Welcome H O M E

[Laurë Eledhwen]

Laurë could barely believe it; after three years of travelling, there she was, back to Minas Tirith, back to the town that had once been her home, but not at the same time. She was to meet up with her friends again, with her family. She was still obviously sad over the loss of Deonvan, thus getting her scared to have anyone else close to her, for they all ended up dead. It even had her to question herself about returning to this town, or simply living to start a new life somewhere else. However, she knew that she couldn’t simply leave; she had promised everyone to keep them in touch with what was happening to her and she would never break any.

She had changed a bit, from the last time she was in this town, her hair had grown up and her face matured up into the one of a beautiful young woman. She would have liked to know where Sorsha was living, but she had never seen that butcher’s son of hers, therefore, there were more than one butcher in town, she had no clues of where her friend was living at the moment. She wanted to give some time to Keann and Arien, even if they were probably both working at the moment and she also wanted some time for herself, to catch up with her friend.

It was rather early in the morning, and she was holding the letter that her friend had written to her. She had given birth to her first kid. Was it a boy or a girl? She wondered; she was happy for her still though, hopefully she wasn’t to bring her bad luck. She glanced around for a guard, most precisely either for Rabryn or Aldamir. She had known by now that Aldamir was a captain, surely it wouldn’t be hard to find right? Besides, it would give her the chance to tease him a little just like in old days. A small smirk appeared onto her lips, a man with no hair would surely not be hard to find now would it? She wandered around the town when she recognized a familiar figure flirting with a bunch of women, Rabryn. He surely hadn’t changed from the last time she had talked to him, she was almost curious at about how one woman managed to deal with him being like this.

She approached to him, listening to what he had to tell to the women until she spoke. “You can’t get rid of such a bad habit of yours now can you?” She questioned loud enough for him to hear. She was still wearing the same hood as before, but pulled it down to reveal herself to him. Yup, she was back home.

[Aldamir]

Rabryn was patrolling near the gates. He knew his look had enough to impress the ladies. And he always was a smooth talker. He wasn’t flirting per se, but he was charming to them. They had asked him a few questions about where to find one shop, if it was nice to be a guard, if he fought a lot. He knew where they were going there but he figured as long as it was just talking, it couldn’t hurt. As of late, he had been faithful to her, he even promised not to make her cry again with that. She was a strong woman, suffering in silence and he never believed he could have hurt her that much.

He heard a voice in his back that made him stop laughing and same for the ladies who were a bit irritated their little game was cut short that way. Rabryn didn’t recognize her voice, it had been three years after all. He turned to see who had been talking, thinking that perhaps it was one of Melusine’s friend, one of those who believed she didn’t pick a good man.

He didn’t recognize her at first. The hood seemed vaguely familiar, the traits reminded him of someone. He narrowed his eyes as he looked in his memory. He had no way of thinking it was Laurë considering that for everyone she was still in Lossarnach mourning the loss of her lover. But slowly, even if his mind kept telling him it was impossible, he realized it was indeed Laurë. His eyes widened in surprise before he bent over to hug her small silhouette.

“Laurë, but what I nice surprise. We had no idea you were coming back to town. When did you arrive?” he asked once the shock gone. There was no doubt about it, she was there, standing in front of him. He frowned lightly. “Sorsha told us for your lover. I’m really sorry.” he added on a more serious note, wanting to give her his condolences as soon as possible so they could talk of nicer things.

[Laurë Eledhwen]

Laurë smiled as he seemed not to believe that she was talking to him at the right moment. It was true that she told Sorsha not to tell to any of them that she was to be back, to surprise them even if she had been mourning the loss of her past love for the time she had been travelling. It was only as he approached her to hug her, that she realized how truly big he was, at least compared to her. She looked so little, and could feel the glares of the other women who obviously didn’t like the fact that she interrupted them into flirting with Rabryn. Not that they wouldn’t lose anyway; he was being faithful for one woman only and she was happy to hear of it.

She gave him a small smile and nodded at him. “I told Sorsha not to tell you, it was a surprise.” She said softly as she looked up at him. “I arrived this morning, but I don’t know where my friend lives, for there is more than one butcher around, do you know where I could find her?” She asked him until he gave her his condolences for the lost of Deonvan. “Thank you.” She added.

Even if she didn’t like to talk about the loss of the people who were dear to her, she knew that she would have to face them, but for now, she wanted to try to enjoy her own return as much as she could, to see how Sorsha was doing and what was the gender of her child, if it looked like her or the butcher of hers. Speaking of, she would get to see the man too perhaps, she was rather eager to meet up with her again, knowing that she would probably meet with the rest of the family later. She wrapped her arms around herself as she waited for Rabryn to either come with her or to indicate her the way to Sorsha’s new house.

[Aldamir]

Rabryn could see his sister’s plan in there, not to tell them. It was very much like her, especially if Laurë asked her not to tell them. It was quite a surprise to say the least because from what she had been telling them in her letters, what Sorsha was telling them of course, she didn’t seem ready to return just yet. She wanted to explore the world. In the end she didn’t go very far but if that was the distance she needed to find out who she was, well it was fine with him.

She explained she had just arrived and Rabryn was happy he managed to catch her, or more that she caught him. Like this he could bring her to his sister. “Well, her husband is working right now, but she’s at our home. She spends a lot of time with our mother. I suppose they’re exchanging mother tips or something. She delivered her baby two days ago, a little boy.” he explained. If she had just arrived, surely she didn’t know that part.

“Let me walk you back to our place. You’ll be able to see Aldamir. He’s still on light duty from his wound, so he works less. Did Sorsha told you about that? He’s scary bald.” he said as he walked with her to his family home. He was eager to hear from her but he was still on duty. In the same time though, it wouldn’t be the first time he would be caught slacking. He wasn’t taking his job as seriously as his brother. But he wouldn’t stay, he had work to do and he could still from her later, he supposed. “You’re here for good?” he asked as they arrived at the house.

He knocked and opened. “Guess who’s here.” he said as he let Laurë in. Aldamir was holding his nephew and so it gave Sorsha the opportunity to jump and run to her to hug her as well and fast as her belly could allow her to do such things. Aldamir raised his head to see the newcomer while Rabryn said goodbye to everyone and returned to his work. His eyes had widened out in surprise that she was back. He thought he would hear of her only through his sister’s letters now and he wasn’t that sad about this. But here she was standing in front of him.

“Come, come see my baby!” Sorsha exclaimed as she dragged Laurë in to the couch where Aldamir was sitting, holding the little boy. “I named him Theodoric.” she said as she took her baby from her brother’s hands. She cooed a bit and kissed the top of his nose. “Isn’t he the cutest? Jenssen says he looks like me in every way but he definitely got his eyes.” she said, rocking her newborn child. “How long have you been here?” Aldamir finally asked on a soft tone, still trying to get over the surprise.

[Laurë Eledhwen]

Laurë smiled as Rabryn talked of Sorsha’s husband; she wanted to know more about him, but she knew that she would get to meet him in the right time. She was at home? How lovely, she would get to meet up again with mostly everyone. She was wondering about if Aldamir was working or not, still Sorsha had told her about what happened to him. She couldn’t hide the surprise and hoped that he was fine even if he used to get onto her nerves most of the time. Maybe he had changed ever since that day, who knows.

Her face lit up slightly as she mentioned the kid was a boy, eager to find out how he looked like. “A boy? Wonderful, he’ll be as strong as his mother is.” She said happily. Surely, he would be the most adorable child she had seen in the history, or at least, she was hoping for it. She knew that he would be the first child of a long trail, who knows, maybe she’d be the godmother of a few, she would surely agree to if it was the case.

She looked back at Rabryn as he talked about Aldamir. “Yes she had, is it that shocking? I have seen a few kids having shaved hair from illness, but I never thought that something like that would happen to Aldamir.” She admitted before smiling at him and nodding. “For good.” She assured him. It was funny how they seemed to be carrying enough to want her to stay like that, even if most of the time she was to bring bad luck or so it seemed to be.

She couldn’t hide her excitement however as Rabryn knocked on the door and opened it, introducing her back to the same family who had greeted her three years ago. She revealed herself and soon was attacked by her friend’s hug, thus getting her to laugh lightly. “I missed you my dear friend.” She said with a grin she couldn’t question her more about her life that she was already dragging her onto the couch, next to Aldamir-which was quite a surprise to see him like that indeed. She gave him a small smile as she looked at the kid who was rather adorable she had to admit. “Still planning to have 50 kids?” She asked jokingly remembering the letter as she looked at her before Aldamir questioned her. “I arrived this morning.” She said as she placed her hands onto her knees, them clenching onto the skirt of her dress lightly.

[Aldamir]

Rabryn told her a bit about his nephew b the figured that since she was about to see him, she might as well make her own opinion of the little baby. He laughed though as she said he would be as strong as his mother. Sorsha sure was a feisty one. Personally, he’d prefer the boy to be like his father, mostly because like this he would be quiet and calm, but in the same time he wished him to be like Sorsha, only so she could endure what they did in her youth. Whoever that child was to become, he knew he’d be a good one. How could it not be with such parents?

She talked of Aldamir too. “It’s incredible how no hair can change a face. He’s got a lot of headaches. They said it was because the blood pumping to his brain was hitting his temple and so it caused them. He’s got a large scar on his head now, but we won’t see it anymore once his hair grows back. Unless he decides to go bald for the rest of his life.” he said trying to joke at the end. He had been scared for his brother too. He and their father were not allowed to go in the prison while they were there and they were warned not to try to retaliate. Still, Rabryn wished he could teach them a lesson for what they had done. He smiled when she said she was back for good, glad of it.

Sorsha laughed when she asked her about the kids. Aldamir frowned a bit but didn’t question, it was easy to understand what they were talking about. He found it weird to see her sitting next to him. He studied the lines of her face. She matured over the past three years. It wasn’t just her traits that were now finer, those of a woman and no longer a child. There was something in her eyes, a maturity and a sadness that made her look like a lady instead of the young brat he considered her when she left. “I’m sorry for your lover.” he said on a low tone. He sounded a big like a grumpy man trying to make an effort to be nice.

Sorsha then realized her friend was still mourning. “Oh it’s true, I’m sorry too. It must be awful for you. How are you handling this?” she said with a concerned frown appearing on her brow. She was still standing and rocking her baby who was sleeping nicely. “I can’t imagine if Jenssen was to die, or Theo, so I understand.” she said, pushing them all to a side so she can also be on the couch with them. They were a bit squeezed and Aldamir groaned slightly before standing up. “I should leave you two alone, let you catch up together.” he said. Sorsha frowned. “Where are you going? You know you’re not supposed to go out.” Aldamir sighed at how maternal his sister has now turned towards him. “I’ll lie down for a bit.” he simply said, going to the back of the house where his room was. “He hasn’t been very good lately. I told you Ellandhra married someone else. Well, she came to see him while he was at the hospital. I saw her leave the room when I went to see him. I don’t know what she told him, but he’s been keeping things inside even more, if that’s possible.” she whispered to Laurë’s ear.

[Laurë Eledhwen]

Laurë smiled, glad that Rabryn hadn’t changed one bit ever since they had met three years ago. She liked talking to him; even if he was a flirt some times, he had stopped hitting on her, after the first time the met. She was happy for his girlfriend that he was being faithful to her, or at least, from the last news that Sorsha had told her that is. She wasn’t bothered by who the boy would look more, but she knew that he’d be as strong as her friend, maybe not as feisty, but then again, he’ll end up being a charming kid, that’s for sure.

She also nodded at his words as he spoke of Aldamir, obviously, it was because of the blood, with the intense teaching she had received from her mentor, she now knew most of the things a healer could know, and the tricks to heal people faster, the best ways to make them feel better. If Aldamir was ever to need assistance, she would offer to him, even if he’d still be grumpy-she guessed she couldn’t change that part of his personality, sadly. He could be nice if he wasn’t that way, but who knows, maybe that woman he had been with changed him slightly, she was curious to see.

She smiled at Sorsha as she got the joke about her kids, surely she would be the only one to understand; she noticed Aldamir’s expression and restrained herself to tease him about it. Observing the baby, there were no doubts that he had some features of Sorsha, for Jenssen, she couldn’t tell yet for she had never seen him before, or maybe she had but she never knew that he was having an eye on Sorsha. Then again, she might just have not noticed him three years ago.

However, she was surprised as Aldamir spoke to her, telling her that he was sorry for her loss, she gave him a small smile; it always hurt in her throat when someone was bringing it up, she took a moment before nodding. “Thank you.” She responded considering that he was making somewhat of an effort to be more sociable. She looked at her friend as she also apologized. “I’m fine for now.” She replied softly fixing her hands for a few moments before raising her gaze back to her friend. Aldamir stood up, getting Laurë to look at him curiously, he didn’t seem to be in a good shape either, maybe she would have a chat with him later, just to try and see what was wrong. She glanced back at Sorsha as she whispered to her and arched an eyebrow. It seemed to be quite a complicated relationship he was having with the woman there. “If he continues that way, some day he’s gonna explode and it won’t be pretty.” She pointed out looking back to where Aldamir had left to.

[Aldamir]

Sorsha could feel the awkwardness that took them all after the condolences spoken. She would have liked to talk of her favourite subject, meaning the two men in her life but she feared talking of her loved one with starry eyes might remind her friend of her lost one and she didn’t want to cause more pain to her. Her brother, although a sad matter, gave them the best topic they could get with his case. Still, Sorsha kept looking at her friend, ready to take her in her arms and comfort her should she flinch at some point. She had little time to mourn him after all and there was a limit to how strong one could be. She always considered her father and brothers as very strong men but she still recalled her father crying and praying when they feared for Balder’s life. Everyone had a soft spot, something that made them vulnerable.

She nodded at what her friend said about her brother and gave a sorry look towards his bedroom. She was a bit worried about him too. “She even had the nerve to come wear the brooch he bought her, can you imagine! I mean, after such a pricy and beautiful gift, she leaves for another man and still wears his token of affection? I don’t know what there is between the two but I found it improper, no?”

If she wanted to add something, Theodoric decided to bring the attention back to him as he cried. She rocked him some more. “He needs to be fed, give me a moment.” she said before standing up. As much as she considered it a natural act, she didn’t want to go bare chest in front of her friend so that her baby can eat. She returned a few minutes later. “Sometimes, I find him so tiny and at others, I can’t believe I was able to get this out of me.” she said as she sat back next to Laurë. “I never thought I’d have a child this soon in my life or that it would change me like that.” she said out loud, her eyes looking tenderly at her son. She then returned to stare at her friend. “Are you back for good?” she asked, hoping she’d see more of her. “You have to come with me this evening to see Jenssen and our home. I’m sure you’ll like him.”

[Laurë Eledhwen]

Laurë frowned as Sorsha pointed out that she even came with the gift that Aldamir had bought especially for her for her birthday. That would most likely hurt, there were no doubts. She was sorry for him to have to indure such an emotional pain for they were almost suffering the same loss, hers being gone out of her life because of death, his because of an arranged wedding. However, she knew better that if she was ever to bring the subject up to him, he’d most likely throw a fit at her like he used to do before. She found it improper too, she nodded looking thoughtful wondering about what kind of psychological injuries he was inflicting to himself. It was sad, really.

“I don’t believe it’s proper either, but their relationship might be much more complicated than what they show, who knows, maybe the woman still loved him but was forced into a wedding? ” She theorized, at least Sorsha was having a happy life and starting to build herself a family with her husband Jenssen. “But you know how he is, the quiet type, he never liked to have someone meddling into his business, he’ll throw a fit at us. For now, I’ll respect his choice until he aggravates his states. ” She said until the baby started crying, she nodded at Sorsha as she told her that she was going to feed the baby. For the time her friend was feeding Theodoric, Laurë got lost into her thoughts, thinking about her own loss, it took her al the wills to fight against her tears, but luckily, she managed to hold these all back.

She smiled at her friend as she came back. “I have actually learned a few things about giving birth, but I think I’ll prefer to heal people and kids mainly. ” She explained. She laughed as she talked about her child and grinned. “You know, life can be surprising, for example me coming back sooner than I thought. ” she pointed out. She answered with a nod as Sorsha asked her about if she would stay there for good. “Rabryn asked me the same question but yes, for now, I’m staying for good. ”

“You indeed will have to present him to me, I have no doubts about the fact that I’ll like him.” She confirmed.

[Aldamir]

Sorsha nodded as she understood what her friend meant about her brother. “But you, it was hard to see just how much they loved each other. They are both very detached over their feelings so they didn’t seem very much in love to us. It was kind of...cold. I don’t think it was the best for him, I mean he’s already the type not to talk or show his feelings, he’d need someone who can show him how to do it and express himself. With her, he’d just get more closed up.” she replied. Maybe it was just the fact she had antipathy for Ellandhra but she never thought she was the right one for him. He needed someone happier, someone that could show him he could relax and still be a good person and a great guard. She doubted Ellandhra could have taught him that lesson.

“You know, the day after the injury, he wanted to go back to work. He then felt dizzy and lost consciousness for a while. He spent three days at the hospital after that. He’s on light duty until the end of the month and if it’s good for his head, it isn’t for his mind. He’s like a lion in a cage, he wants to go out but he knows he has to take care. And everyone keeps looking at his bald head and the scar on his temple. You can’t see the one on his ear unless you really look at it, but the one on his temple...” she said before shuddering at the memory of the attack and all the blood he lost. “He felt awful that I was the one who saw him like that, because of the baby and all. He said I really didn’t need that at the moment. What kind of person worries over his sister when he got attacked and nearly died?” she let out.

Her smile returned though as they turned the conversation towards Laurë instead. “That’s great, so when I’ll have my second child, you’ll deliver it?” she said a bit jokingly. She wasn’t planning to have another right now, maybe in a year or two. And in a way she wasn’t certain she wanted her friend to see this part of her anatomy. She grinned when she said she was back for good. “That’s great! Things haven’t changed so much since you left, except for your past employer who moved closer to your cousin’s shop, but I’m sure you know all that. And wait when you’ll meet jenssen. He asked a lot about you, you know, he wanted to know who you were since I seemed to like you that much. He’ll be pleased to put a face on the name.”

[Laurë Eledhwen]

Laurë agreed however, at Sorsha's words, knowing that he needed someone who completed him, not someone like him. She had heard often that you needed a complement to your personality but also she heard often that people that are alike, meddle well together. On Aldamir's case, the opposite will work better than if he was with someone like him, for he would only close up more to people, without knowing what relaxing truly meant. Sure, at the moment she wasn't taking her time to relax, but she had her good reasons; whenever she was alone, she would always think of her lover who died for her. She needed to keep her mind distracted and focus on other things if she didn't wanted to be alone and lonely.

"As I said, he will have to learn that sometimes, relaxing can help, he learned it the tough way by fainting, who knows, maybe he'll settle down over work a bit." she answered to Sorsha's statement about Ellandhra. "Was she really that bad?" She asked jokingly having the feeling that Sorsha didn't like much; the letters didn't help the matters that's for sure.

Laurë laughed lightly as she already talked about a second child. "Only if you insist, giving birth to kids isn't my favourite thing to do actually." she admitted. "But for you, I could make an effort." she said teasingly nudging her friend. She nodded as she told her the few changes that had happened while she was gone, she was already aware of Arien moving near to Keann's house since they both had been sending her letters. "Of course I know, they both have been writing to me when I was gone." she said with a grin. "I'm quite eager to find out who is that mysterious husband of yours as well." She smiled softly at her friend, secretly wishing that her own man was still alive.

[Aldamir]

Sorsha nodded about her statement on her brother. Yes, he needed to relax, to delegate a bit. No one was perfect and if he kept it that way, he would only end up a bitter man, disappointed of his life and full of regrets. And she liked her brother too much to wish this to happen or let it happen. She had a smile at the corner of her lips when she joked over Ellandhra. “I told you, she doesn’t like me. I’m a meddler, I’m always in the way and I say silly things. But she was really beautiful and she had class, I guess.” she replied with a shrug. She had to find a few good traits, after all her brother loved her.

She chuckled as they changed the topic to kids, hers and her husband. She grinned. “We can now, he’s at his stall, but he prefers I stay home and take care of Theo. He’s kind of overprotective on the two of us, and after what happened to Aldamir, he prefers I don’t go to the market unaccompanied and if I really want to go, not to bring Theo. So you will have to wait until he finishes if you don’t want me to be scolded.” she said with a little smile. She knew it could sound as if he was locking her in a cage so he’d be the only one to have her but she knew him and how he could worry over her. She just had to remind him from time to time that she was tougher than she looked. “I’m still not quite used to the whole carcass thing. I mean, he gut, bleed, skin and cut the beasts with his father and it’s a bit too much for me. A good thing I don’t see the animals otherwise I think I’ll cut the meat from my diet forever.” she added.

[Laurë Eledhwen]

Laurë knew that Sorsha cared about her brother so much; maybe she could go and have a little chat with him to see how he was doing. She nodded remembering Sorsha told her about Ellandhra, the woman seemed to be e feisty one, or more like, the female version of Aldamir. The thought was rather a silly one but she kept it to herself- she wasn’t one to judge, after all, she had never met the woman before so she couldn’t have a correct opinion on her.

She smiled and laughed lightly as Sorsha talked about her husband. “I agree, I wouldn’t want you to go there either, I don’t know how butchers do to keep it sane dealing with dead animals, I think I would turn into a vegetarian if I was to do the job.” She said agreeing with her friend. She had seen enough deaths around to know what she was talking about, seeing animals getting killed would only have her to feel worse. She then stood up and looked at her friend. “Do you mind if I go check on Aldamir, just to see if he needs medical assistance? Maybe his head is killing him right now; I have the right medicines to give him if it’s the case.” She stated. She wanted to know how he was feeling, how he was dealing with it all. Sure he was a grumpy man, but that didn’t mean she would stop nagging him to loosen up. Plus, it would give her a good excuse to forget about her loss.

[Aldamir]

Sorsha was happy to see her friend back. Letters were good, but it was good to see face to face as well. She smiled at her friends, thinking about all the things that had happened to her she would have liked her to be there. When Jenssen finally admitted his feelings for her, Aldamir’s new girl, when Balder left the house, her marriage, when she found out she was pregnant and all that time until she delivered, Aldamir’s attack... all things she talked to her about. But words couldn’t express the feelings of the moment. The hated she had feeling lowered by Ellandhra or the euphoria as she walked down the aisle to her future husband, forcing herself not to run there, or the dread that took her when she saw Aldamir bleeding. She would have liked her friend to be there when she gave birth. It hurt so much and took hours. Her husband had been there for a while but after it had been her mother and his. She would have liked Laurë to have been there, and held her hand.

“I know, right. And sometimes, it creeps me to know those hands who caress me had just been skinning a pork a few hours ago. I don’t think I’ll be able to give him a hand like his mother does. But he says it’s fine. Anyway, I’ve got more than enough work at home. Blood isn’t the easiest to wash off.” she said. She bet her friend knew that, a few patients of hers must have bled on her and who knows what else she might have touched. Her mother also understood. As guards, they were less bloody than soldiers but they weren’t spared.

Laurë asked if she might go see Aldamir. Sorsha nodded and pointed the corridor with her chin. “I don’t know how he’ll greet you, but if you don’t mind his rudeness... it’s the last door to your left.” she explained thinking she’d let her do her visit and have a chat with him and during that time, she’ll take care of her baby boy. Aldamir had not be lying down, he was sitting on his bed, waiting for them to be done talking, guessing they’d leave to Sorsha’s new home afterwards so he could go back to the living room. He knew they’d probably have a lot to catch up on. So until he’d see them walk through his window, he was reading a book to pass time.

[Laurë Eledhwen]

Laurë gave a playful smile at Sorsha as she spoke of her brother. “I’m used to it by now.” She mused jokingly, remembering back them, how he seemed not to stand her for reasons that escaped her, not that she cared anymore, but she was ready to give him a second chance to make a new first impression on her. She walked down the corridor and followed Sorsha’s directions, surely it wouldn’t be hard to find his door, which she did, in no time, it was closed and she paused for a few moments, before knocking on the door three times softly, thinking that she might disturb him if she was to be louder.

“Aldamir?” she questioned just as softly. “How are you doing?” She asked opening the door slowly as if she feared to have his wrath faster than she thought. Maybe he was sleeping, who knows, or maybe he truly wanted to be alone but first, she wanted to make sure that he was fine. Having learnt about the job of a healer, there were no ways she was going to leave him alone until his physical pain was gone.