Anyone Can Hold The Helm,

Vianne Bourchier Governess of Rannoch Island Mermaid

[kingelricaddinell]

As a man in his position, Elric knew he was supposed to remain calm and composed at all times, but he was sick and tired of being yelled at for Leith’s death. All he wanted was some time to mourn his friend, and drinking whiskey together had often been how he and Leith had ended a council meeting. It was done in the memory of his friend, not in an effort to forget him. “Don’t you dare.” His voice was as cold as ice and was the calm before the storm as he suddenly stood up and started shouting. “Don’t you dare accuse me of trying to forget him!”

[governess-vianne]

Vianne’s rage was only there to keep the tears at bay. She wanted to cry until she felt better, but she knew there was no time for that. Leith’s killers were on the loose and they needed to be stop. The mermaid needed them to be stopped. “Then what are you doing!?” Her voice was filled with pain. “Tell me, My Lord, because all I see is a man drinking away the memories of a man he called friend!”

[hellanne]

I’m afraid we’ll always be a book with the end pages ripped out.

Madisen Kuhn, Does Time Truly Heal All Wounds? (via hellanne)

[beyonce-knowles-carter]

Worse than sharks, boy. There’ll be mermaids upon us within the hour, you mark my words.

[subsimeon]

[open]

[subsimeon]

Caspian looked up at the Lady when she spoke, and a familiar sorrow filled him.  He looked away again, his eyes on their path, wondering if there was anything he could say to make her feel better.  “He knew,” the servant said softly at last.  “Leith knew the truth, even when your words said otherwise, even when his did.” That was something Caspian had never doubted.  “I know how that feels,” he continued.  “To be so angry at someone that you can barely stand to look at them, and even then never stop loving them.”  It was a pain that Caspian was all too familiar with.

[governess-vianne]

“Is knowing enough?” She asked, shaking her head. “Is knowing he knew enough?” Vianne didn’t think so. But when Caspian said he understand, the Governess knew he being truthful. She knew he was talking about Kailani. “Don’t give up on her, Caspian.” Her eyes moved up to meet his. “She is not a lost cause.” Taking a deep breath, she added, “I’m going to bring her home to us.”

[kailani-anahita]

Well he gives it his best shot let me tell you. He doesn’t like my reasons for killing, constantly calling me vile and wishing my death upon me. Exactly, I’ve changed too much…. Vianne if it were biologically possible your optimism would be enough to warm my heart, please never stop dreaming such far fetched things. If Leith agrees we have to convince the king, and the rest of the mer people, not to mention Governor Nicholas and his kind.

[governess-vianne]

When Leith is hurting, he wants those who have hurt him to feel the same pain. He has wished death on me before, but I think it is only because he cannot handle the heartache. I cannot say that justifies what he does, but it is simply how the man can be. Leith will come around, as will the King. And Governor Nicholas is a good man, he will see reason.

[kingelricaddinell]

Elric barely registered the bottle as it smashed on the floor. “That could be counted as assault against a king, you know.” But his heart wasn’t in the joke as usual. “I knew that you would come to see me sooner or later. There is no way I could have saved him, Vianne. Don’t you think I would have leapt into his place if I could? That man was like a brother to me.”

[governess-vianne]

The mermaid held tightly to the rage within her, refusing to let the broken expression on her King’s face make her falter. “A brother,” she spat. “Well your brother is dead, My King. And yet you disgrace his memory by sitting here with a bottle of whiskey. In an effort to do what, exactly? Forget?” Vianne wanted to slap him. “A Councilman is dead. The most loyal, loving and determined man this Kingdom has ever been able to call Councilman and he is dead!” Her voice cracked and she grit her teeth, not allowing her composure to crack.

[jacobdashwood]

“There is no need to keep up appearances love…” But he also understood her need to look strong. Breaking down after what had happened seemed not more than normal, but Vianne wasn’t the woman to let that happen. Nor was he planning to do that. He did not break. “Do not worry about me, Vianne. I will be fine. After I’ve seen justice done.” That was all he could hold on to, and that was what he would do. He refused to think about what would come later, with no one to call friend or lover. Ever again.

[governess-vianne]

Her smile was sad. “Appearances are all I have left, unfortunately.” Vianne took a deep breath in, the salty smell of the sea wafting up into her nose, calming her in the slightest amount. She wanted to be beneath the waves, visiting the places her and Leith had once frequented. “Justice will be done. I have members of my colony working on finding information very soon.”

[kailani-anahita]

I break the heart of his dear friend each time I visit him, I kill for reasons he cannot understand. Did you think I was capable of hate when we were young? Even I didn’t think I was. I don’t even know what I’d do if I stayed, I’m not really good for much except the life I lead right now.

[governess-vianne]

Leith has no right to judge someone for breaking the heart of another. He has done it many a time himself. And he broke his pacifist ways to keep me alive in the war, so killing for a reason is something he can understand. No, I would never have thought you capable of such hatred when we were younger. Then we find you a new life. On the island, with me. We can unite our people again.

[subsimeon]

[open]

[subsimeon]

Caspian blinked and looked down, trying to give Vianne a moment of privacy as her emotions clearly threatened to overwhelm her.  He looked back up when she spoke again and gave her a small smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.  He took her arm with a small nod, laying her hand in the crook of his elbow.  “Of course,” he murmured, trying for another smile.

[governess-vianne]

They walked in silence, Vianne needing a moment to collect her thoughts and her emotions. “Do you know how many times I told him I wished him dead?” She asked, glancing towards Caspian, a sadness in her gaze that she couldn’t hide. “I couldn’t count the times we fought and prayed death on one another.” Her hand tightened momentarily on his arm, “And now it has come true.” Vianne reached up to brush at the tears on her lashes.

[kailani-anahita]

Leith hates me, he thinks I’m vile, it was him who suggested I leave- he offered to help me disappear- as much sway as you might have I don’t think it would be enough to convince him that I deserve to keep my head attached to my shoulders. I’m sorry, but this is what it is.

[governess-vianne]

Leith does not have it in him to hate. He acts as if he does, but the man is too soft for his own good. One of his own friends fought against the King in the war and yet Leith has given him another chance. I’ll speak with him.

[subsimeon]

[open]

[subsimeon]

Caspian took a shaky breath and nodded, willing his emotions to the side.  ”Of course, my lady,” he murmured.  He swallowed, for a moment, then looked up at her.  ”It’s not my place to say this, but Leith was like a brother to me, and it shouldn’t go unsaid.  There was no one in the world he loved more than you, my lady.  Even after… everything that happened.”

[governess-vianne]

The words filled Vianne with both pain and happiness. She had hoped Leith still loved her. After all, she had never stopped loving him. Even after the fighting, the affairs, the abortion, the hatred. Through it all Vianne had loved him. It sent a swirl of emotion in her chest. “Thank you for saying that, Caspain.” Her gaze filled with tears for a moment before she blinked a few times to clear them. “Walk with me,” she suggested, extending her arm for him to take.

[jacobdashwood]

The rituals had been strange to witness. He could understand the ties the merfolk had with the sea, but it hurt to see the body of his friend burn like this, become one with the sea again. The smoke irritated his eyes, the tears on his cheeks a result of that. Or so he wanted to make himself believe. The anger inside of him was fighting with his grief and he did not know which one of the two would win. When he saw Vianne looking as distraught as he felt, he decided to make his way over to her. They had had their disagreements in the past, but they had managed to move past them, that much had been clear by the conversation and the oath they had shared earlier. “Vianne…”, he tried to catch her attention. “How are you holding up, love?”

[governess-vianne]

As her name was spoken, Vianne turned to see who wanted her attention. Seeing Patrick filled her with a relief she hadn’t expected. A small smile, although it be somewhat forced, graced her appearance. The first one in quite some time, unfortunately. Vianne wasn’t sure she’d ever be able to smile as genuinely as she had once done. “As well as I can,” she answered, green eyes drifting out to the man she loved remains’. “And how are you?” The Governess asked, taking in Leith’s old friend.

[kingelricaddinell]

"Don’t even attempt to take this bottle from me."

[governess-vianne]

Vianne grabbed the bottle from his hand, tossing it to the side, not caring that its contents spilled across the floor. "You and I have much to talk about, My Liege and I will not endure the disrespect of you being a drunk bastard while we speak."

[kailani-anahita]

With recent events I don’t think I could leave even if I wanted too… Oh? I remember what hope was like, have fun with that. Vianne the truth is that it’s too late for any of that ‘figuring it out’ nonsense. The king wants me dead. If I leave, I survive for certain, but if I stay then who knows? I carry on this way? Murderer on the run? Because I couldn’t stop, if I stop and stay in Nysa then I die.

[governess-vianne]

I don't believe that. I refuse to. We were family once, and I believe we still are. There is always hope for family. We do not see eye-to-eye, that can't be argued, but Leith has sway with the King and I have sway with Leith. We could manage something.

[subsimeon]

[open]

[subsimeon]

Caspian shook his head and looked up at the widow with obvious sorrow.  ”No, my lady, I meant…  I’m sorry that you’d see me like this, and I’m sorry for everything you must be going through…”  His voice was still choked with tears, but he got it out.  He couldn’t understand how Vianne seemed so collected.  He knew that she and Leith had been having a difficult time, but he’d never doubted that the two loved each other.

[governess-vianne]

"I'll be alright, Caspian." The words felt like lies on her lips, but she couldn't say otherwise. Losing Leith to the divorce had been one thing...Painful, yes. But she knew she could survive it. Losing him to death? It took everything in her to simply take one breath after the next. "When we were married, he always spoke so highly of you." It took her a moment to speak again, "I hope you will still visit the island in your free time."

[governess-vianne]

The smell of the fire stung Vianne's nose as the wind wafted it towards her. She didn't react, knowing it was Leith's body that burned in front of her. All she could do was stare. Stare and let her hatred fester and bubble within her. Of course Leith would die on her. After everything. Just as their relationship had begun to rebuild, just as they'd finally began to forgive...Damn him. Damn him to hell for allowing her to feel this pain. She wanted to hate him for it. But she couldn't. Tears burned in her eyes, but if anyone asked she'd have blamed it on the smoke. Unable to watch the boat that held her ex-husband drift off in flames, she didn't turn to greet whoever approached her. 

[jacobdashwood]

He wasn’t alone in his grief, and even though that did not diminish his pain, it was good to know that Leith would not be forgotten. The man was loved, and those who loved him would not let this go by. 

Patick nodded. “That is an oath I will be more than willing to swear, Vianne. If the king’s justice is sufficient, I will leave the punishment to him, because that is wat Leith would have done. If that justice fails, we will do everything what is in our power and beyond to find those responsible for this and make them regret they have ever dared to lay hands on my friend.”

[governess-vianne]

"An oath," she repeated, nodding in return. "I swear to give the King the chance to see justice served. Though should he fail, you and I will see to it that their are punished." It made her feel somewhat better, knowing Patrick and her stood on the same ground for this.