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rainbowfic2012-08-23 10:02 pm
dark_kana) wrote in rainbowfic2012-08-23 10:02 pm
Ember 21 - Transparent 12 - Cotton Candy 20 Bedtime - Glitter - Nubs
Name: Kana
Title: Visiting home
Story: Shadows in the Distance
Characters:Caithlynn, Alan, Frey, Sarah
Colors: Ember 21 South – Transparent 12 Father Sky
Supplies and Styles: Glitter ("Do not handicap your children by making their lives easy." – Robert A. Heinlein) - Nubs
Word count: 1938
Rating: PG
Summary: They are near her village, and Caithlynn wants to visit her mother
Notes: Constructive criticism is, as always, welcome
Takes place before the previous story ‘Finding his Dragon’ and after ‘A new Wielder’
“No. Out of the question. We are not going there.”
Caithlynn crosses her arms before her chest. A defiant look in her eyes. Stubborn. She’s not going to yield this time.
“We are. Or at least. I am.”
Shooting him a last angry look, before she turns around and starts walking.
“We have no business in the South Caithlynn.”
He sees her shrug.“We are already in the South. And we are close enough. These couple of days we’ll spend there will not make a change.”
She does not stop walking. She even starts whistling – it upsets him even more.
Looking aside, he sees Frey standing next to him. Eyes wide open. Looking surprised between the two of them. The anger on Alan’s face is enough to make him flinch. And the boy quickly runs after Caithlynn.
”She is right. Why is it so bad to go visit the village? There is nothing lost by going there. It might even be a very good decision.”
Surprised Alan looks up to the sky. Of course their Dragons are not following them during the day. They would scare everybody they meet.
“It might even be a very good decision?”
He can hear Naigendra’s chuckle.
“Who knows…”
There is mystery in the tone of her voice.
“I know we’ll bring danger to these people.”
His voice is but a soft whisper. As if he does not want Caithlynn to hear it – even though she is walking too far ahead already.
“It will be fine.”
Alan smiles softly and shakes his head – playfully defeated – before he too runs after Caithlynn.
“Alright.”
He doesn’t need to say more. Doesn’t need to look aside to know there is an open, honest smile on her face. A silent thank you in the air.
~ * ~ * ~
“That is your village? That is your home?”
Caithlynn smiles and nods when she hears the amazement in Frey’s voice. It’s true. Their village is awesome. Simple but beautiful.
She starts walking faster. Nearly running. Even though it’s still at least a ten minute walk until they reach the first house.
Frey tries to keep up, but he is tired and his eyes are dropping close. It slowly starts getting dark already. And they have walked all afternoon. With only two breaks to quickly eat something.
“Come here.”
He’s surprised when he feels Alan pick him up. Gently. To put him on his back.
It takes the kid a couple of minutes to register the kindness of the Wielder of Fire. Up ‘till now there has been nothing but a cold distance between them.
Smiling Frey closes his eyes, letting his head rest against the man’s back, between his shoulder blades. His arms draped lose around Alan’s shoulders.
“Thank you,” he whispers softly, knowing that Alan has heard it. There comes no response. Not that the boy expected any. But it is alright like this.
“Caithlynn. Slow down a little. It won’t matter if we arrive in two or five minutes.”
He hears her laugh. Carelessly. It’s the first time since they met. And despite not really liking her – it’s not the same as not trusting her, because he does, he really does – he likes the sound of it.
“She’s not that bad, you know. As a person. I’m actually pretty sure that, if there was no war and you were no Element Wielders, you’d get along pretty well.”
Alan nods. “I know Naigendra. I know. It’s just my stupid pride that keeps me from actually being friends with her.”
He feels Frey shift on his back. Silently Alan curses himself. He should not have spoken out loud. Should have used his connection with his Dragon to talk. He had already forgotten the kid was asleep on his back. At least, he hoped he was sleeping.
“Being stubborn isn’t always a bad think Alan. Nor is your pride. You just have to…”
He interrupts before she can finish the reprimand.
“I know.”
There’s a harsh edge in his voice and when he catches it himself, he continues in a much gentler voice.
“I know…”
He can feel the comfort his Dragon sends him through their bond. Feels how it warms him. Calms him.
Before him, he can see Caithlynn suddenly stopped. Her hands wrenched together, held in front of her body.
“What’s the matter?”
Surprised she looks aside. Not having expected him to actually ask.
“I don’t know. Suddenly I’m nervous…”
Alan nods in understanding.
“It’s been a while, isn’t it?”
It wasn’t actually a question and he continues before she can confirm it.
“Don’t worry. All will be fine. It is your home after all.”
He flashes her a small comforting smile. They both know it is a little strained. But it is alright. And despite being surprised, she doesn’t question the sudden kindness. She needed the reassuring words more than she dared to admit – even to herself.
Together they enter the village. The roads already abandoned because of the late hour.
She halts before her mother’s house. Takes a deep breath. Her hand hovering at the cloth that covers the doorway.
“Go on.”
Once again she wonders why he is supporting her this much for the moment. And once again she does not question it. Doesn’t question him… Over the past few months – during all the battles and the running – she has come to trust and respect him. Even like him as a friend. She values his opinion and she doesn’t mind anymore, that she often needs his help.
“Did we arrive?”
Humming Caithlynn pushes the cloth aside, while Alan puts Frey on the ground again.
The house is dark but for a single light in the middle of the living room. A woman turns her head when she hears the door open. There is no fear to be seen or sensed at the sudden intrusion.
“Hello Mum.”
Caithlynn smiles when she sees the wide open eyes of her mother at recognising her daughter.
Calmly Sarah stands up, walking over to where the three Wielders are standing. “It has been ages…”
Caithlynn chuckles softly. “It hasn’t even been a year yet Mum.”
Without another word, Sarah embraces her daughter. Holding her close. And for a moment, never wanting to let go.
“You are safe. You are here.”
She looks at her, hands still on her shoulders, still needing to touch. “Why are you here?”
Caithlynn shakes her head, but before she can answer, her mother’s attention is drawn to a yawning Frey.
“Oh dear. How rude of me. Please, come in further. Set yourselves comfortable. I’m Sarah. Can I get you something to drink?”
Her daughter chuckles at the fluent word fall. “Some water would be nice. But I’ll go get it Mum.” She walks over to the other room.“You take a seat. You’ve been working hard enough today.”
Smiling politely, Alan takes a seat directly in front of Sarah. Frey next to him.
“Pleased to meet you m’am. I am Alan.”
Sarah nods. “The Wielder of Fire.”
Of course she notices the surprised look in his eyes.
“You resemble your mother. I met her once. Very briefly. But…”
Caithlynn looks surprised at both of them when she puts down four glasses of water on the table. Of course Sarah notices it makes Alan uncomfortable. She looks aside.
“And who are you darling?”
Frey blushes before he softly whispers his name. Is glad that Caithlynn sets herself between her mother and him.
“Frey. What a lovely name. You are from the North?”
He simply nods. Too shy and tired to really answer.
“And I think he is sleepy…”
Frey shakes his head, but the yawn that escapes him, betrays him.
“Come Frey. I’ll show you where you can sleep.”
For a moment it looks as if the boy wants to protest, but then he gets up. Taking Caithlynn’s outstretched hand, he follows her.
“So. How are you guys holding on? Are you alright? All of you?”
There is concern slipping through in her voice. And Alan knows it is only because Caithlynn isn’t near enough to hear it.
“We are alright. Though the battles are… horrible. Caithlynn and I have been through a lot already. But…”
He thinks his words over before he continues. “We keep each other strong. I don’t think either of us would have made it this far if we would had been alone.”
Sarah nods. “And Frey?”
Alan smiles – a little fondly. “We only met him a couple of days ago. He is still searching for his Dragon. Though both Caithlynn as Naigendra tell me he’ll find him soon. He’s strong. For an eight year old kid. But… That’s what he is. He is still a child. He shouldn’t have to bear this responsibility…”
He doesn’t react when he feels Caithlynn’s hand on his shoulder. Even though he had not noticed her approaching him.
“He’ll be fine. We’ll watch over him. We’ll keep him safe.”
The look in her eyes tells it all.
“We’ll try to…”
“He’s the Wielder of?”
Caithlynn faces her mother, setting herself back down on the chair.
“The Wielder of Water. We found him in the forest, a couple of days ago. He sprang a trap. Managed to escape thanks to his powers. He acts tough sometimes, but he’s scared.”
She looks at the other room. Frey fell asleep as soon as his head touched the pillow.
“This is not going to be easy...”
A soft whisper. They all know what lies ahead of them.
“You two should get some sleep as well.”
Caithlynn nods before standing up. Giving her mother another hug and a gentle kiss. Sarah has grown old since she left.
“We’ll catch up tomorrow.”
Nodding she bids Alan a good night when she disappears into what used to be her room. Frey is occupying her bed. But there are blankets enough so she can sleep on the ground without freezing. It’s still winter after all.
~ * ~ * ~
Caithlynn is up and about even before dawn. The forest calls for her. It always has. It always will.
Before she disappears between the trees, she can feel Frey’s eyes on her back. She knows though that he will not follow her. Alan will make sure of that.
She lets the Wind guide her. It leads her to the river. To the waterfall. How clearly does she remember still the day she got lost. The one time she did not feel safe in the forest. The one day she felt like she was not welcome. Like she was an intruder.
Giggling, like she used to when she was but a kid about Frey’s age, she climbs in a tree. Quickly she frees a branch from the pack of snow. Setting herself against the trunk. Her legs dangling in the air.
When she looks up, she sees the pale glow of the fading stars. The sun will come up soon.
She wonders why she always finds such comfort in the sky. Perhaps it is because she is the Wielders of the Element Wind.
A bird starts whistling his morning song on a branch nearby. And despite the fact that Earth is not her Element, she has always had a good connection with the animals in the Forest. It surprises her to see they still remember her.
Someone once told her that animals are far better friends than humans. Sometimes she is inclined to say that is true. But then she only has to look at Frey and her mother and... yes, even Alan, to know that humans, are worth fighting for as well...
Title: Visiting home
Story: Shadows in the Distance
Characters:Caithlynn, Alan, Frey, Sarah
Colors: Ember 21 South – Transparent 12 Father Sky
Supplies and Styles: Glitter ("Do not handicap your children by making their lives easy." – Robert A. Heinlein) - Nubs
Word count: 1938
Rating: PG
Summary: They are near her village, and Caithlynn wants to visit her mother
Notes: Constructive criticism is, as always, welcome
Takes place before the previous story ‘Finding his Dragon’ and after ‘A new Wielder’
“No. Out of the question. We are not going there.”
Caithlynn crosses her arms before her chest. A defiant look in her eyes. Stubborn. She’s not going to yield this time.
“We are. Or at least. I am.”
Shooting him a last angry look, before she turns around and starts walking.
“We have no business in the South Caithlynn.”
He sees her shrug.“We are already in the South. And we are close enough. These couple of days we’ll spend there will not make a change.”
She does not stop walking. She even starts whistling – it upsets him even more.
Looking aside, he sees Frey standing next to him. Eyes wide open. Looking surprised between the two of them. The anger on Alan’s face is enough to make him flinch. And the boy quickly runs after Caithlynn.
”She is right. Why is it so bad to go visit the village? There is nothing lost by going there. It might even be a very good decision.”
Surprised Alan looks up to the sky. Of course their Dragons are not following them during the day. They would scare everybody they meet.
“It might even be a very good decision?”
He can hear Naigendra’s chuckle.
“Who knows…”
There is mystery in the tone of her voice.
“I know we’ll bring danger to these people.”
His voice is but a soft whisper. As if he does not want Caithlynn to hear it – even though she is walking too far ahead already.
“It will be fine.”
Alan smiles softly and shakes his head – playfully defeated – before he too runs after Caithlynn.
“Alright.”
He doesn’t need to say more. Doesn’t need to look aside to know there is an open, honest smile on her face. A silent thank you in the air.
~ * ~ * ~
“That is your village? That is your home?”
Caithlynn smiles and nods when she hears the amazement in Frey’s voice. It’s true. Their village is awesome. Simple but beautiful.
She starts walking faster. Nearly running. Even though it’s still at least a ten minute walk until they reach the first house.
Frey tries to keep up, but he is tired and his eyes are dropping close. It slowly starts getting dark already. And they have walked all afternoon. With only two breaks to quickly eat something.
“Come here.”
He’s surprised when he feels Alan pick him up. Gently. To put him on his back.
It takes the kid a couple of minutes to register the kindness of the Wielder of Fire. Up ‘till now there has been nothing but a cold distance between them.
Smiling Frey closes his eyes, letting his head rest against the man’s back, between his shoulder blades. His arms draped lose around Alan’s shoulders.
“Thank you,” he whispers softly, knowing that Alan has heard it. There comes no response. Not that the boy expected any. But it is alright like this.
“Caithlynn. Slow down a little. It won’t matter if we arrive in two or five minutes.”
He hears her laugh. Carelessly. It’s the first time since they met. And despite not really liking her – it’s not the same as not trusting her, because he does, he really does – he likes the sound of it.
“She’s not that bad, you know. As a person. I’m actually pretty sure that, if there was no war and you were no Element Wielders, you’d get along pretty well.”
Alan nods. “I know Naigendra. I know. It’s just my stupid pride that keeps me from actually being friends with her.”
He feels Frey shift on his back. Silently Alan curses himself. He should not have spoken out loud. Should have used his connection with his Dragon to talk. He had already forgotten the kid was asleep on his back. At least, he hoped he was sleeping.
“Being stubborn isn’t always a bad think Alan. Nor is your pride. You just have to…”
He interrupts before she can finish the reprimand.
“I know.”
There’s a harsh edge in his voice and when he catches it himself, he continues in a much gentler voice.
“I know…”
He can feel the comfort his Dragon sends him through their bond. Feels how it warms him. Calms him.
Before him, he can see Caithlynn suddenly stopped. Her hands wrenched together, held in front of her body.
“What’s the matter?”
Surprised she looks aside. Not having expected him to actually ask.
“I don’t know. Suddenly I’m nervous…”
Alan nods in understanding.
“It’s been a while, isn’t it?”
It wasn’t actually a question and he continues before she can confirm it.
“Don’t worry. All will be fine. It is your home after all.”
He flashes her a small comforting smile. They both know it is a little strained. But it is alright. And despite being surprised, she doesn’t question the sudden kindness. She needed the reassuring words more than she dared to admit – even to herself.
Together they enter the village. The roads already abandoned because of the late hour.
She halts before her mother’s house. Takes a deep breath. Her hand hovering at the cloth that covers the doorway.
“Go on.”
Once again she wonders why he is supporting her this much for the moment. And once again she does not question it. Doesn’t question him… Over the past few months – during all the battles and the running – she has come to trust and respect him. Even like him as a friend. She values his opinion and she doesn’t mind anymore, that she often needs his help.
“Did we arrive?”
Humming Caithlynn pushes the cloth aside, while Alan puts Frey on the ground again.
The house is dark but for a single light in the middle of the living room. A woman turns her head when she hears the door open. There is no fear to be seen or sensed at the sudden intrusion.
“Hello Mum.”
Caithlynn smiles when she sees the wide open eyes of her mother at recognising her daughter.
Calmly Sarah stands up, walking over to where the three Wielders are standing. “It has been ages…”
Caithlynn chuckles softly. “It hasn’t even been a year yet Mum.”
Without another word, Sarah embraces her daughter. Holding her close. And for a moment, never wanting to let go.
“You are safe. You are here.”
She looks at her, hands still on her shoulders, still needing to touch. “Why are you here?”
Caithlynn shakes her head, but before she can answer, her mother’s attention is drawn to a yawning Frey.
“Oh dear. How rude of me. Please, come in further. Set yourselves comfortable. I’m Sarah. Can I get you something to drink?”
Her daughter chuckles at the fluent word fall. “Some water would be nice. But I’ll go get it Mum.” She walks over to the other room.“You take a seat. You’ve been working hard enough today.”
Smiling politely, Alan takes a seat directly in front of Sarah. Frey next to him.
“Pleased to meet you m’am. I am Alan.”
Sarah nods. “The Wielder of Fire.”
Of course she notices the surprised look in his eyes.
“You resemble your mother. I met her once. Very briefly. But…”
Caithlynn looks surprised at both of them when she puts down four glasses of water on the table. Of course Sarah notices it makes Alan uncomfortable. She looks aside.
“And who are you darling?”
Frey blushes before he softly whispers his name. Is glad that Caithlynn sets herself between her mother and him.
“Frey. What a lovely name. You are from the North?”
He simply nods. Too shy and tired to really answer.
“And I think he is sleepy…”
Frey shakes his head, but the yawn that escapes him, betrays him.
“Come Frey. I’ll show you where you can sleep.”
For a moment it looks as if the boy wants to protest, but then he gets up. Taking Caithlynn’s outstretched hand, he follows her.
“So. How are you guys holding on? Are you alright? All of you?”
There is concern slipping through in her voice. And Alan knows it is only because Caithlynn isn’t near enough to hear it.
“We are alright. Though the battles are… horrible. Caithlynn and I have been through a lot already. But…”
He thinks his words over before he continues. “We keep each other strong. I don’t think either of us would have made it this far if we would had been alone.”
Sarah nods. “And Frey?”
Alan smiles – a little fondly. “We only met him a couple of days ago. He is still searching for his Dragon. Though both Caithlynn as Naigendra tell me he’ll find him soon. He’s strong. For an eight year old kid. But… That’s what he is. He is still a child. He shouldn’t have to bear this responsibility…”
He doesn’t react when he feels Caithlynn’s hand on his shoulder. Even though he had not noticed her approaching him.
“He’ll be fine. We’ll watch over him. We’ll keep him safe.”
The look in her eyes tells it all.
“We’ll try to…”
“He’s the Wielder of?”
Caithlynn faces her mother, setting herself back down on the chair.
“The Wielder of Water. We found him in the forest, a couple of days ago. He sprang a trap. Managed to escape thanks to his powers. He acts tough sometimes, but he’s scared.”
She looks at the other room. Frey fell asleep as soon as his head touched the pillow.
“This is not going to be easy...”
A soft whisper. They all know what lies ahead of them.
“You two should get some sleep as well.”
Caithlynn nods before standing up. Giving her mother another hug and a gentle kiss. Sarah has grown old since she left.
“We’ll catch up tomorrow.”
Nodding she bids Alan a good night when she disappears into what used to be her room. Frey is occupying her bed. But there are blankets enough so she can sleep on the ground without freezing. It’s still winter after all.
~ * ~ * ~
Caithlynn is up and about even before dawn. The forest calls for her. It always has. It always will.
Before she disappears between the trees, she can feel Frey’s eyes on her back. She knows though that he will not follow her. Alan will make sure of that.
She lets the Wind guide her. It leads her to the river. To the waterfall. How clearly does she remember still the day she got lost. The one time she did not feel safe in the forest. The one day she felt like she was not welcome. Like she was an intruder.
Giggling, like she used to when she was but a kid about Frey’s age, she climbs in a tree. Quickly she frees a branch from the pack of snow. Setting herself against the trunk. Her legs dangling in the air.
When she looks up, she sees the pale glow of the fading stars. The sun will come up soon.
She wonders why she always finds such comfort in the sky. Perhaps it is because she is the Wielders of the Element Wind.
A bird starts whistling his morning song on a branch nearby. And despite the fact that Earth is not her Element, she has always had a good connection with the animals in the Forest. It surprises her to see they still remember her.
Someone once told her that animals are far better friends than humans. Sometimes she is inclined to say that is true. But then she only has to look at Frey and her mother and... yes, even Alan, to know that humans, are worth fighting for as well...
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-“Come here.”
He’s surprised when he feels Alan pick him up. Gently. To put him on his back.-
Especially Alan shows his softer side many times, very lovely.
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Yeah, I figured I'd let Alan soften up a little. :-)
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But the rest will be shortly lived... ^^