Where You Come From

Writers: Yvonne
Date Posted: 20th September 2019

Characters: Alina, Elibra
Description: Elibra has one more surprise for her daughter
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 12, day 7 of Turn 9
Notes: Follows "A Night to Remember"
Mentioned: J'ackt, Elana

Alina

Half way through the evening Elibra gently disentangled her daughter from J'ackt and led her into their family rooms in the cothold. Alina was reluctant to leave her party, but J'ackt didn't look as if he was going to bite anyone. She suspected that if he really wanted to, her weyrmate might actually enjoy himself.

"What's going on?" Alina asked once they were inside.

Elibra pulled a large basket off the table and held it out to her. "This is for you. It's not as fancy as we'd have liked, but there was no engagement…"

Alina took the basket from her mother and set it on the floor. It was light and covered with a small square of cloth. Underneath was a pile of fabric-- a quilt, she realized as she pulled it out. The squares were mismatched green and brown, and the border trimmed with navy blue.

"We pulled together to get it done for you. It was a good sevenday of sewing, let me tell you!" Elibra laughed a little. "Between that and the cooking, and the fields, it's been a busy few days."

Alina dropped the quilt and reached over the basket to hug her mother. "Thank you," she whispered. A lump was forming in her throat. As much as she'd hated being at Nadol Cothold, for the first time in a long time she felt like she fit in. The women of the cothold had banded together to make something that would keep them warm and was stitched with love.

Elibra kissed the top of her head. "Your young man… he's not what I expected."

Alina sniffed and pulled away. "Honestly, he's not what I expected either," she said quietly.

"He treats you well?" Elibra asked.

The greenrider hesitated. There were things about her relationship with J'ackt that she hated, that made her miserable… and also parts that made her heart sing. He was difficult, but then, so was she. "Yes."

Her mother nodded. "It's… you never know, until after you're married. Who the person you're married to is. I was so lucky with your father. I just want the same for you and Elana." Elibra made a rueful face. "If I'd known so many dragonriders would be here, I would have asked if one of them would be able to pick up your sister. I know she would have wanted to be here."

There were a few people whose faces she dearly missed in the crowd. "I wish she was here, too," Alina said. Even though her twin had made her feelings about J'ackt well known to Alina, she missed sharing her party with her twin all the same. It felt odd to be back at home but not see Elana there.

"How is she faring?" Elibra asked.

Alina hesitated again, reluctant to tell her mother that Elana had asked her not to visit. But she had letters from her, and that was better than nothing. "She is well enough. She does mending for the Lord Holder's family, as well as a few others. She's always been good with a needle."

Elibra smiled. "I'm so glad. And if we're lucky, we'll have another wedding to arrange within the next Turn. I can't see Elana staying unmatched for very long."

"If all goes well." That led to another uncomfortable thought… if Elana kept her dragonriding sister a secret, would she even get to go to the wedding? Or see her sister afterward? Alina shook it off. "Thank you for the quilt. I-- it means a lot to me."

"You're a daughter of Nadol." Her mother held out her arms and enfolded Alina into another hug. "You remember that, no matter how far you fly from us."

Alina smiled. "I will."

Last updated on the October 26th 2019

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Where You Come From