Somehow

Writers: Lexy, Estelle
Date Posted: 30th September 2005

Characters: Anaia, Faelir
Description: Anaia arrives home with her family and breaks the bad news to them.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 8, day 6 of Turn 3

"Dragon! _Dragon_!"

Holder Faelir shook his head indulgently as the children's voices rose up outside the window of his office and tried to concentrate on his tithe report. It was hard to concentrate with the cool breeze wafting in through the window, carrying with it the tempting scent of the sea and the sound of waves crashing on the shore. But the sooner the paperwork was done, the sooner he could join the young ones outdoors.

Usually the dragon would pass by their quiet little hold and the children would find some other game, but when they didn't stop and a dark shape suddenly cast the office into shade, Faelir suddenly realised that it was landing. And there was only one person he knew who had the rank to ask for dragon transport when she wished!

"Ana!" He grinned and pushed back his chair, the paperwork forgotten. It had been a long time since he'd seen his youngest sister and his little niece - so long that by now there were two little nieces. And if she had brought her husband with her, his wife would be thrown into such a panic by the arrival of a Lord with no feast prepared or best clothes donned for the occasion that she would forget all about family chores for the day.

When he got outside, though, only one passenger descended from the dragon's back, carrying two wrapped-up bundles in her arms. She seemed to have brought enough bags and belongings to last a month's stay, however! Perhaps that was how Ladies travelled...

"Anaia!" He pushed through the gathering crowd and was startled when she only returned his wide smile with a weak one of her own. "You've come to visit us - whatever's the matter?"

"Faelir," she greeted in her quiet manner. She was quite cognizant, however, of the massing crowd and kept her answer simple for now. "I missed everyone and thought I'd come let everyone see my little ones!"

The Lady Holder was beyond tears at this point. Anaia was more numb than anything else, having argued while trying to convince her husband that she was _not_ the one who had helped Reilina escape. In fact, when she'd returned from Amethyst Cliff not even that long ago, she had planned on doing her best to try to make life more bearable for the women of Emerald Falls now that her husband was at least halfway amenable to listening to her opinion and talking to her.

However, that was not to happen. Enrizial still didn't trust her, and now she was here, standing in front of her eldest brother, holding her daughters and wondering what she had done to end up like this.

"They're beautiful, Ana!" Faelir exclaimed, momentarily forgetting his worry as he admired the children. "This must be Alalia - and Faraline, how you've grown! It can't be long until her first birthday, can it?"

"On the fifth of next month," she answered, smoothing her hand down over Faraline's hair. Smiling slightly uncomfortably, she set her oldest one down and took her hand. The toddler was able to walk short distances now as long as she held on to someone's hand. Walking on her own, she could do, but Faraline still wasn't too steady on her feet!

"You must be tired after your journey," he said hastily, noting with relief that the drudges were already carrying her belongings indoors. Probably his wife had organised them and was now frantically making sure that one of the guest bedrooms was prepared for their ranking visitor. "Let's go inside and get out of the sun!"

After thanking the dragonrider and offering him the hospitality of the hold, Faelir escorted his sister inside and into his study, the only place he could think of where she would not be surrounded by a horde of curious relatives and holders wanting to see the babies and hear the news from Emerald Falls. Anitri joined them soon afterwards, bringing cold drinks. As soon as she saw her sister-in-law's face, she immediately put down the tray and gave her a hug.

"Anaia, what's wrong?"

"Enrizial...he sent me away," she said softly. "He thinks that I helped another woman escaped Emerald Falls...and won't believe me when I say I haven't." Her hand idly smoothed back Faraline's hair as she stared at her young daughter. Somehow, this second failure with her husband seemed so much worse. It was over, she was sure Enrizial wouldn't change and try to take her back now.

"Oh, Ana..." This was terrible news - she had only just returned from her last 'exile', and everyone had thought she and her husband had put aside their differences for good. Their father in particular would be devastated. He'd kept the news of her stay in Amethyst Cliff from him as much as possible. But sending her back to her family home seemed so...final. "You don't need to worry. You and Faraline and Alalia can stay here for as long as you like - you know you're always welcome here!"

"I know," she answered softly. Yes, she knew, but she also hated to add three more mouths to feed at the holding. It was fair bursting as it was with members of her large family! "And I intend to help as much as I can. Enrizial will not set me aside so easily. I will find some way to prove to him I had nothing to do with this. Somehow."

Last updated on the October 1st 2005

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Somehow