"When the Traitor and I spent time together, building that hut and building a runaway life, we…. We wanted to make it as official as possible. We… I… Mythrenniel, I'm pregnant."
Her torch fell to the ground, pounding against the paved walkway. Mythrenniel stood, shocked and stunned, at her friend's revelation. Hooded and cloaked, dressed in heavy black robes, Aurthiel turned her head away, closing her eyes in shame. The firelight from Aurthiel's torch continued to bathe the two in dim light under the starless sky. Mythrenniel was dealing with so many different emotions right now. Shock, disappointment, sympathy, sorrow… Her mouth gaped, eye wide. At last, she carefully chose her words.
"I… I knew you had settled down with him briefly. But…"
"…" Aurthiel opened her eyes. Blue tears were visible under the shadow of the black hood and orange flickering of the fire. "… It was reckless. I know."
Mythrenniel raised a hand to her temple, struggling very hard not to lash out at her damaged friend. She was shaking, struggling to comprehend what this meant and what it would do both mother and child. "Aurthiel, a child is a serious thing."
Aurthiel turned sharply to Mythrenniel. Her teary eyes were suddenly roaring like the torch fire. She threw her arm, "You don't think I don't know that! We put zero thought into the repercussions. We were so absorbed in running away together and being the family we always wanted to be. We were reckless and high on emotions! We decided to have a child, but it was not until we already conceived her that reality set in! I-I have no idea what I am to do, Mythrenniel! This poor, innocent child is going to grow up under the shadow of a treacherous father and depressed, drunk disaster of a bitter mother! I can't do this, Mythrenniel!"
Aurthiel's anger subsided as she fell weak. To Mythrenniel, she looked far older and withered than she ever had before. Tears flooded Mythrenniel's eyes as the jaded Noldo pleaded, "Please, I don't know how you could possibly help me, but help me! If not for me, then at least for your niece. I beg of you…"
From the boulders and tangle of large trees, a kergrim emerged from the shadows. The green gross beast lumbered on its two legs, gazing to Mythrenniel with dumb yet hostile eyes. Mythrenniel pulled her sword in front, keeping the torch behind her. A fire was the last thing she needed right now. The kergrim reached and tore a large chunk of dwarf stonework from the earthy ground. Despite having birthed two children and being weaker as a result, Mythrenniel knew how to fight by heart. She gracefully lept aside as the makeshift projectile was flung her way. Trails of firelight made a tail after her movements.
The high elf darted forth, towards the beast. The wild kergrim beat it's chest and hunkered down on all fours to rush towards her. Nimble and determined to live, Mythrenniel danced and dodged the kergrim's flailing limbs as she targeted and cut the creature's limbs. Striking certain muscles and ligaments, the greasy arms were rendered limb. Mythrenniel was put off guard when the animal lunged forth with a wide jaw. Mythrenniel jumped back, but realized something terrible... She was holding no torch!
She looked down to see that not only was the torch dropped and on the ground, but that some twigs already were on fire. She was about to stomp out the fire, but the kergrim lunged again. Mythrenniel dodged and grimaced. This needed to end. Now.
She sheathed her sword. Using her lithe frame to its full potential, she turned and parkoured up some vines and rocks. When she was high enough and facing the kergrim's back, she lept off. Brandishing her sword again, she swung a forceful, clean cleave at its neck. Feet slamming against the kergrim's broad, bumpy back, the spinal chord was severed in the nape, killing it instantly. As the body fell, Mythrenniel rolled off and landed on her knee, foot, and hand.
The kergrim's heavy body slammed into the floor, shaking everything nearby. Yet, the sound of crackling and snapping was far louder to her. Mythrenniel arose to see that indeed, a large portion of the outlying vegetation was ablaze.
"No..."
Mythrenniel turned and darted to her feeble crops. Forgoing putting anything in her already filled basket, she tore root vegetables up and yanked fruit off if vines. She was unable to save her planting project now, so she had to take everything she could. Barely able to pick up the original basket of goods, Mythrenniel's arms were full of food as she ran for the door, leaving the growing inferno behind.
Surviving here had just become a lot more difficult.
