mercy's failure to protect her brother and later, her mother, affected her deeply. for a time, she would have given anything to trade places with them and give them another chance at life. eventually, though, she realized that refusing to live her life would not bring them back. she found love and comfort, and in the end, when many say she lost everything to stand up for the mages, those who were close to her say her escape with her soulmate gave her the solace she always wanted.