrae left Ferelden (which it had to), then Merrill only has a limited amount of the original Eluvian to work with, which partially explains why she's having so much trouble restoring/reconstructing it. They could also work like the closet doors of Monsters Inc, only able to function if you rebuild the whole thing from its original pieces.

Again, gaming timelines are screwy.

Most_Toasty @most_Toasty
Please bring Merrill back for dragon age 4 please. #DragonAge #illustrations #fanart



Ghast Whisperer thats1evildude
While I really like your cute drawing of my sweet Merrill, I’d rather NOT see her in DA4. They’ll make her join Solas and turn on me. And that’ll destroy me. 😢
(Also, I heard a rumour that Eve Myles hated the role.)

Eve Myles @teamevemyles
I loved it x

Oh yeah, she would totally join Solas, especially given her fascination with the ancient elves and her tendency to be overly accepting of justifications for using potentially dangerous magic. That said, it seems likely that you'd have a chance to talk her out of it seeing as she also would heavily disapprove of Solas' methods and end goal should she know about them.

I want to believe that Merrill wouldn't join Solas - that her love for Isabela, Varric, Hawke, etc. would prevent her from going down that road. But there was that scene in the Fade where she was tempted by a Pride demon (Solas = Pride.....) and... this happened.

Pride demon: Would you take what I offered the boy? Scion of the Dalish, savior of elvenkind?
Merrill: Can you do that?
Pride demon: I am the greatest of my kind. Whatever tricks your little pet has taught you will pale in comparison.
Merrill: (to Hawke) I cannot put you ahead of the fate of my people. *attacks*

So I honestly think it depends on how her views and priorities have changed over the years, whether she would 100% doubt Solas because he's the Dread Wolf - holding fast to her people's legends - or, as with her interest in blood magic and the eluvians, she's willing to overlook what could be considered superstition to uncover real elven history. She doesn't have all the meta info that we do, so I think it's hard to say.

I can see a story being contrived to have her participate in Solas' schemes, but DA2 treatment might determine how willing she is to drink the kool aid.

Then as a forced event, she is shocked by the extent of things and does something redeeming.

She's still very close to her values. But she's also likely (again, depending) had something of a humbling experience through DA2. I think she can range anywhere from antagonistic to a new protagonist, to a spy/source for our side, and either can fit a similar plot.

And even in antagonism, I don't see her becoming a devotee to Solas unless magically compelled or the like.

The thing is, no matter what by the time she would even have the opportunity to join him she’d already know the truth about him and his plans through Varric. With how much he watches over her, there is no way he wouldn’t tell her at least that much to protect her.

It appears as if you got that backwards. I accept the fact that Hawke's cameo in DAI is flawed, up to the point that a mage Hawke might come across as an utter hypocrite. That is not my Hawke in any case, and it makes me somewhat afraid of how a writer could mess up a possible appearance of the Inquisitor in DA4, especially since there are far more things to mess up. Just take the whole faith question. Otherwise, it is just a case of #NotMyHawke. Well, in case of Shepard, I'm doing that ever since I played ME2 for the very first time. Besides, ME2's whole premise would support that, regardless of what a husk-eyed chainsmoker and his favourite Mary Sue would claim about their space magic.

I'd like to (again) point out it's Varric telling a story...so he'd likely change certain aspects about Hawke, both in looks and abilities
I actually wouldn't put it past him to change up some of Hawke's standpoints on things like blood magic as well