*She props her chin in her palm, her elbow square upon the long rich oaken table littered with tankards, her free hand occasionally stroking the head of her sleeping son who lays warmly against her chest within an ornate sling. Taking ink and quill, she begins to write in her cloth bound book*
Many days have we been here now, our gracious hosts allowing us their hospitality and the use of a sparse home. I have always marvelled at this place, how is it possible a people can create life from something as cold as stone. Ornate carved columns reaching beyond eyes gaze, furnaces burning with the heat of a dragons belly, jewels, so many jewels and precious metals placed in the most surprising and unassuming of places. If I had not been born under the shadow of the White Mountains, I would have adored being born here. Father, he too would delight in spending time amongst the Dwarves, so many secrets they keep and so terribly stubborn at keeping them.
*smiles to herself and takes a pause to kiss the forehead of her child, shushing him from restlessness to a soft slumber*
I hold what little family I have, dear to me. When apart from them my mind wanders to what they might be doing, if they are in good health, when I might next see them. My mother, each day these questions fill my mind without rest, oh how I need her, her guidance and her strength for I am sorely lacking in direction and courage. I have become tired, doubtful, irritable, laughter has eluded me often when the sound of it rings brightly around my ears, as if mocking me.
*shakes her head as if trying to clear a bad thought and takes a lengthy drink from a earthenware tankard*
The footsteps I heard I was to believe to be that of Yarassi, the shadow cast over the table, but the little hope I had was soon dispelled. Why should he arrive? my note stated I was well, that I love him, but then…
*falters and loses herself to thoughts before the clanging of a dropped metal platter brings forth her focus once more*
Then I thought it a ghost, the hair, the eyes, but with a much less haggard appearance. How astounded I was to see the son of my dear friend, to have Seaver sit at the table with Dern and I. Ale flowed and laughter finally graced me for the first time since my arrival to this wondrous place. I keep him close to me, too many secrets do we know of that simply cannot be allowed to escape, some I have not told my love, some I have, yet all dark or tainted. It is one reason I left, to be rid of secrets, to rid of sordid requests, to escape, to be at peace with myself.
*sighs and looks out across the ale hall, reaching for her empty tankard and attempting to take a drink from it she puts it down quickly with yet another sigh*
I wished us to come here, after we wed. Now I bring my son without my betrothed. I tire of waiting for something good, for a celebration to mask, to rid all the pain and heartache of late, death, madness, lies, pleas. So I grasped it! Rode forth with child and purpose to arrive and find everything a little less bright, a little less rich than when last I came here, tarnished, and my heart not finding what I hoped for. The snow seems not as white, the fires burn low, the jewels do not impress.
