A Birthday Wish
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 18th October 2009
Characters: Corowal, Erassa, Corofel, Wallia, Felcoron, Corolia, Ofewal
Description: Corowal's children surprise Erassa on her birthday.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 5, day 12 of Turn 5
The room was darkened and the darkness was filled with whispers and nervous giggles. "Shh, " Corowal sushed, "You spoil the surprise." Children had wanted to arrange birthday for the foster-mother. They had gifts: self-made necklace of dried, dyed peas, drawings, poem that Ofewal was ready to throw to thrash bin had his father not prevented it and silver brooch that Corowal had financed but the children picked out from the traders.
Erassa had asked for the morning off so she could have a quiet breakfast with her parents and son. It was hard sometimes. Her mother had accepted her back willingly and with open arms. Erassa's father was having a harder time. While he obviously loved his little grandson, she knew he was ashamed of her. They had been close once, but now... Even on her birthday, he had barely looked her in the eye and instead busied himself elsewhere when not eating. Her thoughts were sad as she shifted Beleran on her hip and reached for the handle.
"Happy birthday to you..." the children started to sang when the door opened.
The fostermother started at the unexpected sound. Her face quickly broke into a smile as she looked down as her dark thoughts melted at the sight of all the grinning little faces. "Well, this _is_ a surprise!"
"We did all by ourself, well, dad helped a little," Corolia said with a broad smile. "I picked flowers for you. Wallia didn't do anything, she just ate _dirt_." The flowers were already bit drooping and some of them had still roots attached.
Erassa threw her head back and laughed, reaching out to pull the young girl to her. What was it about the innocent observations of children that could make everything in the world seem right again. "Well, she's lucky she has such a thoughtful older sister to do all the work."
Corolia gave her the flowers and other crowded in with their own presents. Except Wallia who was drawn to the smell of cake on the table. Corowal had to hold her.
"These are beautiful, Corolia, thank you." Beleran reached out, wanting to hold the flowers himself. "They are very pretty, aren't they son? Corolia picked those for me. Wasn't that thoughtful?"
"I had a poem for you," Ofewal approached her timidly, but was pushed aside by his more boisterous older brother. "We brought a gift for you!" Corofel shouted and hold out the wrapped small box. For a while, Ofewal looked like he could choke his brother with the gift.
"Oh, and it is beautifully wrapped," Erassa gasped, reaching for the flowers that her son was about to throw to the floor in a new game. "But let's save it. I want to hear Ofewal's poem first while I put these in a vase." And her son somewhere safe.
"Come on, crowd, let Erassa have some room. Maybe we could all take a glass of juice and listen Ofewal's poem," Corowal interrupted before it got out of hand.
Erassa bowed her thanks as she moved to set Beleran down by the toys Wallia had been playing with before she arrived. "Corolia, can you find a pretty vase for our flowers? I think there's one by the sink."
The children scattered, Corowal busied himself pouring juice and Ofewal got a moment of silence when to read his poem.
"That's some genuine harper-talent you got, son," Corowal praised after he finished his reading.
"Indeed," Erassa beamed, tears welling up in her eyes as she touched the boy's cheek fondly. "It is the finest poem I've ever heard. May I keep it?"
"Of course you can," Ofewal said and handed her the scrolled hide. He beamed under the praise. He was so often overshadowed by his siblings. "It will be my treasure," she promised, clutching it to her heart. A tear fell onto her hand, but this time it was bitter-sweet as she remembered her earlier conversation with the Lord Holder. Would he still write her poems if he were the one to be fostered away?
"Why don't you show her your drawing, Felcoron?" Corowal suggested to his youngest son.
It was almost overwhelming - flowers, poems, drawings, gifts... Erassa had never expected such attention to be paid to her, not to just a foster-mother. "Please show me, Felcoron," she whispered, feeling her throat tighten with emotion. She scooped the boy up and sat him on her lap, looking over his shoulder while she composed herself.
Corowal sensed she wanted space, and busied himself cutting the cake and handing out plates, while Felcoron explained with seriousness of a three turns old, what each twirl on the hide meant.
Faranth, how she wished this family could be _hers_. But it wasn't. As precious as these gifts were, this was the Lady's family. "It's a beautiful picture, dear heart," she murmured, wrapping her arms around the boy, grateful for the time she had.
Last updated on the November 3rd 2009