Coming Home
Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 7:25 pm
Era pulled her robe tight against the cool air as she stepped out onto the deck. Won’t be long now, she thought, staring at the island just beginning to take shape on the horizon. Gods I hope he forgives me.
[some months earlier…]
Her departure had been swift. A knock at the door in the middle of the night, a messenger sent to tell her that her step-mother was gravely ill and in danger of losing the child she was carrying. As she scrambled to gather her things, she realized her mate was not in the bed. Probably dozed off at a campfire somewhere… no time to look for him now, I’ll write him when I arrive.
The journey was long and, much to her surprise, paid for by her grandfather. She passed the time talking with the Halfling who had fetched her. She did not know which was worse, the rocking of the boat, or the swaying of the wagon as it lumbered along to Firnismill. But finally, she was home.
She was greeted by her father and brother (the latter of whom clung to her neck for hours after her arrival) and a scowling creature she’d never seen before.
“Well at least she looks like one of us.” He grunted, studying her with distaste. “Bit round, but a good diet will take care of that.”
“Father!” her father’s tone was sharp, “That’s no way to greet your only granddaughter.”
“’Tis alright father.” Era smiled coolly, “I’ve grown quite used to narrow-minded fools. Greetings Mr. Celebrindal.”
And so the battle began….
Era avoided her grandfather as much as possible, preferring to spend her days with her little brother, only a few years old and full of life. She helped the medico who visited her step-mother gather herbs, and even picked up a few tips. She even impressed her father with her ability to cook soup without burning it, but not all was well.
Every day since her arrival, Era had written a letter to her beloved Halfling at home. Weeks went by without response, but Era forced herself to believe there was a reason for the delay. Slowly the weeks turned into months, and as her step-mother’s health strengthened, Era’s hope dimmed.
She was strongly considering staying with her father by the time her sister was born…
The house was abuzz with activity, and Era was tasked with keeping track of her little brother. After greeting another guest, Era discovered her charge missing. A bit of searching found him in the guest room, pilfering their grandfather’s things. She scolded him and was leading him out, when something caught her eye.
The corner of an envelope sticking out from beneath the cupboard door. Her trembling hands opened the door to find a stack of letters… every single one she’d written to her mate. Enraged, she gathered the letters and stormed into the parlor.
“You filthy, thieving scoundrel!” she screeched, causing the room to fall silent. “How could you?”
“Era…” her father’s voice was soft but stern, “I don’t know what is going on, but-“
“Look at this! My letters, all of them unsent!” Era thrust the letters towards them, “Some of them opened! How dare you violate my privacy like that!”
“Father… Did you do this?”
The elder man stared blankly at his son for a moment before turning to Era.
“Well I couldn’t very well have the little harlot tainting our blood further.” He scoffed, “Did you know she was involved with a Halfer?”
“You narrow-minded, son of a-!”
“Era!” her father held up a hand to stop her before turning to his father. “I see nothing wrong with that father. Look around you, our neighbors and friends are Halflings. They helped my family when my own blood turned it’s back.”
“Well if you’d just chosen a suitable wife the first time, none of this would have happened.” Her grandfather growled, his narrow eyes passing between the pair. “But no, you had to ruin my line with that Human.” He spat the word like it burned his tongue.
“Worry not Mr. Celebrindal.” Era was surprised at the venom in her own voice. “I’ll not be claiming to be part of your line anytime soon. I’ve met Orcs with more social graces than you.”
Her grandfather sputtered with rage, unable to form a reply as she turned on her heel and left. She carried herself with the air and grace of the highest Elfess in the land.
“Era!” her father called, but it was too late, she was already gone.
[present day]
Era patted her bag, reassuring herself that the letters were still there. I’ll show him these, and he’ll understand… I know he will.
Sighing with relief as the dock came into view, Era briefly wondered when they had built the towering column with the light atop it. She shrugged the thought off as she stepped from the ship, smiling as she glanced around.
Now I am home…
[some months earlier…]
Her departure had been swift. A knock at the door in the middle of the night, a messenger sent to tell her that her step-mother was gravely ill and in danger of losing the child she was carrying. As she scrambled to gather her things, she realized her mate was not in the bed. Probably dozed off at a campfire somewhere… no time to look for him now, I’ll write him when I arrive.
The journey was long and, much to her surprise, paid for by her grandfather. She passed the time talking with the Halfling who had fetched her. She did not know which was worse, the rocking of the boat, or the swaying of the wagon as it lumbered along to Firnismill. But finally, she was home.
She was greeted by her father and brother (the latter of whom clung to her neck for hours after her arrival) and a scowling creature she’d never seen before.
“Well at least she looks like one of us.” He grunted, studying her with distaste. “Bit round, but a good diet will take care of that.”
“Father!” her father’s tone was sharp, “That’s no way to greet your only granddaughter.”
“’Tis alright father.” Era smiled coolly, “I’ve grown quite used to narrow-minded fools. Greetings Mr. Celebrindal.”
And so the battle began….
Era avoided her grandfather as much as possible, preferring to spend her days with her little brother, only a few years old and full of life. She helped the medico who visited her step-mother gather herbs, and even picked up a few tips. She even impressed her father with her ability to cook soup without burning it, but not all was well.
Every day since her arrival, Era had written a letter to her beloved Halfling at home. Weeks went by without response, but Era forced herself to believe there was a reason for the delay. Slowly the weeks turned into months, and as her step-mother’s health strengthened, Era’s hope dimmed.
She was strongly considering staying with her father by the time her sister was born…
The house was abuzz with activity, and Era was tasked with keeping track of her little brother. After greeting another guest, Era discovered her charge missing. A bit of searching found him in the guest room, pilfering their grandfather’s things. She scolded him and was leading him out, when something caught her eye.
The corner of an envelope sticking out from beneath the cupboard door. Her trembling hands opened the door to find a stack of letters… every single one she’d written to her mate. Enraged, she gathered the letters and stormed into the parlor.
“You filthy, thieving scoundrel!” she screeched, causing the room to fall silent. “How could you?”
“Era…” her father’s voice was soft but stern, “I don’t know what is going on, but-“
“Look at this! My letters, all of them unsent!” Era thrust the letters towards them, “Some of them opened! How dare you violate my privacy like that!”
“Father… Did you do this?”
The elder man stared blankly at his son for a moment before turning to Era.
“Well I couldn’t very well have the little harlot tainting our blood further.” He scoffed, “Did you know she was involved with a Halfer?”
“You narrow-minded, son of a-!”
“Era!” her father held up a hand to stop her before turning to his father. “I see nothing wrong with that father. Look around you, our neighbors and friends are Halflings. They helped my family when my own blood turned it’s back.”
“Well if you’d just chosen a suitable wife the first time, none of this would have happened.” Her grandfather growled, his narrow eyes passing between the pair. “But no, you had to ruin my line with that Human.” He spat the word like it burned his tongue.
“Worry not Mr. Celebrindal.” Era was surprised at the venom in her own voice. “I’ll not be claiming to be part of your line anytime soon. I’ve met Orcs with more social graces than you.”
Her grandfather sputtered with rage, unable to form a reply as she turned on her heel and left. She carried herself with the air and grace of the highest Elfess in the land.
“Era!” her father called, but it was too late, she was already gone.
[present day]
Era patted her bag, reassuring herself that the letters were still there. I’ll show him these, and he’ll understand… I know he will.
Sighing with relief as the dock came into view, Era briefly wondered when they had built the towering column with the light atop it. She shrugged the thought off as she stepped from the ship, smiling as she glanced around.
Now I am home…