• PM To Join • I Need You Now

[Vakhanor]

Ashan 13, 717

Shadows of regret clung to Vakhanor like the bloodied stench of rotting blood that dried into the core of old fabric, dark and a reminder of what he had done. Ashamed of himself, the smith swallowed his pride as he passed the bustling streets into the open countryside, adamant to see the woman whom he had grown to love and despise for the affliction of guilt and adoration that she imposed upon him.

Ever since the fall of his little brother, his heart had slowly and gradually been falling into turmoil and Elyna had been the rock that kept him from sinking, but there was something almost ironic about drowning in a sea of bloodshed that Vakhanor thought accurate punishment for the crimes he had committed.

Alone, sad and grieving the loss of an old friend, Vakhanor had originally turned his best friend away at the chance to talk to him. Anger had clouded his judgement and only now, was he finally willing to face the temptress again in the hope those feelings that he held so long ago drifted into the air. Vakhanor could not love a married woman, no matter how much he wanted to.

With a deep breath the smith could feel the cool, clean fresh air fill his lungs as he prepared himself for the moment of truth and curled his hand into a fist.

Knock, knock, knock...

The sound of his knuckles against the wooden door echoed across the valley that welcomed him with an eerie sense of discomfort. There was no telling how this was going to go or whether they would still remain friends afterward, but Vakh knew that if he could get away with saying good bye it was the easiest thing for him.

Vakh stepped away from the door and for a moment, he wondered what a life would be like with Elyna if there was nothing in their way and things weren’t so complicated. In the end there was only regret that it could not be.

[Malcolm]

Apprehension loomed over Malcolm, dread tightening in his stomach as he dwelled on the mission ahead. The nagging pain in his left shoulder had returned due to the cold, and with every thread of whirling thought his fingers nimbly stitched black cotton through thick wolf fur, binding the leathery fabric together with a great amount of difficulty. Prick after agitating prick he cursed his ineptitude, knowing that Elyna would have done a better job. At least the new blanket of wolf hide was coming together, and by the time he was in Warrick, Elyna would have a warm new cover for the bed.
A knock at the door saw him look up from his work, and in the silence that followed, a low crack from the fireplace reminded him that he was home alone. Malcolm set the needle down and got to his feet. He sheathed the dagger that had been left on the table and looked out through the bedroom window on his way to the door, followed by a glance at the kitchen. They hadn't been expecting anyone, but it wouldn't be unlike Benjamin, Kathryn or even Emily to show up without warning.
With the door pulled, he took one look at the man in front of him and stepped back, shoulders lowered. Malcolm wrestled with a few names in his head, but the right one failed to surface.
“Come in,” he relinquished his hold on the door to drift into the kitchen of the open planned house. “Elyna’s in the city.” He suspected she was the reason the man was here.

[Vakhanor]

Vakhanor’s steady train of thought was interrupted by a deeper sounding greeting than he had originally anticipated, standing in the doorway was not his old friend and instead, Malcolm Krome; the knight that killed his own wife. Ever since the day that Elyna had told Vakhanor that she was to marry the dishonoured baron of Krome the smith had been apprehensive of the union, however luck had it that he had encouraged his friend to follow her heart and he was glad she did.

“Cheers,” Vakhanor replied, bowing his head in respect to the man as he stepped through the door into the quaint little abode that the couple had made their home. Following Malcolm into the kitchen, Vakhanor studied the wood surfaces with avid curiosity, very little had changed since his last visit other than the fence outside and the gigantic barn. Not a noble house, but a house for the wealthy, there was even a stove.

“Right,” Vakhanor replied, lifting his head to meet Malcolm’s eyes with a friendly smile “I'm Vakhanor.” Although he knew of the man, they had never been formally introduced to one another. And, despite Vakhanor’s caution he appreciated the home the baron had made for Elyna. Hell, he actually admired the man for it.

Surprisingly the lack of Elyna’s presence gave the smith feeling of momentary relief, he was not looking forward to his visit with her and had been expecting the worst. At least with this he could see and know that he did the right thing by putting some distance between them for one reason or another. This man, although may be guilty of similar sins to he, he did not deserve to have his woman betray him.

[Malcolm]

“Right,” Malcolm echoed, that was his name, Vakhanor.
The stranger had trained his eye on Malcolm, and rather than hold his gaze, Malcolm turned his eye to the horizon, staring out through the kitchen window. Elyna had been out all morning, but there was no telling what time she would return.
Soon his hands were busy, fixing a cup of tea for his guest, though the pace at which he worked did not quite match that of his mind, which toiled with a number of matters. The most keen of which was the thought of this man kissing Elyna, or had it been the other way around? Malcolm paused to let the tea brew and carried the steaming mugs over to the table where they were set down with care.
It was Malcolm’s turn to look, and to wonder, what was it this man had that he didn't. The two of them were tall and of similar build, and like Malcolm, Vakhanor harboured a pair of rather striking eyes. The stranger wasn't quite as dark of feathers, and appeared leaner in the limbs. Perhaps, whatever it was Vakhanor possessed, Malcolm thought to himself, existed only in the mind of his lover.
Seconds turned into minutes, and before long, the idea of trying to make small talk seemed irrelevant, with too much time having passed for it to still be polite. When Malcolm could no longer stand the silence, he set his cup of tea aside and folded his arms.
“What brings you to my home, Vakhanor?”

[Vakhanor]

Ignorant to the rising tension Malcolm held toward him, Vakhanor leant back against the counter and relaxed “Came to apologise for being a dick,” Vakh replied with all honesty. The smith knew he wasn't a great liar and it wouldn't get him anywhere. The pleasant smell of the herbal tea filled his nostrils, mixed with the aroma of fresh flowers that giving cottage a storybook atmosphere.

Vakhanor lowered his gaze to the wooden floor, there was no telling what would have happened if he had stuck around. Whatever it was, he knew it wouldn't have been good for him or Ely, but time had cleared his head. “Got angry at your wife for making stupid choices.” A strange feeling overcame Vakhanor, he had hoped Malcolm knew about the work of Elyna’s odd and discomforting impulses. Vakhanor figured he must of, given they were married and he was the man of his friend’s dreams. As she had worded it a long time ago when she was going to be forced into a marriage she didn't want, this man was the piece of happiness she gave everything up for.

For just a moment, warmth entered Vakhanor’s expression. Elyna must have given birth by now, to live in this house with a newborn baby and the man she always wanted. At least one of them was happy and Vakhanor was thankful to Malcolm for giving that happiness to her, for better or for worse his character. “Thanks for bringing her happiness, she was lost without you.” he said finally, folding his arms as he turned his head to look at the view.

[Elyna]

Ember trotted over the hard ground, throwing up clumps of frost covered earth from the packed road. Pale sun washed the road in soft light and the first buds of blossoms appeared in white flecks on the trees. The Skyrider could smell wood smoke and see it rising from the chimney between the trees. The road curved before the house on the hill came into view with the barn beside it. The horse slowed without asking picked a careful route towards the open paddocks where Mithril grazed.

Elyna missed the sight of Red, looking up at Ember, as though her mare was coming home to him. It had been Malcolm’s choice though and he’d sold the gelding in favour of the beautiful pale hose with dappled flanks. A horse that Elyna kept her distance from. Unwilling to make another friend, only to lose it again. She dismounted, with a sling wrapped across her chest. Elise peering over her left shoulder, fingers curled in her hair. It was the work of just a few minutes to remove the basket from the front of the saddle and set it down. Then unfasten the saddle and bridle and nudge Ember into the paddock.

Horses secure, Elyna opened the basket and Vara popped out, tongue lolling form her mouth as she peered at the paddock and scrambled out of the basket. As Elyna put the tack away in the barn, the puppy ran circles around her feet. Yapping with excitement before darting off to sniff something new. It had been a few days since Elyna had been home, preferring to spend some time in the city. Elsie bounced against her back and the woman knelt, unfastening the sling and setting her daughter down in the straw.

“Dadadadada!” Elise insisted.

“Yes,” Elyna agreed, “Dadad’s inside.”

They walked towards the house, Elyna holding Elsie up by the hands, bent double to support her as she placed one careful foot in front of the other. Her little legs weren’t strong enough yet to stand alone, but she was determined to walk. Soft leather shoes covered her feet as the toddler fixed her gaze on the door. Vara bounced around the pair of them before diving into a puddle, splashing Mother and Child with a spray of mud. Grimacing Elyna opened her mouth to scold the puppy, who took the opportunity to run out of the water, and then back in again. Another spray of mud, and Elyna sighed.

“Okay,” she wiped most of the droplets off with her shoulder, “One step,” Elsie started giggling, bouncing as she walked, “two step…” The baby shrieked with laughter as Elyna swung her up and blew kisses against her neck and stepped over the puddle before her daughter could learn from the puppy. She set Elsie against her hip and opened the door, Vara bounding between her legs and skidding across the wooden floor.

The puppy ran straight for Vakhanor, barking as it circled the man and then spinning to bound around the house. Elyna, about to shout a warning that the puppy was covered in mud, found herself silenced by the sight of her tall, red-headed friend.

You look like shit.

The smile on her features faltered for a moment before she quickly tucked her hair behind her ear, she tucked her sleeve over her free hand and rubbed it across her face, aiming for the tiny splashes of mud. Sometimes there were just people in the world who said things that stuck, and hurt more.

“Vakh,” she breathed, her eyes fixed on the man. The last time she’d seen him had been before Elsie was born. The baby wriggled in her arms and Elyna bent, setting her down on the wooden floorboards.

“Dadadada” Elise stretched out chubby fingers to Malcolm and swayed, trying to pull Elyna towards the man. Elyna obeyed the child’s wishes and dutifully walked her towards Malcolm until she could pass over the small hands to her lover. It was hard to meet his gaze and she felt embarrassed, heat coloring her cheeks as she straightened and smoothed her shirt. Elise tried grabbing at the Wardens shirt, tugging at the ties.

She wore a pair of dark leggings and riding boots, a loose shirt beneath a sleeveless woollen tunic that almost reached her knees. Her eyes were bright from the cold and she’d braided her hair till it hung down her back, stray strands escaping to wisp over her face. Elyna hesitated between greeting Malcolm and her wayward friend. It was time to make a few things right and she smiled as she approached the Smith, stepping in to hug him and not taking no for an answer.

Finally, she drew back, “I haven’t seen you since the Market?” She could smell tea and saw the cups set out. How long had he been here? Was this her worst nightmare? Probably, or it came close. Her heart felt as though she’d run a marathon. Malcolm knew she’d kissed Vakh and he’d accused her of so much more. What if Vakhanor confirmed those accusations by accident? She lent back against the table with her hands behind her back, anything to hide the way that they shook. So much had happened since she’d last seen her friend.

“Where have you been?” She tried to stop it sounding like an accusation. “This is Elise,” she gestured to the baby and wondered if she was doing this all wrong. Elsie was safer in Malcolm’s arms though. It wasn’t unlike Vakhanor to lose his temper. He’d stood in this very room and caught fire. If…something happened then Malcolm could protect their daughter, far better than she could.

[Malcolm]

Elyna had returned home, and just in time. Malcolm had found it difficult to say much more, especially in relation to Elyna, and got to his feet as the pair entered. The warden couldn't help but noticed how her eyes lingered on the redhead, and while he went without a greeting altogether, Vakhanor was afforded a hug, whether or not he appreciated it.
Who was he kidding, Malcolm thought, Elyna had been spending more and more time at her parents manor, knowing the remaining days Malcolm had at home before his next mission were numbered. He would leave the two of them to play catch up.
Elise bestowed an open-mouthed kiss against her father’s chin, and Malcolm saved his smile for her as he turned his back on the pair, retreating to the bathroom in order to get Elsie cleaned up. A warm, shallow bath kept the infant happy for a few minutes, and with sleeves rolled up, Malcolm made light work of getting her bathed.
As they ventured to the bedroom, with Elsie wrapped in a towel, the fighting match began as the dreaded task of dressing the babe kept Malcolm busy for a while. Even after all the practice, he was still an expert at missing a button or two. Once dressed, he held Elsie, seated upright, and listened to the chatter in the next room, keeping the child entertained by pulling a funny face every now and then.

[Vakhanor]

First was the assault of the muddied hound, followed by the shrieking of a child. Standing in the doorway there she was, Elyna; the rebel noble from Burhan that had sacrificed money for a happy home and husband, looking back at him. Anyone could see that they lived a cute life together with everything they wanted, granted the child was bigger than he'd expected it to be, yet for some reason there was something wrong about this picture.

Vakhanor wordlessly watched the scene play before him as Elyna handed the child into Malcolm’s arms without so much as greeting him. Not such a happy home after all? Consumed by his bewilderment Vakhanor was rigid at first, doubtful whether to return the affection that was given to him, but eventually settled and returned the hug.

“The Market,” the smith echoed as his eyes lifted away from Elyna and toward her husband who had retreated with the baby, whatever that might have been he knew he'd figure it out in time and chose to let it go. “I’m sorry for back then Elyna,” Vakhanor said, shifting to the other side of the counter and resumed his position. He met her gaze with soft, sorrow filled blue eyes “I missed you,” the quiet whisper of the words left his lips. Sorry would not make the situation go away, nor was it a word that Vakhanor liked to use, the words couldn’t be taken away but maybe the hope of clinging to bitter twisted feelings of regret could.

Meeting her beautiful rich brown eyes, Vakhanor remembered the vivid pictures that played in his dream, the feelings that he had held in those moments he knew were all real. What they were not however, was a reality and he loathed them.

[Elyna]

The Skyrider found that she little choice but to watch Malcolm vanish into the bathroom with Elsie. Lent back against the table, she stared after him until the door closed then blinked. Turning back to Vakhanor she tried to ignore the sound of running water and the delighted splashes that followed. There was a hole in her life, a vacuum created by Malcolms absence, even when he was in the same room. She was relieved that he’d excused himself; it removed some of the pressure to try and balance her friendship with Vakhanor in his presence. Yet for all his accusations and the implication that she’d been the Smith’s lover, he was content to simply leave the pair of them alone. He didn’t care anymore.

Elyna blinked quickly again then took the time to study her friend more closely, he seemed taller than before but maybe tired after a long journey. She’d often found it hard to read his features, finding him unpredictable. “I’m glad you got to see Elsie,” it was a warm smile that followed before she sank down, into the chair. The young woman spread her fingers over the table and studied them.

“I don’t think you have anything to be sorry for,” she shook her head. He’d been blunt, but it had been the truth. She had looked like shit. She’d been exhausted and about to give birth. “You were honest. I appreciate that.” She trailed a fingertip over the wood grain of the table and let out a slow sigh in response to his admission.

“I missed you too...we never got that drink." Where had he been? Would she have sought him out after Elsie was born? Probably not, she hadn’t gone to Faith either and she’d known where to find the black-haired woman. Would it have a made a difference though, to have someone there to talk to? Someone to beat her around the head with the truth? Elyna looked across at the Smith as she sat, straight-backed on the wooden chair.


She swallowed, “What do you want, Vakh?” The words had come without warning and they sparked a memory of a dream. Everyone wanted something. The Smith had vanished for the best part of seasons and now he was back. Why now?

[Vakhanor]

“What do you want, Vakhanor?”

The words echoed through his head, as fresh as they were all those nights ago and he peered at her as if in disbelief for some strange magic that she had cast upon him. Was she inside of his head again or was this mere coincidence? Narrowing his eyes, Vakhanor knew that his original answer would not work on her, but it was the truth “Nothing, I want you to be happy.”

Same words, different situation, different people, a child, no snakes and no Bjorn; as real as this was, Vakhanor had not expected to have this conversation with her. Turning away from her Vakhanor distracted himself with downing the scorching hot tea and washing out the mug, was this just a repeat of what happened?

“Don’t say everybody wants something,” Vakh cautioned, “It’s a hell of a lot better than wanting Bjorn, Rhea and Oberyk back from the dead.” A touch of anger entered Vakhanor’s voice at the mention of Oberyk, he still had no idea what part Elyna really played in the war and in these fleeting and strange moments was not sure if he trusted it. “What do you want Elyna?” he asked in return, eyeing the door her husband went through moments ago, then back to her with a knowing look. His retaliation was the same.

The Skyrider looked as tired as he felt, and whether or not she was sincere about appreciating his honesty he remained unsure of, the drink could wait.