Just a Small Bit of Cheer

Writers: Ainsley, Paula
Date Posted: 1st February 2009

Characters: Zelanka, Nimroy
Description: Nimroy gets caught leaving a gift for Zelanka
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 1, day 17 of Turn 5
Notes: Mentor Approved

Nimroy laid the small handpicked flowers on the desk, eyes a bit sad.
He doubted that she would remember after all these turns. He and
Lantriv had picked some very like these and left them for her after
one of their pranks had her a bit miffed at them. Since Benaraoy's
death, the sad look in her hazel eyes had been haunting Nimroy so he'd
been leaving the headwoman little "gifts" on her desk. Nothing much.
A small confection. A scented card. Little things to let her know that she
was thought of during this sad and difficult time. Really rather
childish of him, but she had always been so good to him. He turned
and flushed down to the roots of his hair. He was caught!

"Nimroy?" Zelanka's eyebrows shot upwards with surprise.

"Ah, good morning Zelanka," Nimroy stated as he straightened and tried
to act normally. She might not notice the flowers just yet. "Thought
I would stop in and let you know that Ailnim is good and well now.
No fever and his eyes are clear in the mornings," he stated brightly.
Actually, Nimroy truly was relieved that his son's illness had been
nothing of consequence.

"Well, that is certainly good to hear, " Zelanka said and managed a
smile. Her eyes flickered to her desk. "So, it _was_ you," she
remarked, voice full of satisfaction of getting a suspicion confirmed.

"You already knew then?" Nimroy asked his eyes narrowing wondering how
the woman always seemed to know everything.

"Suspected it. You used to do so as a child, remember? With my son.
So, I though it was either you or him."

A sad smile played at Nimroy's lips. "I didn't think you would
remember. How is Lantriv? I haven't seen him in some time."

"He's quite busy with his two small daughters," Zelanka said.

"How old are they now?" Nimroy queried, thinking it truly had been too
long since he had seen his friend.

"Three and few months," Zelanka replied. For her own surprise and
dismay, she couldn't just now remember the exact age of her youngest
grandchild.

A heavy sigh escaped the man's lips, "I need to catch up with
Lantriv." He cocked his head and looked at Zelanka, trying to assess
how she was. As always she presented a front of calmness and
efficiency. It was as impossible as ever to see how she was truly
doing and to ask would be futile. Really, what was the point of
asking anyway? Benaroy's death was too recent for any of them to
truly be themselves yet. All thoughts seemed to lead back to his
father of late and Nimroy found that no amount of activity would clear
his mind of regret. So much that he should have done differently.
"Since Ailnim's birth, it seems I've done little outside of my regular
duties to the Hold and time spent with him."

"Any time you spend with your son is well spent," Zelanka replied
reassuringly. "Did you like the blanket I knit for him?" she then
asked. She had seen the boy soon after his birth but only the
milk-mother had been present then.

"I loved it and so does he! He sleeps with it. In fact he often has
it with him. I think Nandrie must have to wash it every other day,"
he said wrinkling his nose. "Now that he is able to crawl about on
his own, he can make the most appalling messes."

Zelanka actually managed a weak laugh. "Sounds normal to me," she
said. It was amazing, really, how life just went on and even in middle
of the deepest sorrow, you could still find enjoyment from small
things. It was those things that kept her going, and the thought that
Benaroy's life still continued in his children and grand-children.

Nimroy was heartened by her laugh. It may not be much, but it was
something. "Well, I suppose if it is normal than I shall learn to
live with it. I really had best be getting back to my work. Have a
good day, Zelanka."

"Thank you, Nimroy," she said from her heart and meant it, he had
managed to cheer her up a bit, "You too."

Last updated on the February 10th 2009

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Just a Small Bit of Cheer