Four Days Late

The day that the men were due to arrive home Narisa waited by the window for Calaren to come riding up towards their house. The day after Narisa continued to sit by the window, telling herself that they were just a day late and that nothing was the matter. The third day, Narisa paced back and forth at her grandmother’s house until her grandmother complained that she was going to wear a hole into the rug. Now, Narisa was almost beside herself with worry. Calaren, Beren, and her grandfather were four days late in returning! Something had happened…she was sure of it at this point. Those Northmen had harmed or captured them and Narisa was going to get her husband back! Narisa grabbed her bow and slung her quiver across her back. She also grabbed two long daggers and secured those in her belt before walking up to her grandmother’s estate. Walking inside she spotted Ithilwen sitting with her grandmother in the living room. As she approached them she could see worry in Ithilwen’s eyes.

“I am going to go out and find them. I cannot sit around here any longer just waiting.”

Serethiel closed her eyes shut tightly in irritation when Narisa barged in armed and ready. Ithilwen looked up confused from the table and her handkerchief was damp from her tears. “Sit down Narisa, I will make us some tea,” she said and gestured. When narisa seemed confused as well Serethiel’s face became as hard as stone and she pointed down at the empty chair next to her. She turned her back to finish making the tea on the counter and Ithilwen took Narisa’s hand in hers when she sat down. “Beren’s hurt...I know that much,” she said and fought once more to hold her tears at bay. “I don’t know more then that, only his pain...I can feel it in thine own heart,” she said. “Oh do shut up Ithilwen,” Serethiel scolded as she set down two cups of tea. They steamed and smelled of herbs and lemon. And then Serethiel sat down. When the two women only looked at her Serethiel gave them back a withering look. “Drink!” she demanded. After they did so her expression changed and she appeared to calm a bit.

“Nauriel has said that on their return they were attacked by raiders. They aren’t far but they were obviously attacked as a draw to get up to open the gates and take a force out there to help. These raiders have gotten clever,” she said with  an expression of  contempt on her face. “Beren has told her that they are all wounded,” she said and then she too hold of Narisa’s other hand. “Conleth has told him to relay the message...not to open the gate or to send men to help them,” she said in a softer tone as if she didn’t believe his words herself. “He has...a plan,” she said and then looked at both women uncertainly.

Narisa opened her mouth to argue with her grandmother, but shut her mouth quickly when she saw her grandmother's hard look. She immediately sat down next to Ithilwen as her grandmother went to make tea. Narisa really didn't want any, but she knew there would be little choice in the matter. When Ithilwen told her that Beren was hurt she felt a twinge of fear in her heart. What about Calaren? Was he alright? Before she could ask her grandmother came out with two cups of tea and placed them in front of Ithilwen and herself. Narisa hesitated, but quickly picked up the cup after her grandmother's demand that they drink. She had picked up her cup so quickly that she had spilled a little into the saucer and on the table. As she put her cup back down her grandmother began to speak and she learned that it wasn't Northmen that were the cause of their delay, but raiders. Learning that Calaren was indeed wounded brought tears to Narisa's eyes. She wanted to go to him immediately, but she knew that they could not open the gates and allow the raiders to get inside. Narisa, unable to sit any longer, stood up and began to pace like a caged animal.

"What's the plan?"

Calaren winced as he hobbled over with the waterskin. Beren was on his bedroll and several pieces of bloodied cloth were in the grass near them. There was only 1 cart now, four men and 6 horses. Conleth was at the back of Calaren’s red and was checking his right leg. The cart driver was named Garland Jashoun. His wife was Carla Jashoun and she had just given birth to twins, 2 girls. Serethiel had helped deliver them herself and he sat now on the ground by a cart wheel. He had long, dark hair tied back with a cord, dark eyes and thick eyebrows. His face was pale and he held a very worried look in his eyes. His front of covered in old, dried, brown blood and also not so old. He winced when he lifted his water skin and took a drink and he watched Calaren tending Beren.

“So i guess this means I’ll finally have a scar?” Beren asked with a pained grin. “Ithilwen will be pleased.” It was a joke, he rarely was serious but Calaren couldn’t partake in his mirth right then. His hip ached something fierce and he himself had an arrow wound in both his front and his back that he had had to pull out. He had been lucky though, it hadn’t hit an organ. It must have scratched a bone though. It was agony to walk or bend as he was doing now. In the back of the cart were four other men, Karl Reston, Tomas Dressel, Yearion Stanwick and Orell Conly. There were two others but they had rode off during the fighting and Conleth could not risk going to look for their corpses if they had been killed. He only assumed so when they nor their horses hadn’t returned. Beren took a sword across his middle and only his leather jacket saved his life. Calaren had stitched it up but it was not in a good spot for moving. “Your not riding out of here Beren, its the cart for you I fear,” he said and winced again when he shifted to set another bandage on the wound. “I used cat cut for the stitching so they’ll flex...some,” he said as he wiped away the blood then began to set on a clean, white bandage.

Beren’s snowy, white stallion stood freely by the cart and grazed lazily on the soft, green grasses that were now preparing for the frosts that were going to come soon. Conleth’s tall black with his green barding stomped his front foot with impatience. He appeared not to sustained any injury like Beren’s white but Calaren’s red had not fared so well. Conleth straightened and then walked over to get a drink himself. “Fireheart is done, son,” he said plainly as he uncorked the skin then tilted his head back to drink heavily from it. Water spilled over the sides of his mouth before he stopped and recorked it. ‘Calaren had already known that but to hear it from Conleth made him look back at his friend and feel as if the arrow had hit him in the chest instead of his side.

The raiders had not attacked them for their horses as they initially believed, they were after Conleth. His black had marked him out and they had focused on him...unfortunately for them. The leather and plate barding and Conleth’s Green armor protected him from their handmade arrows. Not completely but Conleth had only taken one arrow that had made it in between two plates near his neck. The raiders were after a ransom, that much was clear now. Not a typical tactic for them to be sure but a good one. Not so good though if he were killed but that arrow was probably a mistake they agreed.

---------------------

“They are going to split up. It appears that the raiders are after Conleth...most likely to hold him up for a ransom,” she said calmly. Though she didn’t feel so calm inside. Her stomach was in knots. “Conleth would separate from the others and they are relatively certain he will draw the bulk of their force. The cart, horses, Beren and Calaren would ride straight here and try for the east gate,” she said and took a sip of tea or else she felt she might begin to cry. That would not do right now she knew. Both Narisa and Ithilwen needed her to be strong for them and she would be. “We will triple the guard on the walls and have our best archers stationed there,” Serethiel said and her eyes nearly glowed with a dangerous light. If Conleth was killed she’d hunt each and every last one of them like dogs!

Narisa continued to pace with nervous anxiety. She could tell that her grandmother was trying to be strong for both herself and Ithilwen, but she could tell that she was on the verge of breaking down into tears. She knew that it must be hard for her grandmother to know that her husband was the ultimate target and there was little she could do to help him. Slowly, she stopped pacing and she walked back over to her and put a hand upon her shoulder.

"I will be there with my bow and I will do whatever it takes to ensure they all come home safely."

It was the waiting that was the worst. Beren communicated with Ithilwen. Instead of risking losing Conleth, the raiders collected in packs here and there outside of the village. Some were visible, men and women and horses huddled together with campfires that burned constantly. Others Serethiel and Ithilwen could see either through the trees or just barely past the lay of the hilly ground. So many were scouts and they each had oil braziers to light arrows once they spotted them. She pointed them out to Narisa and just about every arrow that existed in the village was laid out in bundles along the wall. Serethiel looked over and saw Narisa looking out east over the horizon and came up behind her.

“What will be will be Narisa, I know you are worried for your Calaren as I am for my Conleth,” she said in a soft tone so others could not here. “But worry will not help your aim nor your judgement. Clear your mind and free your heart of such things and become one with your bow,” she whispered. Ithilwen had a bow as well but it was tall and thin, obviously of elven make. She was dressed in a kind of thin, plate armor with a quiver that bristled with arrows. She tossed one down to Narisa. “These are elven arrows Narisa, they will give you 50 to 100 paces more range,” she said confidently. For the first time since she had met her, ithilwen seemed much more...subdued. In her armor even her stance seemed as if she were a soldier and a man at that. “No one is taking my Beren,” she said plainly and her face grew hard when she spoke. She had a sword as well, its handle stood up from her back. As she looked out along the wall, there was barely a place not occupied by a man or a woman. Everyone, the whole village was here, including children who carried baskets of arrows and delivered them to the walls. All were here for Conleth, their Lord and Serethiel, their lady and their grim, determined faces were proof that they were prepared to fight and die if necessary to defend him.

A young girl came up to them suddenly but specifically to Narisa. She couldn't of been more than 10 she might think. Her long, blonde hair was in a single braid down her back and she wore a blue, ruffled skirt that hung down just below her knees and a white tunic. She had low, brown, leather boots and wore a leather cap...no, a helmet that was at least one size too big for her. She stopped before her and waited until she was noticed. She had very blue eyes and she looked afraid but still seemed determined to speak. 'La...lady Narwissa?" She said in a squeak. "I'm Magraine and I'm your megess...err messenger fer taday," she said awkwardly. Just down from the walls just beyond the catwalk were groups of horses that were tied together spaced here and there around the village. If anyone needed supplies or a horse or a message, the younger boys and girls would get it for them. When Narisa looked up at Serethiel, Serethiel raised an eyebrow. "I've made you the commander of the East Gate Watch," she said as if it was nothing at all. "well, you 'are' a Princess of Gondor, are you not?" She said with a grin.

Narisa was surprised by how quickly arrows were gathered and by the amount that was available. It appeared to be an almost never ending supply. While some looked to have never been used, there were some that appeared very well worn. However, they were still sharp and of good use. Narisa stood looking east and beyond the wall she could see the raiders through the trees. She knew that somewhere out there was her uncle Beren, grandfather, and Calaren. She couldn't imagine what she would do if she lost Calaren...she wasn't sure she would be able to go on without him. She tried to push these thoughts aside as she heard her grandmother walk up to stand beside her. Her grandmother seemed to know everything...even one's deepest thoughts and she listened quietly as she spoke. She nodded slowly in response and gave her a small smile, though worry remained in her eyes.

Looking over at her aunt, she was surprised by how she appeared in her armor. While she was an elven princess it was clear that she was also a warrior and that suddenly made Narisa like her even more. She eyed her tall bow, envying it's intricate detail. Her bow was without adornment, but served her well. She then spotted the arrows Ithilwen was using and could tell they were of elvish make. She was surprised when her aunt suddenly tossed a quiver of them down to her. She took one out and tested it and could tell it was going to fly farther and more accurately.

As she was strapping on her new quiver she looked over to suddenly see a young girl, of about 10 years, standing before her. She appeared somewhat nervous and told her that she was her messenger. Narisa blinked and looked over at her grandmother, surprised that she would have a messenger assigned to her...that is until her grandmother informed her that she had made her commander of the East Gate Watch. Narisa smiled a little at her.

"I won't let you down."

Serethiel moved and embraced her granddaughter and daughter in law once more before she stepped away along the catwalk toward the western gate. One hour turned into two and two into four and everyone seemed to settle back, eat, drink and continued to watch as the day drew on. Magraine brought them hot broth, bread and dried meat and fruit as they waited. Ithilwen had taken off her helmet and she let narisa examine it as they ate and talked.

“It was not so easy for me at first...to be around humans. But Beren…” she said as her eyes seemed to pick up all the available light. “His love was so strong I could not say no. I’ve never met such a loving man as he, in all things,” she said as if it were some mystical ability that he alone possessed. “His heart has opened my own and though I miss my family, the songs and the beautiful trees...this is my home...he is my home,” she said affectionately. “When he is unhappy or sad I feel as if a apart of my soul is dying. When he is happy i feel as if I could sing forever,” she said as she looked into Narisa’s eyes. She smiled thinking of him and then her eyes grew large and she stood up. “They...they are coming!” She said abruptly and stood up and looked toward the east. Not 5 seconds after, a flaming arrow shot up over to the west. As they unlimbered their bows and ran to the wall they saw the cart being pulled by two Neifbren and it was moving fast as it crashed over three raiders in its path. Calaren was on a large black horse that looked like her grandfather's horse and he shot his bow at two others who were riding at him from the North. Of his red nor Conleth there was no sign.

Right near the East Gate, by her orders a dozen men with shields, spears and horse bows were ready to dart out of the gate and provide cover for them but they had to get closer and there were raiders in their path. To the west, she had to shield her eyes from the sun to see, more arrows shot up into the air as suddenly another horse crashed out of the treeline. Its rider was dressed in green scaled armor and he was riding one of the Neifbren, a large, dark brown horse with a white mane and tail. It had on the green barding that had been on Conleth’s black and like a hammer it crashed through one of the raider camps and sent men and women flying if they hadn’t been trampled or gotten out of the way. “Come on! Come on!” The villagers cried out at Conleth. But then Ithilwen said something  that made no sense. “I didn’t know Conleth could use a bow!” She said as she watched the scene of the rider fending off raiders who tried to come around behind the cart.

OOC-I'm sensing that this rider may not be Conleth but a raider in disguise as him trying to get inside the gates...is this correct?

ooc-No, it is actually Conleth on his black. Calaren is actually in the green armor posing as Conleth to draw the raiders away form the cart. Besides, who else but Calaren could tame such a horse in such a short time and wounded to boot.

Narisa impatiently waited for the battle to begin. However, as the hours slowly ticked by she settled down with the others, though she was too anxious to eat or drink anything at the moment. Thoughts of Calaren filled her mind and she longed to feel his arms around her and to hear his whispers in her ear as they lay together in the dark. Ithilwen, seeming to sense her, sadness distracted her by allowing her to examine her helmet. Narisa closely looked at it's beautiful construction. It was a masterpiece of metalwork, but also exquisite in the designs that were upon it. Ithilwen began to speak about Beren and Narisa couldn't help but listen and feel the same about Calaren as she did. She was never happier than when he was happy and when he was sad or upset she would do anything to take those feelings away. While they had not been married long, she hoped that their marriage would become just as strong as her aunt and uncle or even as strong as her parents.

Suddenly, Ithilwen's eyes grew large and she announced that they were coming. Narisa immediately stood and looked to the east. A flaming arrow shot up from the west and Narisa nocked an arrow and readied it to fire. She spotted what appeared to be Calaren, but he was riding her grandfather's horse instead of his red and there was no sign of her grandfather. She could see a cart being pulled by two Neifbren coming fast towards the eastern gate. Narisa immediately gave orders to those in her command to ready themselves to rush out of the gate and provide cover for them. However, just then a sound caught her ears. She looked over to see a rider upon a Neifbren come charging towards the gate. The horse was adorned with the green barding that had been on her grandfather's black horse and at first she was convinced it was her grandfather. But then she heard Ithilwen point out that she didn't know her grandfather could use a bow and her eyes grew large. The person on the Neifbren was Calaren!

“Go Narisa Go! I’ll deal with the East Gate!” Ithilwen shouted as she moved to the wall. Even as she began to run, people had had to jump out of her way, she could see Calaren being harried from all sides. Two dark fletchings protruded from his left shoulder blade and several from the horse on his front and his flank. As she got closer she saw he had dropped the bow and he muscled through two that tried to bring him down with catch poles. The Neifbren was several hands taller and broader than any horse the raiders rode and it plowed through them when they tried to crowd him in. His shield, it was one he plucked off of a raider was held low in his arm and he swung his sword and beheaded the raider that was unlucky enough to be on his right side. On that large horse and wearing that armor he looked like a Knight, not unlike one that fought in the stories her mother had told her about. For those few moments Calaren was a knight, her knight fighting for his Lord and Lady and for her she knew. The Neifbren reared and hopped like a trained warhorse was like to do to clamour over raiders who tried to shoulder into him and wherever Calaren swung his sword Raiders died screaming. Some were women she saw as she reached the West gate with those on the walls yelling for him to ride toward them. To the East the gate was flung open and riders rushed out as arrows crashed down on raiders who had gotten to close too the wall. The Gehenna soldiers cried out, “For Our Lord of the Morning!” Or “For Gehenna!” or “For The Golden Wolf!”As they engaged the raiders.

Calaren managed to break through their wall of riders but in doing so his horse had taken a spear and several more arrows but not before he made those that had gotten close to him pay for that mistake. His horse continued through their line but not far before it pitched forward and Calaren was thrown clear before it hit the ground. Calaren rolled and did not move when he came to a stop, face down. Narisa would know he was far, too far for their bowman but not for her as she arrived above him as raiders clamoured off their horses to drag him back away from the wall and from any chance their bows could hit them. As she drew she would feel her grandmother slide in beside her. “Be one with the bow Narisa,” she seemed to say in her mind.

Narisa did not hesitate. Any fear she felt had vanished as she rushed forward out of the gates and into the battle. As she ran she fired arrows at any raiders that were in her sightline. The elven arrows flew far and true and she fired with deadly accuracy. The raiders began to fire back at her, but she moved quickly out of their way. One however, came close to hitting her. It slid across her upper left arm, ripping the fabric of her tunic and cutting her skin before slamming into the tree behind her with a thud. Narisa ignored the blood now running down her arm and looked up to see Calaren riding towards her on the Neifbren. In his armor and with his shield he looked every bit the knight that she knew he was. He was strong and wielded his sword with deadly precision. She watched as he broke through a wall of riders but as he did this his horse was stabbed with a spear and shot with several arrows. The horse suddenly fell forward and Narisa's eyes widened as Calaren was thrown to the ground. Immediately, raiders rushed towards him to drag him away from the wall. Looking over to her left, Narisa saw her grandmother come up to stand beside her with her bow in hand. A simple nod between them was all it took. The arrows flew fast and true and most of the raiders did not know what had hit them. Narisa fired quickly...almost as quickly as her grandmother and all Narisa could hear was the sound of her bow string in her ear. Even before her arrows hit their intended targets she was already reaching for another arrow...and then another...and another. The raiders scattered in all directions, but the two women were too fast for them and every one they could see fell within moments...their blood soaking into the earth.

Men on foot and on horses poured out of the gate once the raiders were routed. Their shouts and cries were a deafening roar and indeed it appeared to spurn the raiders to move faster for their lives. When Serethiel and Narisa came upon Calaren, he didn’t move and face down as he was, with the fletchings of 2 arrows sticking out of his back he did indeed look dead. The armor didn’t fit him all that well, it was too large and the helm had come off when he landed. It sat on its side near his head and when Serethiel saw who it was a flash of confusion came over her yet she ran and helped Narisa turn him over.

“Careful girl!” she snapped and as Narisa began to cry she got angry again as she held her hand up to his forehead. For only a moment she closed her eyes and delved him with her elven healing magic then opened them again. “Quiet girl!” She scolded as Narisa carried on. “He lives still, but only just we must get him to the healers...quickly...quickly!” She said urgently as she looked around for her Conleth. Then she heard the roar from the Eastern Gate. She turned that way and a look of relief covered her face for only a moment before she turned back to Narisa and Calaren who was being set up onto a litter.

Ithilwen had long since tossed her helmet away and as the men got Beren on a litter she straddled him and rained kissed down upon him. He grunted but accepted her flurry of kisses gratefully. “Well I missed you too,” he said with a smile and she began to cry with relief and joy in her heart. Conleth dismounted and looked out to where the soldiers rode here and there fighting the raiders. It was a route he decided, the raiders were trying to escape and paying for how close they were with their lives. His arm was in a makeshift sling and it hurt but he had had far worse. Beren was going to live and his concern now lay with Calaren who had bravely asked to take the risk and don his armor to make the raiders believe he was Conleth. Conleth hadn’t wanted him to do it, in fact he argued against it but they all agreed that if he were Captured, they’d put him up for ransom and they all knew Gehenna would pay it. The villagers continued to cheer though and it wasn't long before the riders turned back toward the walls.

Two of the 3 Neifbrens survived. A pale dun stallion and a red stallion with brown highlights, mane and tail. The red’s face though looked as if it had been slashed several times in the face and it stamped its foot nervously and whinnied in pain. Conleth hoped the mare survived too but he couldn’t see from where they were. The people crowded in around them as the gate was closed and they moved in to touch him as he moved past them to stay with the litter.

Only after Calaren had been put up onto the litter and she knew he was being taken to the healer's with Narisa at his side did Serethiel step away to approach Conleth. All around her people were celebrating their victory and the sense of relief that their lord had survived was palpable. Serethiel's sharp eyes scanned the moving crowd of people and finally her eyes came upon him just inside the eastern gate. Her eyes met his across the crowd and they began walking towards one another. As they met halfway, Serethiel looked into his eyes for a long moment before cupping her hands around his face and kissing him. It wasn't an overly passionate kiss...but a kiss that poured the entirety of her love for him into it. As their lips parted, Serethiel closed her eyes and rested her forehead against his and they stood there, neither one of them speaking, but just being comforted from one another's company. Looking at them in that moment was looking at the type of love that perhaps only existed once in all eternity.

For a long while Serethiel said nothing, but finally she opened her eyes and moved back and looked at her husband.

"Calaren had sustained more injuries and is unconscious. Beren has also been taken to the healers."

She looked at his injured arm and then at him. "I'm supposing I will not be able to convince you to go to the healers..."

Conleth wasn’t one for public displays of affection but he had no such illusions for Serethiel. He allowed her this indulgence and indeed he was happy to see her. He quirked his mouth into a small grin down at her which for any other man was an all out open mouthed smile. “It is good to see you wife,” he said in a neutral tone. “I will let you tend me if you wish it to be so,” he said. “Though I did reset the bone,” he added as he breathed in her scent then rested his forehead on hers for a few moments. “I love you Serethiel,” he said softly. Something he hadn’t told her often. This time though he was worried he may not have returned this time. It brought out an urgent need to tell her when he felt.

“Calaren, did he make it?” Conleth asked and prepared himself mentally for her answer. “Only Just,” She replied. ‘I must go to Narisa, will you…” Conleth nodded knowing what she was going to say. “I will wait for you to...tend me properly,” he said though his expression was a slightly playful one. And she’d know what that meant as well.

The healers winced when they brought Calaren in but they got to working on him immediately. They had to cut the arrows off and the fact that they were embedded into his shoulder blade meant the kind of healing that would not be difficult to watch. Thus they asked Narisa to step out of the treatment room. Magic, surgery and alchemy would all be needed to save Calaren but their dire looks were not confident even their abilities could bring about a good outcome here. Beren was brought in soon after with Ithilwen right there beside him. They brought him to a different room but just like Narisa, they asked Ithilwen to go to where people waited. It wasn’t long before Serethiel arrived and met them there.

Narisa was almost beside herself with worry and fear. Ignoring her own injured left arm, her only concerns were for her husband. She stayed beside him as they carried him into the healers, but she was quickly dismissed from the treatment room. She desperately wanted to be beside him and she began to pace anxiously as she fought back her tears. She knew she needed to be strong for his sake, but she was overcome with worry. This was the man she loved...the man who had saved her life and had been there when she needed him. She could not imagine her life without him. They had only just begun their lives together. He could not leave her so soon.

A healer came out to tend to Narisa's arm and she sat down without a word to allow her to treat and bandage her wound. There was dried blood on her tunic and all she could think of was that Calaren would be more worried about her than he would be about himself. That thought brought both a smile to her face and fresh tears to her eyes.

Once again Narisa was comforted by both Serethiel and Ithilwen. What Serethiel knew and hadn’t said was that there were 7 that hadn’t made it back. Seven women who would be mourning the deaths of their husbands today. She knew two quite well and the children were now left without a father. A dark day indeed for Gehenna though getting Conleth back and Beren and Calaren brought her some relief.

The minutes turned into hours and after 7, it was late into the night, Conleth came in. He looked and smelled clean and had managed to change his sling and bandages. Beren was out of danger but given something to help him sleep. Ithilwen stayed though for Narisa who had refused to eat or sleep. On Conleth’s shoulder was a small, tanned leather satchel. Smells of cheese and bread came from it and he handed it to Serethiel as his eyes and Narisa’s met. He could see she was about to break down again and he extended his arm toward her. When she crashed into him she began to weep and he hugged her to him with his arm. “It’s alright girl, it’s alright,” he said softly. “You have a brave man there,” he said. “A very brave man,” he added.

Narisa refused to leave. She would not go home until Calaren was able to go with her. She needed to know he was alright and would be there for him as he was there for her. Hours slowly ticked by and Narisa's fears only grew stronger with each passing hour. She was exhausted, both mentally and physically, but she could not sleep without him. Seven long hours later the door opened and her grandfather walked in. He looked refreshed, but not entirely rested. However, with him he carried a small, leather satchel. From it everyone could smell cheese and freshly baked bread. Narisa felt tears come to her eyes again upon seeing her grandfather and she rushed into his open arms. She cried against him, staining his shirt with her salty tears.

"Yes, he is," she managed to say. "I love him so much and I don't know what I would do without him."

Conleth leaned forward and kissed her hair. Moreover he let her cry. He was a hard man but he had raised two daughters and daughters needed their fathers just like his son did if not always in the same way. “Calaren is worthy of your tears Narisa but if you do not eat, you may not be able to be here when he needs you most. Eat, and regain your strength for whatever may come,” he whispered to her. For Serethiel, it has been a very long time since she has seen Conleth in such a soft light. It was one of the real reasons she loved him so much. He was always genuine and true with his actions and his feelings behind them. And also it brought back memories of their own daughters and how he was with them. Ithilwen could not take it. She moved to embrace them too and tears filled her eyes as well. And then Serethiel could take it no longer. Tears fell from her eyes also and she joined them in surrounding Narisa with the love and care they had for her.

It was hours longer into the night that one of the older healing women stepped up to them. She nodded to Serethiel first and Serethiel stood and nodded back. “Dalana,” she said respectfully. Her face was a calm mask of neutrality as she scanned over Ithilwen, Conleth and Narisa. She paused when she saw Narisa’s desperate face before she turned back toward Serethiel. “We’ve done what we can for the soldier, Serethiel. Each hour he hangs upon the edge of death yet refuses to give up. You may go to see him if you wish but please, be brief and do not linger. Does he have a wife or betrothed? If so, now is the time,” she said and then bowed again then padded away down the hall.

Finally, her hunger overcame her worry and she did eat some of the cheese and bread. The bread was still warm and soft and the cheese had a salty aftertaste. It was nearly morning when one of the healing women finally emerged from the treatment room where Calaren was and addressed her grandmother. Narisa found she began to tremble when they said they had done all they could for him and wanted to be sick when they confirmed he was hanging on the edge of death. Fresh tears began to slide down her cheeks and slowly she stepped into the room. His eyes were closed and his face was quite pale. The only sign of life was his shallow breathing. She nearly began to sob, but she forced herself to be strong. She sat down beside him and took one of his hands into her own.

"I cannot do this without you Calaren. Life will not be worth living without you here with me. We have only just begun our lives together. Please...do not leave me so soon. I need you...I need you with me. You give me strength when I'm weak...you fill my heart with love when it feels empty. I love you so much Calaren."

From outside the room the others stood and Ithilwen’s heart wrenched when she saw how desperately Narisa’s own happiness hinged on Calaren’s survival. It was not always easy to be an elf who lived hundreds of years amongst people who lived for the barest moment of that time. However she loved the sense of family that her new family had had afforded her. Never once taking her for granted or expecting anything from her accept her love and loyalty. Beren led by example and showed her how love could really be in this world. Who was she if she did not pay that forward?

Ithilwen was not without her own power and knowledge of ancient magic that lived within her. “No Ithilwen,” Serethiel begged. She moved up and put her hand on her shoulder. 'That is not the way," she whispered. Ithilwen knew why and she paused to look at Narisa weep. Serethiel had made a practice of allowing what unfolded for her and her family to happen without her elven powers or heritage to influence an outcome. What must be must be she had always said and chose to live by. Humans were a people that needed conflict just like they needed to know peace. Life and death was part of their existence. “I must mother,” Ithilwen said and stepped forward into the room and away from Serethiel's grasp.

Wordlessly she moved up to Calaren’s bedside. Chanting softly she drew up his hand by his wrist and used her magic to increase his heart rate. After their she murmured the healing ways as she reached up and touched his forehead. He was dying she knew and so she drew deeper upon herself and closed her eyes. After a few moments she withdrew her hand and opened her eyes. Gracefully she held herself erect though her knees were so weak she could barely withdrawal from the room. 

Calaren didn't move nor wake but his color wasn't so pale and his breathing had definitely improved. Ithilwen looked paler than she had been and she was so tired then she bid them all a good night and left the healing house.  Conleth had left as well, he was exhausted and bid goodbye to Serethiel who would stay with Narisa tonight.

Narisa didn't hear Ithilwen enter the room. Looking up, she suddenly saw her aunt standing there beside Calaren. Through tear filled eyes she watched as she seemed to perform some kind of magic upon him. She didn't know what exactly she was doing, but within moments after she had finished Calaren already seemed to look better, which eased her heart somewhat. After her aunt left, she moved up to lie in the bed next to her husband. She rested her head upon his chest and breathed in his comforting scent. With his steady heartbeat sounding in her ear her eyes slowly closed and she was asleep in moments.

ooc-new thread