Where Difyr treats most of her male patients. it is right next to the larger, main healing room.

Difyr was glad she did not have any male patients at the moment so Nelek and his family could have some privacy in this room. She helped Nelek get settled on a pallet. "I'll have some hot water for bathing sent up. If you need anything I will be just next door."

"Thank you," Aislyn said, finding a bed to sit on.

Nelek smiled weakly at Aislyn.

"Why don't you lay down and get some rest?"

"I'm already laying down." Nelek said, quietly admiring how beautiful Aislyn was.

'So you are." Aislyn sat on the floor next to the bed. Kadelyn was curled up on her lap.

Nelek drew Aislyn closer and massaged her shoulder.

Aislyn smiled and leaned backwards. "That feels so good. I wish you would have had a better homecoming."

"I just wish Erich and Peter..." Nelek sighed and continued massaging Aislyn's shoulders. "We still have each other."

"For all the good that will do us. Who knows how long I will be confined here and then if there's a trial...everyone saw me go mad and kill that man."

"We're together now, I think Difyr will do everything she can to make sure we get to stay together." Nelek's fingers gently worked at the tension at the base of her neck. "You have been under a great strain, for years, and suffered a terrible loss. No one can blame you for snapping."

"That man's family can. What if he had small children who were relying on their father?"

"He seemed to have too much time on his hands to have a family. He wasted an awful lot of time insulting you and our Millie." Nelek said, he kissed the back of Aislyn's neck.

"I know, but everyone's been under such stress. I should have handled it differently."

"How? By allowing him to continue harassing you and insulting our family?" Nelek asked. "If I had been there I would have killed him myself."

Aislyn shrugged. "I could have sent one of the girls for a knight."

"I don't think I would have thought of that in the heat of the moment." Nelek noticed there was a lot of tension in her shoulders still. He tried to make her relax. "Remember the time we got carried away in the lobby?"

Aislyn blushed lightly. "Yes. We seemed to get carried away a lot."

"I'll never forget looking up and seeing your father's face." Nelek laughed. "I thought I was going to die of embarrassment. It was one of the few times Lia didn't barge in."

Aislyn laughed. "But at least Papa liked you."

"I'm not sure if he liked me that moment, but at least we were married so he wouldn't kill me." Nelek's eyes shined at the memory. "We'll have times like that again."

"I would like that. I have been terribly lonely these past few years."

"When I'm stronger I'll make it up to you as best I can." Nelek promised in a whisper, his lips brushing against her ear.

"I know you will," Aislyn whispered. She reached up for his hand.

Nelek wrapped his fingers around her hand and gently squeezed it. He brought her hand to his lips, gazing in her eyes.

Aislyn smiled wistfully and leaned her head in the best position she could find to be somewhat close to him.

Lek came into the room, hoping to find Millie. Instead he found his parents getting very close. Lek blushed a little, then coughed.

Aislyn straightened up. "Hello, Lek."

"Hello." Lek said. "Has Millie been here?"

"No, I haven't seen her. She mentioned taking a walk to stretch her legs."

"Oh." Lek said.

"You might try the kitchen though, she hasn't eaten very much since she's been taking care of Pinja."

Lek's shoulders jerked slightly at the mention of Pinja's name.

Aislyn reached for his hand.

"I want to help her." Lek said.

Aislyn glanced at Nelek. "What do you have in mind?"

Lek shrugged. Either his parents would not approve, or they would give their blessings. He figured he could get their blessings later in case they did not approve. "I'm going to find Millie."

Aislyn was puzzled. "All right."

Lek hurried out of the room.

Nelek frowned. "Should we be concerned?"

"Probably. If he's thinking of...he's going to have a rough road after all she's been through."

"You think he's going to try to do for her like Aron did for Lia?" Nelek asked.

"That's what I'm thinking. The big difference here is that Aron and Lia had known each other for years and she was well aware of his feelings for her."

"Yes." Nelek said. "Aron and Lia were also older..."

"Yes," Aislyn agreed. None of her children had ever given her cause to worry about their choices and actions, but it seemed the twins were at that age.

"Do you think she will reject him?" Nelek asked.

"I don't know her very well, but I saw the condition Jack left her in during the raid. I saw her willing herself to die and I've seen her cower every time a man entered the healing room. She very likely will reject him."

"If she's so afraid of men might she too scared to reject him?" Nelek was worried, that was no way to starf a marriage.

"I'm thinking she's more likely to run off from him, if she's able."

"She looked really weak." Nelek said.

"Fear can give strength though."

"I would have to be really, really scared to get up and run now." Nelek admitted.

"Well, thankfully right now you shouldn't have anything to fear."

Nelek sighed.

Aislyn rested her head against his hand.

"I'm sorry for taking so long, things came up... and kept coming up." Difyr set the pot of water next to the screen in front of the small wash tub. "It was just boiling, you'll need to add a lot of cold water. It's here." Difyr led Oscar to an empty pallet and had him lay down.

Oscar curled on his side, groaning.

In reply to Difyr Bateman (msg # 57):

"That's all right Difyr. I know how things can get." Aislyn gently nudged the sleeping Kadelyn. "Bath time. I just wish I had something clean to put on you."

"I might have a slip that will fit her." Difyr said. "I'll be back shortly."

Difyr headed to the next room where she kept her tea things.

Difyr returned with a slip and a cup of ginger tea. She gives the tea to the boy, then offers Aislyn the slip.

"It will be big but it's clean. Maybe Millie can adjust it."

Aislyn nodded. "Thank you. I'm sure Millie can and until she can find, I'm sure I can fix something up for her. All right, sleepy head, time for your bath."

"If you need anything I should be back next door in a little while. I have a couple other patients to see to." Difyr said and headed off.

Oscar began to feel better. He got up and snooped around for food.

Vikki Buckley came in with her siblings, crying her little eyes out.

Aislyn looked up from scrubbing Kadey. "Vikki? What's wrong, dumpling?"

"Mama and Papa hate each us and are making us go away from them!" Vikki wailed.

"What?!" She glanced at Nelek. "Your Mama and Papa don't hate any of you, dumpling, I promise you that," Aislyn replied.

"They yell at each other!" Vikki sobbed.

"Sometimes parents fight, when they can't agree on what's best for their wee ones. They'll straighten it out."

"Mama is gonna kill Papa!" Vikki wailed. "Then she's gonna fall and die and I'll be all alone forever."

"Your Mama would never kill your Papa. But I assure you, you will never be all alone." She wiped her wet hands on her apron and reached out for Vikki.

Vikki threw herself into Aislyn. Anything else Vikki tried to say was made unintelligible with sobs.

Aislyn wrapped her arms around Vikki and held her close. She kissed the top of her head.

Nelek gave Aislyn a puzzled look. "Aron and Lia seemed to be getting along fine during our journey here."

"They've been fighting a lot. But they have just as many periods of peace." Aisyn rubbed Vikki's back.

"I guess I was too concerned with getting back to you and the children to notice if anything was wrong between them." Nelek said.

"They may have been fine while they were with you. It just flares up. It used to be occasionally, now it's growing in frequency."

"Their relationship has always had a lot of... challenges." Nelek said.

"Yes, it has. And it seems like they are growing apart." She glanced down at Vikki. "We'll discuss this later," she said as she snuggled her niece closer.

Vikki continued to cry inconsolably.

"Can you dry Kadey off and get her into that shift?" Aislyn asked of Nelek.

Nelek picked up a drying cloth and went to help Kadelyn out of the tub.

Kadey put her arms up in the air and reached for him.

Nelek wrapped Kadelyn in the towel as he lifted her from the tub. "I knew you were somewhere under all that dirt."

Kadey giggled, "Papa silly!" she exclaimed with a giggle.

"Regular bedtime and regular meals sound like god ideas." Wulfsen said as he opened the door.

"I thought so." She stepped in the room. "Oscar? Are you in...oh I'm sorry for interrupting, Aunt Aislyn, Uncle Nelek."

Oscar was snooping around the room for food. He had found some broth and drank every last drop.

"There you are," Sileas  called, hearing the tell tale sound of slurping. "Oscar! It's not polite to eat other people's food! You wouldn't like it if someone at yours!"

"If I didn't eat uvver blokes's food I would starve ter deaff! Right!" Oscar exclaimed.

"You will not starve, I promise you. All you are going to do is to continue the cycle of eating and throwing up. Where's the joy in that?"

"I won't be 'ungry." Oscar sniffled.

"Not unless you've already cleared out the kitchen and we have to wait for supplies tomorrow."

"There's still food in the bleedin' kitchen." Oscar said sullenly.

"Good. Now, we will go fix a basket of things to take to our rooms and retire for the night." She turned to Wulfsen. "Can you arrange for some bath water and two more beds for my rooms?"

For some reason Wulfsen blushed like a schoolboy. "Of course."

Sileas grinned. She of course wanted the bath water for Oscar, it would probably take several hours to scrub the grime and dirt off. She hoped her mother was still in her rooms, she would need help with it. "Thank you."

Oscar's eyes widened. "Will there be soap?"

"Yes, and if you don't cooperate, I'll make certain it has a girl's scent too."

"Soap eats off skin! Honest guv!" Oscar cried.

"Rose petals and rose scented oils it is then." Off course, Sileas had no way of knowing they actually had any. "Then you can smell very pretty," Sileas teased.

Oscar ran from the room.

"Oscar! Get back here right now." She glared at Wulfsen for not helping and took off after him.

Oscar ran, screaming about drowning murder.

"Oscar! If you do not return this instant and cooperate, I will revoke your kitchen privileges. Mama will put everything up far too high for you to reach."

Oscar slowed for a moment, then decided he could just find a box to stand on. He resumed running.

"And the cabinet doors will be locked. Mama will be the only one with a key."

Oscar thought it was time he learned how to pick locks. He kept on running.

"Oscar! Now! Get back here!" Sileas demanded.

Oscar was the sound of distant footsteps on the wind...

Sileas' shoulders slump. "I will be a horrible mother," she whispered, watching him disappear. There was no way she could possibly catch up to him.

Wulfsen was also stunned. "I have never seen anyone move so fast before."

A tear streaked silently down her cheek. "I guess I'll only need one additional bed. For now, I guess I'll return to my room and apologize to Yehudit."

"Don't worry, we'll find him." Wulfsen squeezed Sileas's shoulders.

Sileas nodded slightly but was silent for a moment or two. "I'm going to be a failure as a mother. I did so well with the children in class that I thought I would be a wonderful mother. I suppose it just goes to show." She shrugged lightly before letting her shoulders slump.

"You'll be a great mother." Wulfsen massaged Sileas's shoulders. "Oscar's just... afraid of baths. We'll find him."

It was nice to know he had faith in her. Hopefully enough faith for the both of them. Sileas leaned in against him.

Wulfsen kissed her neck. "Come on."

Sileas stifled a sniffle as she walked beside him. She was still stunned she couldn't reason with the boy.

Lek came into the room, looking unhappy. He slumped in a chair near his parents' bed.

Nelek gently tapped Aislyn to wake her.

"I don't wanna wake from this dream. It's too wonderful being with my husband and little one again."

"Aislyn, wake up." Nelek said, touching her cheek.

"Wanna stay here with Nelek and Kady. Safe," she mumbled.

"It's real, wake up." Nelek gently shook Aislyn's shoulder. "I think our son needs us."

Aislyn sighed and opened one eye.

Lek sniffled. "I ruined every chance I could ever get."

"What do you mean, darling?"

"I asked Pinja to marry me..." Lek confessed.

"Marry?" Aislyn sputtered. "That was a sudden move to make."

"Maybe if I'd said something to her before the raid..." Lek hunched his shoulders.

"Sweetling, I don't know that it would have helped. Jack inflicted so much damage before she even arrived at the village," Aislyn said softly.

"I want to help her." Lek said.

"I know you do, darling. But it does pain me to say that sometimes, sometimes people can't be helped, because they are too broken."

"There has to be something I can do." Lek said.

"If I think of anything, I will let you know." Aislyn sighed. Her son seemed set on the path of a fool's mission.

Lek buried his face in his hands.

"You have to be patient." Nelek said. "Your mother and I did not even discuss getting married until we had known each other for quite some time, and things were... less complicated... for us."

"We don't have much time, in just a couple of months..." Lek was miserable. "I let her know I wouldn't touch her if that was what she wanted."

"Darling, she may not even be planning on keeping the babe. There are far too many unknowns involved in this."

That had not even occurred to Lek, he was so intent on raising the child to help her. "Oh."

"I know you care about Pinja, we all do. But I don't know if she would ever be able to make a real marriage with you."

"I don't want a real marriage... I just want to help her." Lek said. "I love her."

"Oh, Lek, you deserve a real marriage. A woman who loves you,  a passel of children. A future."

Lek flushed. "All I want is her. We could always adopt more kids like Uncle Shawn and Aunt Brie."

"True, but what is a marriage if there is no love?"

"I love her." Lek was starting to get angry.

Aislyn sighed and looked helplessly at her husband. She wanted her son to be loved too.

Nelek was not sure what to say either. "Son, you're both really young... There's no rush."

"I'm joining Wulfsen's knights." Lek said. "Next time there are evil men I want to be able to kill them."

The color drained from Aislyn's face. "What? No!"

"I'm not going to let what happened t home happen again." Lek said. "I think I'm going to go with them to the ruins today."

"Please don't do this Lek, you're not a warrior," Aislyn pleaded.

"I killed a bad man before... When I'm a knight I'll know how ot fight." Lek said. "Uncle Shawn said it was a good idea."

"What?!?" Aislyn roared. She surged to her feet.

"He wouldn't let me kill Jack... But said if I was a knight I could do more things." Lek said.

Aislyn frowned. "I'm sure he only meant for learning to defend yourself, not to go off and be a knight. Besides, I think you need to be of noble lineage for that."

"I'm joining them. I already put my name on some forms." Lek said stubbornly.

"I will speak with Wulfsen." Aislyn headed for the door.

"Aislyn!" Nelek called. He was not sure if he was strong enough to chase her, but she was not supposed to leave the room.

"My son will not be joining the knights," she grumbled as she opened the door.

"I'm old enough to join them, more than old enough!" Lek protested.

"I'll not lose any of my remaining children, especially not in battles," Aislyn steamed, stepping into the hallway.

"Ais- you're not supposed to leave this room!" Nelek called.

Aislyn paused and turned. "But I need to speak with Wulfsen!" she exclaimed.

"We can try sending someone for him..." Nelek said.

"Who? I can't send Lek, he would press his case before I got the chance to speak with Wulfsen!" Aislyn was frantic.

"Difyr is right next door." Nelek said, trying to calm Aislyn.

"She has patients to tend to. And I would still need to leave the room to find her."

"Bang on the wall, she'll hear you." Nelek said.

Aislyn was skeptical but stepped back inside. She walked over to the shared wall and pounded on it.

Difyr burst into the room. "What's the matter?"

"I need to speak with Lord Thornblade. My son has lost his mind and thinks he should join up to be a knight," Aislyn replied in a rush of words.

Difyr blinked. "What?"

Aislyn sighed. "Wulfsen is the only one who can stop Lek from doing something foolish. He has taken a notion to being a night. Lek can't fight. He'll only get himself killed, and I'll lose my son."

"They'll teach me how to fight Mama!" Lek said.

"You're not a fighter at heart, sweetheart. You don't have the instincts. There could be battles before you are ready. I can't lose another child," Aislyn wailed. "I can't."

Lek scowled. "I'm not a child anymore, I'm not going to get killed."

"That statement right there proves my point. You will be cocky and reckless."

Difyr could tell Aislyn was getting worked up, which was really bad. When she was worked up yesterday she stabbed a man to death. "Why don't you sit down and I'll bring you some tea... Then I'll go find Wulfsen."

"I would rather you get Wulfsen first," Aislyn said stubbornly, pacing back and forth.

"The tea is already made." Difyr said.

Aislyn glared. "Wulfsen first."

Difyr sighed, she was hoping to delay until someone brought up breakfast so there would be someone to watch her patients. "Fine."

"Thank you, Difyr. I'll be right here by the door waiting," Aislyn said.

Difyr hoped it would not take long to find Wulfsen and wished that Aalyssa was back.

Wulfsen came into the room. He was hoping that Aislyn would calm down and be able to go free, but it sounded like she was still worked up.

"Oh, thank goodness. Lord Thornblade, I humbly request your assistance. Please tell my son he cannot become a knight. I can't bear the thought of losing another child."

Wulfsen's shoulders sagged. "IT would be years before he could become a knight or see battle."

"He is already cocky with the idea. I worry he'll become reckless the moment he learns any fighting at all and try to take someone on. Lord Thornblade, I know you don't know my son well. But, Lek, he's not a fighter."

"He'd be taught discipline right off." Wulfsen said, wishing he was with Sileas.

"What if he is injured during training?" Aislyn asked worriedly.

"Injuries from training are usually minor." Wulfsen said.

Aislyn was not deterred. "Please, tell him he's not qualified. That he's starting too late. Something. Anything."

Difyr came in with the tea.

"Sit down." She told Aislyn.

Her pleading gaze never leaving Wulfsen, Aislyn sat down. "Please, Lord Thornblade."

Wulfsen sighed. He really could not come up with a reason to force Lek besides his mother not wanting him to be a knight.

Aislyn was frantic and near tears. The cup of tea tipped, spilling on to the floor. "I don't want to lose my only remaining son."

Wulfsen looked at Mrs Buckley. She had already lot half of her children, he could not blame her for not wanting to let Lek go.

"I will take him on as my page." Wulfsen offered. "I will protect him."

Aislyn studied Lek. Realistically she knew she couldn't...shouldn't...hold him back. He needed to grow and it was past time for him to become a man. Her shoulders slumped. "Take good care of him, please."

"I'll protect him as well as I can." Wulfsen promised.

Aislyn wrung her hands in front of her, so tightly they were white with lack of circulation. She nodded solemnly, keeping her head lowered so Lek wouldn't notice her tears.

"I'll be okay, Mama." Lek said, slightly puffing out his chest.

"You had better be. You heed every instruction Lord Thornblade gives you and keep yourself safe," Aislyn said softly. Unable to resist, she pulled him in for one last tight hug.

"Mama!" Lek protested, blushing. Lord Thornblade was right there!

Aislyn kissed the top of his head before releasing him. "Come visit when you are able."

Lek was too mortified to speak.

"Kiss your mother!" Wulfsen ordered.

Aislyn stepped back so Nelek could speak with him.

Lek obediently pecked his mother's cheek.

Aislyn smiled and bent down to scoop up Kadelyn.

Nelek was still weak, but he managed to clap his son's arm firmly.

"You have grown into a good young man, I wish I had been there for you." Nelek said. "Be careful, and do what Wulfsen tells you to. We have already lost too much."

Lek's eyes shone. "I will Papa."

"Part of being a page is caring for horses." Wulfsen said. "So I want you to go clean the stables, each and every stall. The stable hands can show you what needs doing. After you've done that and washed up come find me, I'll have something else for you to do."

Lek blinked. He had been looking forward to learning how to fight so he could defend Pinja if she was ever in danger again. How could shoveling out horse stalls protect Pinja? But he nodded and headed for the stable.

Wulfsen smiled. "I'll work him hard for a couple days, see how determined he is to do this. When he sees that this isn't all fun adventures he may quit."

"Part of me hopes he does, truthfully, a large part of me. But he does need to learn how to be a man."

"Not all men become knights." Wulfsen said. "I hope you feel better Mrs Gerthrim."

"Thank you, Lord Thornblade." She turned and nuzzled her daughter.

"I'll be going now." Wulfsen said, determined to see his betrothed no matter where Sileas was.

"If you're all set I will go see to my other patients." Difyr said.

"I believe we're good for now, thank you, Difyr."

"Call if you need anything." Difyr said, hoping that Aalyssa returned soon. She headed back to the other room.

Nelek slowly sat up. He smiled at Aislyn.

Aislyn sat down next to him, as close as she could get.

Nelek wrapped his arms around Aislyn and held her tight. "I missed you so much."

"I missed you too. I couldn't figure out what I had done that had made you leave us."

"I never would have left my family willingly." Nelek looked worriedly at Aislyn. "All this time with those mermen using my face... What have they done?"

"Aside for making me feel like a failure as a wife? There's a young girl in the keep somewhere that he kept as a prisoner for...well...wifely duties." Aislyn sighed. "And he nearly killed Millie, that's why she hasn't come to see you."

"I met her once, when I was chained on that island..." Nelek shuddered. "She told me he met her at a brothel. She seemed like a girl who deserved better than being abused. Did either of them... hurt you?" Nelek felt sick just thinking about how these mermen had hurt his family. "What can I do to make things right? I don't want Millie to be afraid of me."

"She's a very nice girl, even if I did not believe her at first when she said that he wasn't you. It was so far-fetched." Aislyn sighed and her eyes welled with tears. "I don't know how to set it right with Millie. I'm sure she knows and accepts it wasn't you who harmed her, but fear is not always rational."

"I wish I could see her." Nelek said.

"I know. But being stuck in here, I don't know how to work it. I can't go talk to her and she won't come here, Lek's tried."

"I feel strong enough to go to her." Nelek said. "But I think that would scare her even more."

"It would also terrify her friend Pinja, who she's been spending all of her time with." She explained what Pinja had been through at the hands of Jack and his family. "I suppose we could ask Difyr to send her over."

"The poor girl. She has no family on her side?" Nelek looked down. "I'd like to ask her to come, I don't want Millie to feel forced to come here."

"Her family basically sold her to that horrid Jack." Aislyn would happily have accepted Pinja into the family had she accepted Lek's proposal. "No, forcing her would not be good. I fear though if she wouldn't listen to Lek, she probably wouldn't be any more agreeable if Difyr suggested it."

Nelek sighed, feeling that he would never see Millie again.

Aislyn rubbed his arm, whispering a prayer that Millie would come around. "It's possible that once you're up and about, you'll run in to her you know. Don't give up hope."

Nelek kissed his wife. "I just thought getting back to my family would fix everything."

"Nothing's ever simple. And it doesn't help that I'm stuck in here." Aislyn rested against his shoulder. "I wish I had never lost my temper with that man."

"I'm sure he had pushed you." Nelek said soothingly.

"He did. He was just mean and nasty. But...it resulted in me being confined in this room. Once you and Kady can get your own room or house, it's going to be mighty lonely."

"I'm sure you'll be allowed out by then." Nelek soothed.

"I don't see how. It was murder, Nelek. I killed some one."

"It's not like you planned to kill him." Nelek said.

"I felt something snap inside. Everything had just been too much over the past few years, and I broke."

"I'm sorry." Nelek said softly.

"It's not your fault, please don't apologize. The past few years have been even harder on you."

"That doesn't mean it wasn't terrible for you." Nelek murmured.

"I know. I just think being abandoned on a rock, away from my family is much worse than feeling lonely and abandoned, despite being surrounded by my children, friends and family."

"Being away from everyone was the hardest part." Nelek admitted. "Millie... Has she any beaux?"

"I wish. She's finally made a friend in Pinja, but no, no beaux. She's almost as lonely as she always has been. I'd give anything to see her eyes sparkle with happiness," Aislyn sighed softly.

"I'm sure she'll find someone if that's what she wants." Nelek said.

"In a perfect world. I think she wants it, but I also think she's given up," Aislyn said, stacking their empty dishes on the tray for when Difyr returned for them.

"Hadn't you given up?" Nelek asked.

"Yes, but I had at least tried. I was never as lonely as Millie was growing up. I had Brie and then Lia. Every effort Millie made in trying to make friends was rebuked. She's hiding behind a lifetime of rejections."

"She has a friend now though, doesn't she?" Nelek asked.

"Yes, she finally has a friend," Aislyn said with some relief. "And that is a good thing."

Nelek squeezed Aislyn's hand. "It will turn out all right."

Aislyn nodded before leaning against him. She wasn't accustomed to so much free time. Her mind was filled with thoughts of what she should be doing and feeling bad for Brighid, leaving all the kitchen work in her friend's hands, especially when she had a wee one to care for. Aislyn sighed.

Difyr knocked on the door before entering.

"Luka this is Nelek and Aislyn Gerthrim, their daughter Kadelyn." Difyr introduced, "Aislyn, Nelek, this is Luka."

Luka looked at the people inside the room and smiled. "Hello there I know I look scary but you have nothing to fear. I'm here to help." He turned to Nelek and examined his body for obvious signs of damage from the elements. Signs of trenchfoot, hypothermia, Pneumonia. He removed his cloak and centered the energy he had into his hand. "This will have a slightly warm feeling but not uncomfortably so."

He ran his hand along the length of Neleks body, pausing on areas where he felt more damage or corruptiuon. He channeled healing natural magics, intending to heal the external physical damage caused by the time in the elements without great shelter. "The Starvation could have caused minor damage on the inside of the stomach. If invasive treatments bother you..." He reached for his satchel and pull out a clump of dried roots. "Boil these into a tea or into a broth. Three times a day should suffice. It wont fill your stomach alone but it should cause further rot and give it time to heal." He staggered back a little as the sudden drop in energy hit him.

"Thank you." Nelek immediately felt stronger. He looked up from the herbs in his hands just in time to see the elf stagger. Nelek jumped to his feet to help steady him.

Aislyn quickly rose to help steady the elf. She couldn't believe the difference in Nelek. "Are you all right, sir?"

Difyr was about to remark on how nice it was to have another elven healer- when he staggered. She remembered how weakened Aalyssa would be after using magic to heal a serious injury or illness and hurried to help Aislyn steady him.

"Sit- do you need to lie down?" Difyr asked.

Millie stood outside the door to the room her parents were in. She wanted to go in and say good morning to her mother, but he was in there. And while she knew it hadn't been her father who had beaten her, and while she longed to greet him, every time she tried to imagine their reunion, all she could see was him raising his fist against her and calling her names. Millie hated the thought of never seeing her mother again, but she couldn't face him. She just couldn't. She let out a cry and walked away from the door, leaning against the wall near the door to the other healing room.

Nelek frowned. "Do I hear crying?"

Aislyn listened for a moment. "I believe so. It sounds like Millie," she said with worry, once again cursing herself for the stupid decision that had her trapped in this infernal room.

Nelek looked at the door. "I want to go to her."

Aislyn glanced at him. "You can try, but if she's already crying, she might be extra skittish. Just...don't be hurt if she runs off."

Nelek went to the door. He opened it and looked down the hall. He could see Millie crying. She looked so grown up.
"Millie?"

Millie froze and looked toward the door. Her feet felt rooted to the floor. She shouldn't have stopped, she shouldn't have come here...she should be able to face this. This must be how Pinja feels when men come near her. Her heart thudded against her chest. It was a terrible quandry. She missed her father and yet she feared him as well. Without moving, she finally said, "Yes."

"Can I help?" Nelek asked. He wanted to go to her, but he remembered the warnings.

"I..." Millie shook her head. "I don't know that anything can help. I wish it was something you could make all better." The little girl in her heart wanted to run to him, to be in her father's arms. But the fear was overpowering. "I don't know how to get past it." Millie was certain her mother had told him by now what had happened. There was even a part of her that wanted him to just come and hug her. Was it too simplistic to believe that that would erase the fear and pain? Her breath hitched.

Tears ran down Nelek's cheeks. She was afraid of him.

"I won't hurt you."

"I want to believe you. You have no idea how much I want to believe it. The little girl inside me believes you," Millie whispered. "I want to be in your arms, and let you make all this fear  go away. I don't like being afraid of you. I don't like it at all." Millie wiped at her eyes. "I hate being afraid of you."

"I should have been there." Nelek said. He took a step forward.

"You can't help that you were taken against your will," Millie whispered. She noticed the step forward but she didn't back away. She worried her lower lip. Finally she took one step toward him.

Without thinking, Nelek walked towards her with his arms outstretched.

Millie froze in place for a minute. The man who had taken her father's place had never come from a place of love or even caring, toward her. Her fears began to melt away and with a cry she ran into his arms.

Nelek hugged her. He had been so afraid that Millie would run from him he was overwhelmed with relief.

Tears streaked down Millie's cheeks as she wrapped her arms around him. "Oh, Papa," she cried against his shirt.

Pale-faced, Pinja staggered out of the room. She saw a man holding Millie, and Millie's shoulders shook as if she was crying.

"Let her go!" Pinja demanded weakly.

Millie lifted her head and turned, surprised to see Pinja up and about. "It's all right, Pinja, this is my Papa. My true Papa," Millie said.

"Oh." Pinja leaned against the door frame. She was clearly still terrified. Her eyes were wide and she was trembling.

"Papa won't harm you, I promise. Papa, this is my friend, Pinja," Millie said, wiping again at her tears.

"Hello Pinja." So this was the girl his son wanted to marry. The girl who had been through so much and was supposedly in the family way. Nelek looked at her. She was a pretty girl, despite the cruel scars on her face. So thin, and she looked so fragile. Nelek released Millie from the hug to reach towards the girl, she was shaking so much Nelek was concerned she was about to fall over.

Pinja gave a scared cry and backed away too quickly. She fell over backwards.

Millie raced over to catch Pinja. "I will be right back, Papa, I'm going to help Pinja back to her palette," she said, holding her friend up.

Pinja made a small whimpering sound as she clutched Millie's arm. She knew that a man who raised Millie and Lek should be safe- but these days even Lek scared her.

"I thought he was hurting you." Pinja whispered.

Nelek could have kicked himself. If Pinja was so afraid of men that even Lek scared her of course she would be afraid of him- a complete stranger. He stayed in the hallway.

In reply to Pinja Esposito (msg # 292):

"I know you did," Millie said with quiet reassurance. "And I appreciate you wanting to protect me. I know it will take time, but I hope one day you will be able to be around Papa. He only meant to help you when it looked like you would fall over."

After a few moments Luka sat up. His arms were still shaking from the exertion. "That was...more than I thought." He got himself into a chair with aid from those in the room. "My thanks. Could I perhaps have a drink of water?"

"Of course. Are you sure you don't need to lie down?" Difyr held a cup of water to Luka. "Do you need food?"

Shawn knocked on the other door.

Difyr answered the door. "Hello Cap- Mr Spenser, good, I see you brought your wife with you."

"I did. We have a gentlman who is intending to take over the kitchen, so I finally managed to get her away from the stoves and ovens. She's just catching up with Nelek." He eyed Luka. "Is he all right?"

"He healed Nelek, and I think that took a lot out of him." Difyr explained. "Nelek is just about good as new."

"Ahh. I'm very glad he could help Nelek." He glanced around the room and spotted Kady. "Well, while we are waiting for Brie...", he headed over and scooped up his young niece. He hugged her tight.

Difyr smiled slightly. There was still some life.

Shawn covered Kadey with kisses, making her squeal with delight, her fat little arms wrapping around him for a few minutes before he sat her back down next to Aislyn.

Nelek returned to the room, Millie in tow.

Brie entered the room, smiling at Shawn's antics before he set Kadey down. Her fingers tightened around the handle of the basket her own, quickly growing, little one was sleeping in. How she wished she had been able to fight Jack and his family off, so she could have saved her babe. Shawn was such a good father, he deserved a large family.

Difyr invited the Spensers and Gerthims to sit in a corner where they had some privacy.

"This is about Pinja. She's with child, I don't think I have to tell you how that came about." Difyr said. "The babe will need a family."

"She doesn't want to keep the babe?" Brie asked instantly, then answered her own question. "Of course, she wouldn't not the way the babe would have come about and having no family to support her." Brie's heart ached for the loss of her two babes and Sarah. She knew Shawn ached to.  "Shawn? What do you think?"

Shawn took her hand. He would love to have another little one in their home. "How far along is she?" he inquired, hoping he could have the house built in time and at least the beginning of the farm rolled out. He looked at Brie. "My heart says yes if yours does."

"It must have happened during the raid." Difyr frowned, remembering how Pinja had told her that a midwife had been there. Difyr shook her head, the Spenser's didn't need to know about that.

Shawn nodded. That would give him plenty of time to have the house ready at the very least. He waited for Brie to answer.

Brie was considering it as Shawn asked questions. Though people would probably suspect it, it wasn't that they were trying to place the children they lost. But they were trying to fill at least one hole in their hearts. When Shawn finally said his heart said yes, Brie waited for Difyr to answer the question. "My heart says yes as well."

"Good." Difyr said. "You're both excellent parents and it will do Pinja good to know that the babe will have a family."

"We appreciate you thinking of us. If Pinja needs anything or any support during this, please, let us know. We will do anything we can for her to make things easier."

"I will." Difyr said. "She'll be too afraid of you, Shawn. But it might be all right if Brighid sees her."

"I understand. Hopefully her fear will abate one day," he said softly.

"Do you have any questions?" Difyr asked.

"As long as Pinja is agreeable, it seems fairly straight forward. If she is open to visits from me, I would be pleased to come sit with her from time to time."

"If you can go see her now that would be good, I want to ease her mind about what's going to happen as soon as possible." Difyr said.

"I'll wait right here, and then take you to what I want to show you," Shawn assured Brie.

Brie nodded. "I can indeed."

"C'mon." Difyr said and led Mrs Spenser to the next room.

-> To the Healing Room

Luke waved a hand at those who were gathered. "

I'll be fine. It's just been a few days since I ate properly. Who else is requiring healing?"

 He got shakily to his feet but his face was stern and obviously he was unwilling to stop until everyone was at least out of the worst of their ailments.

Shawn shook his head. "I'm fine except for some older injuries."

Oscar played with his shiv, tossing is in the air and catching it by the handle.

Sileas sighed. She may have continued stealing things after her adoption, and trained with her weapons, she wasn't so blatant with them. Hopefully they would be a good influence on her. "Here we are." She knocked on the door and poked her head inside. "Can we come in?"

"Hi Sileas." Nelek greeted.

"Hi, Uncle Nelek." She nudged Oscar in ahead of her. "Aunt Aislyn. This is Fi," she said, assuming Bai had followed her in. "And this is Oscar." She shifted her weight. "I wonder if I might leave Oscar with you for a while, I need to help Fi with something and then I need to resettle our rooms, if Wulfsen finds us a place."

"Sure." Nelek said. "Nice to meet you, Fi."

"Hi." Bai said, feeling even more awkward about being introduced to people as Fiametta.

"Oscar, this my Aunt Aislyn and Uncle Nelek. That means they'll be your aunt and uncle too. And that's their little girl, Kadelyn. We call her Kady for short."

Oscar looked at them. "I can wotch meself."

"I dare say you do look like a capable young man," Aislyn said. "But these are dangerous times right now, so it's best to stay with others until things are settled."

"I can be dangerous." Oscar said, brandishing his shiv.

Aislyn couldn't help her smile. Oscar reminded her so much of Sileas when she first arrived. "Uncle Nelek and I could use your protection then. We're frightened of what's going on. We would feel ever so much better with a brave young man here to protect us."

Oscar considered it. "I need a bit of food."

"Oscar, you just ate," Sileas admonished. "A lot. And I bet you got more after I left the kitchen."

"I need more food." Oscar insisted.

The boy was simply going to eat until he popped. "I'll bring you something before I go looking for new rooms. Right now I have to help Fi with something important. You will survive a few minutes on what you've already eaten."

Oscar slumped to the floor, pretending to have starved to death.

Sileas rolled her eyes. Then she laughed whe Kady rummaged for a left over roll from breakfast and tossed it at Oscar's head, the roll bouncing off.

Bai winced and touched his stomach.

Sileas was not looking forward to when Kady was old enough for school. "Well, there's a roll for you Oscar," Sileas informed him.

Oscar sprang to life and devoured the roll.

Kady wailed and threw herself at her father. "He...he...he ate my roll!!!!!!" she wailed.

"Kady!" Nelek tried to calm her. "You threw it at him!"

"He wasn't s'posed to eat it, Papa. I just wanted him to stop complaining about food!" Tears steamed down her cheeks.

"There are more rolls." Nelek said soothingly.

Kady reached for plate of rolls, grabbed one and aimed for Oscar's head again. "You meany, eating my roll!" she shouted as she let the roll fly.

Oscar caught the roll in his mouth, and ate it too.

Kady wailed even harder. "PAPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! DO SOMETHIN'!"

"If you keep throwing food at him, he's going to eat it." Nelek said, trying not to laugh.

"But...but...but....I don't want him to eat it!!!! I want him to throw it back!" Kady sputtered.

"Food isn't a toy." Nelek said.

"I no have any toys, Papa," Kady sniffled. "I has nothing to play with by myself or with him. All I has is rolls."

Nelek sighed.
"I'll see what toys can be found."

Kady sniffed and wiped at her nose with her sleeve.

"Cramps!" Bai complained. "Better get going."

"Thanks for wa...thanks for letting Oscar protect you. I'll try to not be long," Sileas said. "Let's go, right next door."

Oscar waved his shiv from where he lay on the floor, waiting for more rolls.

Nelek gave the shiv a nervous look.

Kady toddled over to Oscar. "Wassat?" she asked, pointing at his shiv.

"Me shiv." Oscar said proudly, he tossed the knife in the air, it spun end of end and Oscar caught it by the handle as it came back down.

"Ooooh!" Kady exclaimed, sitting on her butt and clapping. "Again! Again! Show me how!"

Oscar spun the knife, then he threw it and it stuck to a knot in the wood on the wall.

Kady clapped again and bounced up and down excitedly. "Me want one. Me want to try."

"What the- Aislyn!" Nelek sat up straight.

Aislyn was writing down a recipe that had been formulating. "What?"

Nelek was so shocked by the knife play that he had trouble getting words out.

"Kady! Come here!"

"Me try, Mama! Me try! Me wanna!"

"No playing with knives!" Nelek finally gasped.

"But Papa!" Kady wailed. "I wanna be friends with him, and I gotta know how to!"

"He shouldn't be playing with knives either." Nelek said. "Knives aren't toys."

"Papa!" Kady wailed again, even louder.

Nelek looked at Aislyn. "Maybe we should get that away from him."

Aislyn eyed Oscar. Yes, Sileas had been a street kid when she joined the family, but she hadn't been a boy. "Any ideas on how? I think he knows how to fight."

"Did any of the children try to play with knives while I was... away?" Nelek asked.

Aislyn shook her head. "No. I have the feeling she is reaching out due to losing her siblings, and Oscar here is throwing things. I suspect she's trying to connect with him."

Nelek wished Sileas let them know that Oscar played with knives before leaving him for them to watch.

Aislyn found a roll. "Oscar? I'll trade you this roll for your knife."

"Me shiv can cop us more biscuits, even a 'oole loaf of bread!" Oscar said, tightening his hold on the shiv.

"There's no shortage of rolls or bread around here. You'll soon learn you won't starve and you don't have to steal. Sileas's mother is always making bread and rolls. Once she and Shawn have a place, you'll see. And it won't take a knife...shiv...to get it."

"It can cop us more than just bread! Struth!"

"My point is, you no longer need to cop anything. You will be provided for, believe me."

"I need it for stabbin' and cuttin' blokes."

"But you no longer need to stab or cut anyone," Aislyn pointed out.

"Always need a shiv for stabbin' blokes." Oscar said.

"Well you don't need to while you're here with us. Kady is too small to play with knives, so please bring it here. I'll hold on to it until Sileas returns for you."

Oscar stubbornly shook his head.

Aislyn gave him the look that even kept her husband in line.

Oscar stuck his shiv in his belt and ran away.

"Great," Aislyn grumbled. "Sileas will never trust me again."

Nelek groaned.

"I don't even know here to look for him."

"Every one is still getting to know the keep. By the time we know our way, the houses will be built. My guess would be that he's heading for the kitchen. He loves food and Sileas's rooms are beneath the kitchen."

"I don't know my way there." Nelek said.

Aislyn gave him directions to the kitchen. "In the rear of the kitchen, there is a partially obscured door. That leads to the basement where Sileas' rooms are."

"Ok, hopefully I can find him." Nelek said. He gave Aislyn a kiss and headed out to find the boy.

Nelek still needed to put on more weight but he was looking much better. He was happy and excited. His wife was released today and he could not wait to go back to having a normal life with his family.

Aislyn was happy and grateful to be released. But even more grateful for the return of her husband. "Are you sure you feel up to going to the feast?"

Nelek squeezed Aislyn's hand.

"Yes. I'll go easy on the food, pass on the rich stuff, eat slowly." Nelek said. "I'll probably be too busy talking to people and playing footsie with my beautiful dinner companion to eat too much."

Aislyn grinned. "All right. Millie brought some clothes for us on her supply run to Portside, since she didn't have time to make things for everyone."

"The last time I had dressed up was the last time I took you out for dinner at the inn." Nelek said. "Brie watched the children, they spent the night at the Spensers I believe. You were the blue dress with a low neckline."

"It's been that long, hasn't it?" She reached for the clothing hanging on the door and handed Nelek his. "It's time for new beginnings."

"It was a wonderful night. I think I'll remember it forever." Nelek said and began changing his clothes. He fumbled with all the buttons on his new dress tunic.

Aislyn slipped into her dress, grateful that Millie had chosen one that laced up in front on the bodice. She glanced at Nelek. "Do you need some help?"

What buttons Nelek had managed to fasten were not aligned right. He smiled sheepishly. "It's been a while."

Aislyn stepped over in front of him and started fussing with the buttons. "Something I've not had the chance to do in a while."

"I thought that would be taking it off, not putting it on." Nelek grinned.

"Both," Aislyn grinned.

Nelek's grin broadened. "Maybe after the feast... Clean clothes still feel so good after wearing those rags for years."

"I'll see if Brie and Shawn can keep the children."
This message was last updated by the player at 02:52, Wed 27 Sept 2017.

"I'm sure they wouldn't mind for one night." Nelek said, gazing at Aislyn.

"Unless they want time alone before taking Oscar while she and Wulfsen are away. The boy's a handful."

"They'll take into account how long it has been since we had time alone." Nelek said.

"Yes, thought we also don't know what else they have to do to prepare for tomorrow."

"Maybe your brother..." Nelek was distracted by a lock of Aislyn's hair that was out of place. He went to smooth it back, but instead ran his fingers through her hair.

"A more likely possibility," Aislyn agreed.

Nelek nodded and took Aislyn's hand. "Are you ready to go?"

"I am," she said, slipping her hand into his. "It will be so good to get out of this room finally."

"Kiss for good luck?" Nelek asked.

Aislyn pulled him down and pressed her lips to his.

Nelek wrapped his arms around Aislyn and half fell onto a cot.

Aislyn's arms went around him. When the kiss ended, she swatted him lightly. "You naughty man, we have to get down to the hall."

"I must have tripped." Nelek said innocently, standing and offering Aislyn a hand up.

"Mmmhmm," Aislyn  chuckled as she took his hand.

Nelek headed for the door, and then the Hall.

Aislyn walked close beside him, enjoying her first taste of freedom.

Sileas entered the keep through the window to the room her aunt and uncle had been sharing, knowing they were at the main hall. She quickly barred the door and found a corner to sit in. She wrapped her arms around her midsection.

Sileas placed her hand over her abdomen. "I'm sorry baby. I thought we might have a future here. Once everything is quiet, we'll go to the stables and head out for Farthington. Grandmama and Grandpapa will be happy to have us. And they'll support and love us."

Nelek paused outside their door.

"How about I carry you over the threshold?" Nelek asked. He was still rebuilding his strength but he thought he could carry Aislyn as long as he didn't have to carry her too long.

"Why don't we wait and do that when our house is ready? It will have more meaning."

"Ok... can I at least get the door for you?" Nelek asked.

"Of course you may," Aislyn replied.

Nelek grinned. He went to open the door. But the door would not open.

His grin slipped off his face.