all the tl;dr...
[ snorts, giving him a wry look ]
Quentin, what else? I think I'd say he was just about the worst thing that's ever happened in my life. I mean, seeing those darkspawn descend on Ostagar was enough to make you wet yourself -- not that I did [ very important clarification ] -- and leaving Bethany to rot in the Deep Roads because we couldn't risk the Blight ourselves wasn't what I'd call "fun", either.
[ bitter, self-depreciating laugh ] Carver and Bethany were my fault, sort of. I didn't protect them, but no one can protect somebody from themselves. Mother, I... [ hesitates; the only time she's ever really spoken of it was when she threw it in Gamlen's face, taking a fraction of her rage out on her uncle. possibly the only time the man hadn't deserved her scorn. ]
When DuPuis told us about the women, I didn't even think about Mother. Not even for a second. Even when she said she was thinking of remarrying, I didn't even ask her to be careful. He could have picked any woman, but he picked my mother... and then Meredith throws it back in my face. [ is just sort of... rambling, now. she doesn't usually let her mouth run away with her -- unless there's a witty remark or biting comment she can make -- and to go on in front of Fenris, of all people... but she doesn't even give it a second thought. ]