We Will Get Through This

Writers: Ainsley, Emma
Date Posted: 26th January 2009

Characters: Royah, Nimroy
Description: Nimroy runs into Royah in the hall they discuss their father's death
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 1, day 9 of Turn 5
Notes: Mentor Approved

Nimroy was rather deep in thought as he headed to breakfast and nearly ran
straight into his older brother. "Shells! I'm sorry, Royah. Are you
alright?"

"What do you think?" Royah was not his normal self, which should ring alarm
bells with anyone who knew him well. "I don't think any of us are right at
the moment."

Nimroy's blue eyes went wide in shock. In his thirty-one turns, he didn't
think he had ever heard such a response from Royah. If so the number of
times could definitely be counted on one hand. The reason tore at Nimroy's
heart. Swallowing hard, he kept his response soft and even. "Of course we
aren't. And getting run down in the hall by your little brother hardly adds
to your morning. My mind was...elsewhere. My apologies."

"You didn't deserve that," his older brother said. "I was thinking of
Father. And I don't think he'd want us to disagree, not now."

"No, he would not. He would want us to pull together for the sake of the
Hold and those in it, and that is precisely what we should do," there was an
uncharacteristic metal to Nimroy's voice. Perhaps he was a shade defensive.
Of all his brothers who had disagreed more with Benaroy? Argued more? How
many times had he made known that not everyone wanted a life revolving
around Amber Hills? He could not undo the past, but he planned on making it
up to his father in the future.

"If only he'd left something, anything to say who he wanted as his heir."

With a shake of his head, Nimroy answered, "I still can't believe it.
Father cared too much for this Hold to allow it to fall into contention. He
had to have a plan. Didn't he?" Nimroy's asked, beseeching his older
brother to have a favorable response. Royah had assisted Benaroy
day-to-day perhaps he could see some logic in their father's actions.

"He never spoke of it to me," Royah said with a shrug. "Maybe he said
something to Benaran, or Royan, I don't know."

Nimroy issued a heavy sigh. "I just don't understand. He brought the Hold
though so much - the plague, near famine, thread, earthquakes. Turns of
sacrifice." Though he might have felt frustration with his father on many
occasions, Nimroy had never lacked respect for what the great man had
accomplished. "Amber Hills is finally returning to what it once was. I
thought he would have wanted a smooth transition to keep things moving
forward."

"I'm sure he would. I'd like to think that if he had had another day he
might have written something, or said something to somebody."

It still made no sense. The man had known that he could die at any time.
Still no amount of lamentation was going to change the facts so Nimroy might
as well move past it. "How are Tenia and the children?"

"Tenira is growing by the day. And Niaroy and Roten seem to be into mischief
all the time. Yatia is at last enjoying not being the baby, I think."

"I am sure she is," Nimroy chuckled. "Tenia must have her hands full.
Sometimes one seems more than I can handle, despite his having a nurse!"

"He won't always need a nurse, and besides, by then you might have found
another wife, someone else you can love. She wouldn't want you to be alone."

Nimroy looked away, the ever present guilt rising once more. He never had
loved Ailaya and yet she had given him the most precious gift he could ever
hope to have. "One day I may take another wife," he agreed softly. "I
would like for Ailnim to know a mother's love."

"And that of a father too. I think that was the one thing we all had."

"Yes, that we did. There were times I doubted that, but I know better now,"
Nimroy's voice was low and laced with sadness as he uttered the last bit.

"We'll get through this Nimroy. Somewhere, there will be something that
Father left us, something to tell us how to go on."

"You are right of course. We will get through this, and certainly, he must
have left a clue somewhere."

Royah forced a half smile. "We will."

Last updated on the February 10th 2009

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

We Will Get Through This