Unloved and lonely, those were the word that had etched themselves into her history and taken residence in the faint lines around her eyes. There was a deep sadness, brought about by a loss she couldn’t remember even having. Alyvia Arlange had felt love and happiness once. She had known what it was like to be held by someone who cherished her. Someone who cared for her, who wanted to see her smile and laugh, who gave her the skills to protect herself, who helped ease the childhood fears she’d had. Someone who didn’t make her feel like a burden, or a possession, or so, so, alone.
She no longer had those memories. She no longer knew what it was like to mean something to someone who she hadn’t given life to. She didn’t know the man who once cherished her and loved her and even broke her heart was standing right in front of her.
Was it worth it to be rid of the pain if it meant she never knew the good that came before it?
Alyvia was unaware of this dichotomy playing out in her own existence as she watched as, unbeknownst to both mother and daughter, the toddler all but leaped into the arms of her father.
There was a tug in her mind when she saw the man holding their child. Sharp and painful enough to make her wince. They looked so similar. I’m The white blonde hair alone was uncanny, but something wouldn’t let her make that connection. She rubbed her temples and took a breath as the pain started to ease. She watched in trepidation as the small chubby hands of the toddler reached out to stroke the mare and seeing that Carina was safe in the arms of the Warden she stepped back as far as she could from the horse.
At the question of the girl’s age Alyvia managed a small smile, ”She’s three. Due to turn four at Harvestmere. A bit of a late addition to my children.” she chuckled a bit, ”You met my boy and the other girls when you came for us.”
Alyvia paused for a moment and tilted her head, ”It just struck me, you saved my family and I’m not sure I ever got your name or gave you mine. Though… I would assume you know me, or at least of me, if you traveled so far to assure my safety and that of my children. Honestly, I find myself feeling quite indebted to you. If you hadn’t come for us I don’t know if we would have lasted long enough to be evacuated to the capital without you. And you’ve ensured us shelter and a place to stay. I mean this truly when I say I am at your service, Ser. If there is anyway I can be of help to you and your comrades here at the keep. I, regret to say, I don’t do much in the way of cooking really anything domestic but I can read and write. I fear I’m not much of a fighter, though my son and daughters have those skills but I would rather be the one to pay back this debt.”
She exhaled, looking at him some, smiling as Carina seems content in this man’s arms, ”You’re good with her. She doesn’t take to men other than family easily.”
She no longer had those memories. She no longer knew what it was like to mean something to someone who she hadn’t given life to. She didn’t know the man who once cherished her and loved her and even broke her heart was standing right in front of her.
Was it worth it to be rid of the pain if it meant she never knew the good that came before it?
Alyvia was unaware of this dichotomy playing out in her own existence as she watched as, unbeknownst to both mother and daughter, the toddler all but leaped into the arms of her father.
There was a tug in her mind when she saw the man holding their child. Sharp and painful enough to make her wince. They looked so similar. I’m The white blonde hair alone was uncanny, but something wouldn’t let her make that connection. She rubbed her temples and took a breath as the pain started to ease. She watched in trepidation as the small chubby hands of the toddler reached out to stroke the mare and seeing that Carina was safe in the arms of the Warden she stepped back as far as she could from the horse.
At the question of the girl’s age Alyvia managed a small smile, ”She’s three. Due to turn four at Harvestmere. A bit of a late addition to my children.” she chuckled a bit, ”You met my boy and the other girls when you came for us.”
Alyvia paused for a moment and tilted her head, ”It just struck me, you saved my family and I’m not sure I ever got your name or gave you mine. Though… I would assume you know me, or at least of me, if you traveled so far to assure my safety and that of my children. Honestly, I find myself feeling quite indebted to you. If you hadn’t come for us I don’t know if we would have lasted long enough to be evacuated to the capital without you. And you’ve ensured us shelter and a place to stay. I mean this truly when I say I am at your service, Ser. If there is anyway I can be of help to you and your comrades here at the keep. I, regret to say, I don’t do much in the way of cooking really anything domestic but I can read and write. I fear I’m not much of a fighter, though my son and daughters have those skills but I would rather be the one to pay back this debt.”
She exhaled, looking at him some, smiling as Carina seems content in this man’s arms, ”You’re good with her. She doesn’t take to men other than family easily.”
04-29-2023, 12:32 AM
