Merlin nodded, trying to respect her privacy, but he felt he needed to speak, even if she resented him sticking his nose in.
"We all make decisions on what we need to do to survive," he said, trying to pick his words carefully. He kept his tone low and calm as he poured Marian a new drink. "Sometimes we don't like it, but what are the alternatives? You are caught trying to choose the lesser of two evils. I do not judge you for that."