Post by Eirik on Jul 6, 2011 2:54:46 GMT
From Child of Light, Child of Dark: Book II of Heir to the Lokken Kingdom
Ingred Rems disembarked the longboat at Tel Mora, and found Luthien exactly where Beth and Meira said she would be. There was no mistaking the near white hair blowing at the dock. She was dressed in a Lin Cornish hunting outfit, with snow bear fine boots.
Walking down slowly on the mushroom vine walkway, Ingred fought with herself as to how to approach the subject. Laurenna stayed behind at the Dome Home, too distraught to follow and too ashamed of what she had done. She implored Ingred to go, and she was honor-bound as friend, family, and protector to do so.
It still did not make the task easy.
Luthien Morvayn knew it was Ingred the minute she left the longboat. There was no mistaking the raven hair, large frame and walk. She knew why she had come, and it pained her even further. In her heart she was in pain herself, for being so foolish she thought, to have sacrificed her love for someone to only discard them. She closed her eyes, and turned to face the water. She thought of Dandowin, and how he loved the sea. When Ingred spoke, she nearly yelled from the pain inside.
"I know why you are here Ingred. Go back home. You've come a long way for nothing."
Ingred was taken aback. She knew that Luthien was upset at Laurenna's action, but she had no idea that it would be this bad.
Still, she came too far to turn around and she wasn't the type to ever give up.
"If you know why I am here, then you know that's impossible. I mean to find him, and bring him home."
Luthien stiffened, but would not turn around. She was tired, and angry. Facing the water helped steady her anger, but Ingred's voice was chipping at it.
"Tell me why, Ingred-sister, that I should help you, or Laurenna in this?"
Ingred mistook Luthien's demeanor for a game of Cat and Mouse, and she angered herself. Laurenna was in turmoil and she had no intention that it should last any longer than it had to. Too many lives depended on this information, and she was beyond the want of it, as she had the need of it.
"Dunmer, if you have any ideas where he has gone..." She leveled at Luthien.
Luthien turned around now, and it was then that Ingred knew that she was in just as much pain as Laurenna, and that her previous taunt was ill placed. She took her eyes away, when Luthien's amethyst ones narrowed on her.
"So it's Dunmer now, is it? It was but a year ago when both you and I were holding her legs as little Agna was born, at that time of her greatest joy and fear. My, how times change again."
Ingred's shoulders dropped, and Luthien just looked at her, then turning to the sea again, she continued.
"Yes, I saw him at your home. It was Meira who invited me to supper when he came there to rest after our foolish sister-friend threw him out for the same blameless offense that was done her late father. Do you know how that made me feel Ingred? The Goddess herself found Dandowin. She brought him home safe, and it was I who made sure that they would never be put upon again. When Dandowin told me how she reacted at the news of the birth of this child from Sadela Areth, I understood, but thought she was made of better strength than that. What a fool I have been! To have sacrificed the love I have for him so that he could be treated so carelessly."
Ingred Rems shouldered her shield, and lowered her head. She was about to leave when Luthien stopped her with a hand.
"You'll find him at the Shrine of Azura. That is where he said he would go to ask for the Lady's help. He has three days on you, so you'd better fetch her and stop for nothing. Be mindful of where you are going as well Ingred. If you think my anger at Laurenna for her action is harsh, the Lady Azura is not one to be happy at boons discarded."
Ingred grabbed her hand in friendship, but Luthien let it fall to the air. Her next words were spoken with the same threat that Ingred shamefully threw at her in worry.
"Know this Ingred. The next time she is foolish enough to throw him away...the next time he is in my arms again...I will keep him. Sister or no. Daughter or no. Lokken or no. Love is far too precious a thing to be treated so casually. Not after all he has done just to get back to her side. You tell our sister that, and make sure she remembers it. Now go, before I lose myself and tell her myself in person."
Ingred left Luthien facing the sea, and turned just once to see her beautiful face lined with fresh tears. What a mess this is, she sighed inwardly. Part of her wanted to find him on his knees at the shrine. A smaller part of her hoped she wouldn't have to come back to ask for Luthien's help again.
"Oh Laurenna, why couldn't you have just left that damn letter from Divayth Fyr on the desk?"