Not Bound By Blood, or How to Have a Daughter Nearly Your Own Age

Writers: Clancey, Suzee
Date Posted: 12th April 2015

Characters: Felyna, Arippa
Description: Felyna and Arippa have a moment together after they arrive.
Location: Green Valley Hold
Date: month 11, day 7 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Qorri, Faldrimme, Reven, Corowal; After "A Visit From the Lord"

Felyna

Arippa

To say that she was tired was an understatement. She was weary in a
way she couldn't fully describe. But she was sincerely happy to see
Felyna, her foster mother and friend had helped her in more ways than
she could fully appreciate at the time.

She wrapped an arm around the other woman's waist. "It's so good to
see you Felyna," she said with a soft squeeze.

Felyna tucked her as close as she could to her side, smiling warmly.
She was glad to see her too. Arippa was the first young woman she'd
"helped" with her own hard-learned lessons. At least one of her
station, anyway. And she knew also that she'd gotten the match right
to the last heartbeat in Arippa and Reven. Not that she was usually
wrong in _that_ area. But it did make her quite protective and
proud to see how well Arippa had done.

"I am sorry I wasn't able to come when Reven was missing, Arippa. I
know it was a very tough time for you." Xebex chirruped his own
counterpoint to his person's emotions from his place on Felyna's
shoulder. "But I am so glad you have a precious child to help
welcome him home again. I brought some things for you and the baby
in our wagons, too. " She grinned. " I know its hard to 'shop' when
you are mostly alone here. I hope I can stay for a while with you,
and maybe see the babe born even." She finished fervently.

"Felyna," Arippa said squeezing her lightly. "Believe me I understand.
I'm just glad you're here now." She smiled at the mention of gifts.
"Oh that is so sweet of you! I couldn't go anywhere this winter though
Qorri and I did manage to get quite a few things made. I even learned
to knit!"

Felyna laughed at the image of Arippa learning to knit. "A useful
skill, love. It does help the winter days and nights pass when we
are trapped indoors. How is your embroidery?" She asked with a
questioning tilt of her head. She could not quite remember if Arippa
knew how to embroider. "I spent a great deal of my time
embroidering....I enjoy making things someone else made..." She
winked, and went on, "...prettier. Making it my own, so to speak."

"I will stay as long as possible, as long as you need. The babe
should come any day now, though, I expect." Felyna's bright green
eyes darkened for a moment as she placed gently hands on Arippa's
swelling belly. Would she ever get over losing Felwal? The dreams
still haunted her, though with Corowal back in her bed, she often
sought comfort in her husband's willing arms. Her other hand lay
lightly over the locket Corowal had given her. No, she never would.

She pushed the sadness aside in order to focus on Arippa. "How are
you and Reven doing? The truth, now." She smiled.

"We're doing very well," she smiled and blushed a little. "I am very
glad he's home. Please thank Lord Corowal for the extra guards he
sent. I know Reven won't say it but we both feel safer with them
around."

Felyna smiled to see the blush, knowing it for a sign of happiness in
and out of the marriage bed. She was pleased, indeed.

"Of course my darling. We could do no less for you and Reven. I
think Corowal is as fond of your husband as I am of you, though he'd
never show it or admit it." The smile shone brightly then and she
held her foster daughter's hand gently.

"You are hoping for a son, I imagine, my dear?" She asked curiously,
trying to keep her mind from bringing little Felwal's perfect face and
toes to mind. She wished she hadn't seen him, but at the same time,
she didn't think she'd have survived if she had not held him.

"We are," Arippa smiled and hugged Felyna, these days she was feeling
closer to the Lady Holder than she was to her step mother. Her fathers
wife had helped to raise her and Faldrimme yet she'd never had the
connection with her that she had with this woman. "But I think I'd
also be very happy with a little girl."

Suddenly she was feeling a bit weary and lowered herself into a chair
in the Hallway. "I'm sorry," she said. "I just need to rest a second."

Felyna helped her to the chair then pulled one close to her. "Rest,
love. I am sure you are tired from all the chaos around a Lordly
visit." Her eyes sparkled at that, enjoying the slight sarcasm to jab
at her husband, who really was not all _that_ formal but he could make
you think he was, like so many of the Blood. "A son would be perfect,
but a little girl.... " Felyna fell silent for a moment, considering.
"My mother did not dote on me, she simply taught me how to be.... as
you see me." She waved a hand vaguely over her still trim figure.
"But I've always thought that maybe I would dote on a girl, just to
save her from growing up like me!" She laughed softly, then leaned
back against the wall. She would stay here, claiming she was tired
too, to allow Arippa to rest.

Arippa nodded her head. "We're very lucky to have Qorri, she's amazing
and handled it all. Besides, I'm so very glad to see you both." She
leaned her shoulder against' Felyna. "My mother died when 'Dreamie and
I were young. So I never had the benefit of her teaching. That, I
learned from you." She smiled. "So I kind of feel you've doted on me
and I love you for it."

"And I love you, my fosterling. I did dote on you, and still do."
She winked. "And I'm still here if you need any lessons, though you
appear to be doing just fine. I'm very proud of you, and I will
always be here for you." She held Arippa close for a moment and let
herself relax in the simple love of family.

Arippa laid her head on Felyna's shoulder. "I love you," she said softly.

Last updated on the May 14th 2015

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Not Bound By Blood, or How to Have a Daughter Nearly Your Own Age