Happy Homecoming

Writers: Clancey, Paula
Date Posted: 4th October 2010

Characters: Corowal, Felyna, Corofel, Ofewal
Description: Felyna returns home with her trip to find Corowal very happy to see her.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 10, day 4 of Turn 5
Notes: Mentioned: Erassa, Sarban

Felyna

Corofel

Corowal hadn't lied when he said Erassa that she had stolen a piece of his
heart. And now that piece was hurting. She wanted something he couldn't
promise her. If she wanted to be just a servant, he thought in his anger,
she should be treated as one too. So, after their late night argument, he
avoided and her and when he could not avoid, he was cold and formal towards.
Polite, yes, but obviously distant. Even the children, young as they were,
picked up that something was different.

Corowal didn't quite understand it himself. It had started as a game, she
had been a challenge, a conquest. But over the time, he had grown to truly
care about her. It had happened with his first wife Ofelia too. He had
started out to seduce her in cold blood, and then learned to love her. With
love came the pain.

Corowal found himself waiting for Felyna to return. Her presence would make
him forget the pain. So, when the word came that her and they boys were
approaching the hold, he went outside to meet them. He send Erassa a word
that her charges were almost home.

It felt like months since she'd left Emerald Falls. Good months, but still
far too long. There was simply no telling what mischief Corowal had gotten
up to while she'd been gone. Shards, the last time she'd gone to Hidyn
Hold, he had put together a private, family party for Erassa without even
waiting for her to come home! It had been so much like slapping her that it
had stung all parts of her, not just her heart. But they had moved past
that issue, and survived - sort of - the fact that Erassa still lived in the
suite with them as if _she_ was Corowal's wife, not Felyna. She didn't
really blame Erassa for any of it, though, and would even be friends with
her if it had been even a little less uncomfortable, for both of them.

As they arrived in the courtyard, though, she found herself tensing in
anticipation of what news she would hear, and the look in Corowal's eyes
when he saw her again. A faint sigh. A simple look of welcome and true
missing her would be enough...

At least she had good reports from the boys to share with Corowal. He would
be pleased. And frankly, so was she. The trip had allowed her to bond
closer to the boys. They had had some adventures with Felyna's nieces and
nephews and second cousins, and she had proven that she was able to care for
them. In fact she had enjoyed the work. Ofewal, especially, was a little
dear when he wanted to be. It only made her want her own children even
more. To Corowal's children, she would always be 'not their mother' and
'not their foster mother'. But at least, now, they were starting to care
for her, too, in their own way.

With all those thoughts in her mind, she was more than surprised to see
Corowal coming toward her to help her dismount. She had expected Erassa to
be there too, eager to claim the boys back, and looked around for the foster
mother too, while she drank in the, oddly, welcome sight of her husband.

"Welcome back, Dear. I've missed you," Corowal greeted, his smile warm and
voice full of ...relief. Now he wouldn't be so lonely any longer. He was
however interrupted when his boys came flying to greet him. He gave Felyna
an amused and helpless look and then spent next minutes hugging and ruffling
hairs and trying to make out how the trip had been, since the both talked
over each other. Sounded like they had fun.

Felyna offered an answering smile, then an understanding one, as the boys
claimed their father back. She busied herself directing the guards where
to take the packages - she had brought back something for everyone,
including Erassa and her son - and stretched her back a little.

She still did not see Erassa, though, and found that very odd.

When a free moment arrived, she returned to Corowal's side to greet him
properly with a sweet, promising kiss, and then turned to shoo everyone
toward the doors. She wanted to see the other children too.

"Where's Erassa?" Corofel asked, looking around. He had ton's of stuff to
tell her of their adventures.

"I sent her a word. I'm sure she comes soon. She probably got detained. You
know how it is with babies," Corowal replied to him.

Heading into the Hold, Felyna felt the same fears and worries returning.
She watched the drudges curiously, out of the corner of her eye. They
seemed ... relieved... was the only way she could call it. Relieved to see
the Lady back? She would have to see her kitchen girls, especially Panni,
who always wanted to tell her everything. She had presents for those girls
as well.

Corowal had not shown her the emotions she craved to see - that he had
missed her, that he truly _wanted_ her. She had only seen that he was glad
she was back, and that could be for any reason at all given that she was
his wife.

Arm tucked in his as they walked, she said lightly, "We should have a
welcome home party tonight or tomorrow night, just the family and maybe
Sarban, Corowal. I brought presents for everyone... even Sarban!" She
chuckled to herself, thinking of the Steward's reaction to a present from
her, a Lady he didn't much like.

"That should make every one happy," Corowal said. Eyes sparling, he leaned
closer to her and whispered. "I have something for you too. To show how much
I missed you."

She smiled warmly and leaned into him, pleased. "I am glad to hear you
missed me, my dear. I missed you quite more than I expected. I am very
happy to be home. And I will show you just _how_ happy ....later....." Her
own eyes sparkled back. "I hope the children sleep soundly and in their
_own_ beds tonight...

"So do I," his grin was impish.

Last updated on the October 17th 2010

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Happy Homecoming