Always Welcome Here

Writers: Ames, Suzee
Date Posted: 9th November 2010

Characters: Lisadi, Trewlin, Dareera, Darinfol
Description: Dareera's uncle, Darinfol, drops Dareera off and asks Lisadi to care for the child through the nights as well.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 11, day 14 of Turn 5

The sun was just peeking over the horizon. Lisadi was already up, with
a cup of Klah to warm her and refresh her for the day. Trewlin was
still snuggled under his covers, fast asleep as today was a free day
from his Harper classes. Lisadi would wake him when she had to, but
not yet. Oh, to be young again, she thought with a wistful smile.

Placing her cup on the table, she used a small mirror on the wall to
pin her hair up for the day. She expected Dareera and her uncle to
arrive any moment, as this was about the time he dropped the child off
each morn on his way to work. Since she and the children were all free
today, she had plans to take them outdoors for a nice day of fun and
play. She'd even promised Trewlin and Dareera that they could splash a
bit in the water and she'd teach them to swim if they wanted. She knew
they were excited, even though Dareera didn't say so. Her eyes lit up
when they spoke of it.

When the knock sounded on her door she wasn't surprised. Picking up
her cup, she moved to answer the door.

Darinfol held the little girl in his arms while she squirmed. She had
been yelling for 'Sadi' all night and had been for the last sevenday.
He yawned as he knocked on the door.

"Good morning," Lisadi said as she opened the door. Dareera all but
jumped from her uncle into Lisadi's arms. Lisadi chuckled and patted
the girl's back. "And how are you this morning my little Dareera?" The
little girl just hugged Lisadi tighter. Lisadi turned her eyes to
Darinfol. He looked tired, but perhaps it was just her imagination.
"Would you care for a cup of klah before heading to work, Darinfol?"
She stepped aside to allow him entrance into her quarters.

"Klah sounds wonderful but I don't have much time," he said with a
half smile. He watched his niece cling to the fosterer. His mind was
made up in that moment.

"Here, come in. I already have a fresh pot. It will refresh you before
you head off to a long day's work." Lisadi didn't take no for an
answer. She shifted Dareera onto one hip and bustled over to the
table, pouring a cup of klah for Darinfol. She turned and handed it to
him.

"Dareera, sweetheart, do you want to go play? Trewlin is in the other
room and I think he's already pulled out your favorites." Lisadi, who
was looking into the little girl's eyes, smiled. She saw Dareera's
eyes lite up as she nodded yes. Bending down, she placed Dareera on
the floor and watched as the little girl hobbled, still favoring her
bad leg, into the other room to join Trewlin.

"She's such a sweet thing, and she seems to be walking better
everyday. I'm sure she'll re-gain most of her mobility soon," Lisadi
said as she picked up her own cup and sipped the klah.

He watched Dareera as she seemed to perk up at the mention of her
playmate. She was valiant that little one and reminded him so much of
his sister it was almost painful. "She's so much like Lidara it's
hard to believe sometimes. It's hard to believe they're gone," he
sighed.

Then he seemed to cast of the reflective mood and accepted the warm
cup. He sipped the hot fragrant beverage and savored it. He'd be out
in the cold all day and this was a very pleasant way to start. He
nodded at her comment, "She doesn't seem to be in quite as much
pain... at least physically." His eyes darkened for a moment. "I
wanted to ask you something."

"Of course, Darinfol. Anything. I would do anything to help Dareera
and yourself after all you've been through. Children really are
resilient, aren't they," she added as she glanced towards the doorway
where the young girl had vanished. The sound of her giggle could be
heard where they were. Lisadi smiled.

He smiled too, for a moment and then the sadness and weariness
descended again. Dareera was the last of his family and he wanted to
be there for her, to raise her right but her nightmares tugged at his
soul. He couldn't concentrate on his job from the fatigue of sleepless
nights. "Lisadi, she needs you and she needs Trewlin. I think she
needs it most at night when she wakes and can't find her mother." he
stopped turning his hat in his hands a moment. "She calls for you... I
think." he stopped again. This was more difficult than he'd thought.
"I think it would be good for her to stay with you full time." There
he'd spat it out.

Lisadi set her mug down as she listened. Her eyes were only on
Darinfol. As he finished she turned and glanced to the doorway where
Dareera had gone.

"I will do whatever you think is best. You are her family and I was
informed by Lord Corowal that you would be the final decision maker
with regard to Dareera's future. I'm here for her in whatever way I
can be. If it would help you both, I can definitely take her in the
evenings, but you are her family. She will need you as well,
Darinfol." Lisadi reached out and placed her hand on his wrist. "I
love her, Darinfol, just like she was my own, but I fear that if she
thinks she's been left behind, it will destroy her."

"I know you do or I wouldn't have suggested it." he knew the little
one needed stability more than anything else at her age. "I'll still
come for her on restday. I don't want her to feel left behind anymore
than you do. I fear I cannot give a small child the comfort she needs
right now." It had been a very hard decision to make but the way she
clung to the foster mother every night had made up his mind for him.

He looked down at his feet and then said "Well, I guess I'll be going
now. I brought her things." he said as he swung the small pack off his
shoulder. "If she asks for me I will come, otherwise I'll be here on
on restday." He didn't smile, this was much harder than he'd thought
it would be.

"We'll always be here Darinfol. Come and join us anytime. Your always welcome here." Lisadi reached for the bundle of Dareera's things and gave his hand a gentle squeeze as she took them. Darinfol was part of her family now, too, just as Trewlin and Dareera were as well.

Last updated on the November 20th 2010

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