As simple a gesture as it is, it does bring some comfort, a reminder of the present, of whatever happens in the future. Merrin's hand in his is proof enough that for whatever loss he- they have experienced, they've managed to move forward, to gain other things.

You are not alone this time. A smile touches his own face at her words, at the lightsaber she sets in his hand, further reminder of the bonds he's forged and the choices he's made here.

"No, we're not," he nods. "Not here, and not back there." Back where they've come from. After the things Merrin's told him, he can be confident in knowing that there's things to look forward to whenever they go back.