Homecoming
Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 2:05 pm
I do not know why I write these things. Perhaps for Xavien. Teia can can hear tales of Arakiel's deeds from near anyone. My deeds were more quiet.
For my deeds concerned life, not death. the life of the forest.
The wind brings with it the acrid bite of woodsmoke. Nina's Inn, a ruin now. I crush my writing tools to my chest as I remember the happy memories. Of Velyn coming this far, even though he was afraid, Of Dash telling us of her undercover work as a prostitute.....I laugh again at the image. I see Arakiel at his attempt to make eggs, which turned out crunchy. Oh, Sulak's Birthday! There is Tace trying to wear a dress to tempt Dain "Won't you try a little Nina Cake?" At Babras holding a scruff of wolf skin up to my baby Keriwen's chin "Look, Arien, She'll be beautiful!"
I write quickly, the hollow pit in my stomach filling up with the tears I will not let myself shed. I turn and see the lookout. My minds eye sees Varc'urn sharpening his blades, There lies my first love buried. And Arakiel standing upright and alert. The first time I cooked a meal for Arakiel was up on the lookout.
The firepit. Oh the family arguments that took place there! Ahleera and Arakiel shouting at each other as Alendir and I tried to find the middle way. Velyn offering to cut out a wagging tongue. We are family, the strongest ties bind us.
Walking north, I pass the now empty fang pen. I see Dain and Babras goofing around with Speedy. I look down through the years and catch the eye of a young Arakiel, watching me pet the fang. That was one of the first times he met mey eyes........
Again the smell of woodsmoke, softer now. Mellowed by weather. The house on the Hill. My mentor Mother Manara lived here. In Manara's garden I was married to Arakiel by dwarven ceremony. Bital, Bital my dear friend. Arakiel, so insistent that we not bond, for he saw a short life for himself.
Manara was killed in that garden, her own garden, by the drow she had felt sympathy for. Never feel for them. Tis a trap, an act!
Shock, upon finding the house mine. Arakiel, human born, city raised was glad of it. Many nights I slept in the garden. After the twins came, after Teia and Xavien, we lived like a human family. Warm in our love for one another. And then......the crisis.....
Arakiel's death.
The twins needed security so they dwelt in the house. A year slips past. Two. A friend from Shadowdale comes to me begging help....leaving the twins in the care of Nina I go.
There I meet Velyn. Quiet as twilight. In pain as I am. We talk quietly, showing each other the hurts we carry. We begin to love, at first slowly, then fiercely. With treppedation he decides to come to Daggerdale. Such danger, so near the shades.
We make it. The children take to him immediately, and joy of joy of joy's he takes to them. Happy afternoons watching bow practice slip by like beads on a necklade.
Then, the begining of the end......
The house on the hill burns down, an accident, no more. The twins find refuge in a cave near the grove. Velyn and I in a cave near by.
Then the Shadows
Their Plots
Their Killings
Their Spyings
The Zhentarim
Their Suspiscions
Their War
Their Cuttings
The mighty Ironstars
Gone
Destroyed
Beholderkin
Daggersprings overrun, humans taken to Hadreths Glen for safety. Double agents, dirty deals, the children attacked in the very grove, Velyn missing. We need a place of safety we need..........
The Forest.
Going deeper now, into this forest I have always loved. This forest with its mysteries and secrets. A safe place has been found for the children. Crunching pine needles underfoot, I stop at twilight with my hand on a tree. Behind me I can smell the burned Inn, sharp and acrid. Before me, I can smell green growning things. I smell life, I smell promise. With a moan of longing only my tenderest lover has ever herard, I push on, and let the forest close behind me.
Behind Arien
For my deeds concerned life, not death. the life of the forest.
The wind brings with it the acrid bite of woodsmoke. Nina's Inn, a ruin now. I crush my writing tools to my chest as I remember the happy memories. Of Velyn coming this far, even though he was afraid, Of Dash telling us of her undercover work as a prostitute.....I laugh again at the image. I see Arakiel at his attempt to make eggs, which turned out crunchy. Oh, Sulak's Birthday! There is Tace trying to wear a dress to tempt Dain "Won't you try a little Nina Cake?" At Babras holding a scruff of wolf skin up to my baby Keriwen's chin "Look, Arien, She'll be beautiful!"
I write quickly, the hollow pit in my stomach filling up with the tears I will not let myself shed. I turn and see the lookout. My minds eye sees Varc'urn sharpening his blades, There lies my first love buried. And Arakiel standing upright and alert. The first time I cooked a meal for Arakiel was up on the lookout.
The firepit. Oh the family arguments that took place there! Ahleera and Arakiel shouting at each other as Alendir and I tried to find the middle way. Velyn offering to cut out a wagging tongue. We are family, the strongest ties bind us.
Walking north, I pass the now empty fang pen. I see Dain and Babras goofing around with Speedy. I look down through the years and catch the eye of a young Arakiel, watching me pet the fang. That was one of the first times he met mey eyes........
Again the smell of woodsmoke, softer now. Mellowed by weather. The house on the Hill. My mentor Mother Manara lived here. In Manara's garden I was married to Arakiel by dwarven ceremony. Bital, Bital my dear friend. Arakiel, so insistent that we not bond, for he saw a short life for himself.
Manara was killed in that garden, her own garden, by the drow she had felt sympathy for. Never feel for them. Tis a trap, an act!
Shock, upon finding the house mine. Arakiel, human born, city raised was glad of it. Many nights I slept in the garden. After the twins came, after Teia and Xavien, we lived like a human family. Warm in our love for one another. And then......the crisis.....
Arakiel's death.
The twins needed security so they dwelt in the house. A year slips past. Two. A friend from Shadowdale comes to me begging help....leaving the twins in the care of Nina I go.
There I meet Velyn. Quiet as twilight. In pain as I am. We talk quietly, showing each other the hurts we carry. We begin to love, at first slowly, then fiercely. With treppedation he decides to come to Daggerdale. Such danger, so near the shades.
We make it. The children take to him immediately, and joy of joy of joy's he takes to them. Happy afternoons watching bow practice slip by like beads on a necklade.
Then, the begining of the end......
The house on the hill burns down, an accident, no more. The twins find refuge in a cave near the grove. Velyn and I in a cave near by.
Then the Shadows
Their Plots
Their Killings
Their Spyings
The Zhentarim
Their Suspiscions
Their War
Their Cuttings
The mighty Ironstars
Gone
Destroyed
Beholderkin
Daggersprings overrun, humans taken to Hadreths Glen for safety. Double agents, dirty deals, the children attacked in the very grove, Velyn missing. We need a place of safety we need..........
The Forest.
Going deeper now, into this forest I have always loved. This forest with its mysteries and secrets. A safe place has been found for the children. Crunching pine needles underfoot, I stop at twilight with my hand on a tree. Behind me I can smell the burned Inn, sharp and acrid. Before me, I can smell green growning things. I smell life, I smell promise. With a moan of longing only my tenderest lover has ever herard, I push on, and let the forest close behind me.
Behind Arien
