The Morning After (1)

Writers: AL, Kaysea
Date Posted: 26th November 2008

Characters: Fog, Eliste
Description: Eliste and Fog talk the morning after Helvar's death.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 13, day 8 of Turn 4
Notes: Riverboat Sungazer

"Good morning," he whispered into her ear. He had been standing watch over her for a few moments, loathe to wake her, but knowing Follen wouldn't hold off on his demands for his morning meal for too much longer. The babe lay in his arms, wide awake and just looking up at his father. Fog couldn't explain how deeply he loved this little one, or his mother. If Xerxen hadn't defended them last night, he could have lost both of them in the blink of an eye - as well as Linli and Tahna - a shudder went through him.

Eliste jerked awake, eyes popping open. She relaxed almost instantly, however, at the sight of her beloved. The events of the previous night came rushing back and she sat up, looking around, blinking the sleep away, though her expression was one almost of confusion.

"You're okay," Fog eased himself down on the bed next to her, while trying to assure her that there wasn't anything to be afraid of, "I just thought I'd better wake you before little man here started his morning demands." he kissed her softly on the forehead, and lay Follen down on the bed next to here. "How are you feeling?" he asked, his brow furrowing in concern.

"I'm...okay." Was he really gone? Plunged to his death over the side of the upper deck of the boat? Was he really out of her life forever? It seemed like a dream, but it had taken place, truly taken place. Helvar was gone and she was free.

"Take the little man here, and I'll bring you some fruit juice to drink, and some klah when you're ready." he said, standing and making for the small cupboard at the end of the bed. "Neke brought it down for you a short time ago. She figured you would want some peace and quiet."

Eliste took her son gladly, the baby turning his head and opening his mouth like a fish as soon as he was in her arms. Had he slept? Eliste had been shaking so much after everything she had thought she would never be able to get to sleep. Yet, almost as soon as she had crawled into bed, Fog spooning her from behind, Follen tucked safely in her arms, she had fairly fainted from fatigue. "That sounds good."

The juice and klah were both presented to her on the small beside cupboard. He kissed her briefly on the forehead again, and smiled down at the picture she and Follen presented, "I just have to go and grab some food for both of us. I'll give you some privacy too." he said turning to leave.

"Okay." Eliste watched him as he went to the door, suspicion clouding her features for a moment. It still seemed too good to be true, to real to be real. But once Fog opened the door, there was no Helvar there, no shadow crossing the threshold, no flashing, hard eyes falling upon her and Follen. Helvar was gone. The woman relaxed quite a bit and undid her tunic to appease the by then whimpering baby. He latched on quickly, eagerly and she leaned back against the wall, sighing softly. For some strange reason, she was still antsy, and she hoped it would pass soon.

~ ~ ~

"Are you ready for a meal?" he asked, angling the door open carefully balancing the tray he carried on one hand.

"Yes." Follen had just finished his own breakfast and Eliste was making herself more presentable when Fog returned. She turned a small, almost tremulous smile. "Thank you."

"Fresh fruit and some nicely toasted eggy-bread." he said, sliding the tray onto the side table. "I don't know about you, but I'm ravenous." he commented, eager to relieve the tension with any talk other than what he was sure was uppermost in both of their minds.

"Eggy bread?" Eliste peered over at the tray, shifting Follen who stared up at her, quiet and content for the moment. "What's eggy bread?"

"We received some avian eggs, fresh yesterday, and the girls beat them up and dipped some fresh bread in and friend it on the hob. It smelt so good, I couldn't resist getting you some. Though I'm not sure if you would like jam or something savoury like cheese with it?"

"No, I'd like to try the eggy bread." Eliste smiled and reached out to pluck one of the pieces from the tray. "It sounds interesting. I've never had it before."

"Neither have I. The girls were told how to make them from someone in the Hold." he said, returning her smile. It pleased him, no end, that she was able to smile even briefly this morning.

Last updated on the November 27th 2008

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The Morning After (1)