OH i hope i'm not late! :3
“Why does it sound like you're saying goodbye?”
>:3c ANGST
Trahearne and Heilean
Snow was falling again. It felt like so long ago it came before… Time was an odd thing, Trahearne wasn’t sure he’d ever get a grasp of it. He took in a heavy breath, enjoying the cold tingle. He liked this, sitting in the Omphalos Chamber, looking over the saplings, the newborn. He liked doing this… Watching how they learned, how they wrestled with each other.
His eyes turned towards the sound of clashing weapons, a smile over his lips as he watched Niamh training a group of the secondborn. ‘Wardens’ she’d decided to call them. They would protect the Grove. He watched as they sparred, watched the dance of their battles. The Grove had been so quiet when it was just the thirteen of them. Now it felt so alive… So much activity.
Steps behind him pulled his attention away, turning to see the familiar face of his older sister. His smile widened as she sat with him, looking over their home… Though his smile faded quickly with her words.
“Faolain and Caderyn have founded a… Splinter. Maybe even a completely new branch. The ‘Nightmare Court’, they call it.”
“I don’t know if we could have stopped that… But Niamh’s wardens will help protect us, and Mother.” He pulled his legs up, resting his chin on his knees. He noticed how she didn’t look at him, staring out… Not at anyone below.
“Mother has… another idea to help with that. You remember that she and Wynne had discussions?”
“About a secret, yes… I don’t see-”
“Mother has told me what that is.” She smiled painfully, “And I’m sorry, dear, I cannot tell you. Caithe is the only other that knows… It must stay this way. I’ve realized what my Wyld Hunt is, I must…”
She trailed off, he could sense the words catching in her throat. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes… And his.
“Why does it sound like you’re saying goodbye?”
“I… Cannot stay. You, too, have to leave eventually. But, dearest twin, I promise you,” she took his hands, turning to face him. Their golden eyes met. “Call upon me through our connection, and I will come. No matter where you are, where I am. I will help you.”
Trahearne’s lip quivered.
“Y-you can’t leave!” He cried, “I- I need you… Heilean, I need you… I can’t-”
“Ah… You have to take my place as the first of the firstborn, too… Mother needs me to be a secret.”
“What?! No! I- I can’t! You’re my older twin, you’re the first of us! I- I’m not…” He couldn’t see past his tears, only the vague shape of her. He felt her pull him closer, felt the sturdy armor against his face… and let himself cry. “I need you…”
“That’s why I’ll come to you when you call… The Mother understands that I can’t abandon you. But you’re strong, Trahearne. I know you can do this. I’ll be supporting you through everything. Even Orr, when you’re ready.”
“I won’t leave tonight. I’ll be another week.”
