"I think they should know. After all, I was younger than they are now when Kewero brought you to us. I've kept your secret all these years. If they know the truth, then they'll understand the need to keep quiet."
She suddenly sobbed. "I want them to still think of me as their Auntie. I don't want to lose that joy."
Leudh pulled her into an embrace. "Don't worry about that, Flin. You’re very much a part of this family. The truth can't change that."
She hugged him tightly and they were quiet for a time. Flindra noticed a chickadee sitting on a branch in a nearby tree. She loved the chickadees since they stayed through the winter, lending their cheerful songs to the emptiness of the snowy world. Looking at the chirping bird gave her a sense of peace and balance. The wild forest and its creatures always made her feel that way. Her heartache started to ease.
"Thank you for listening to me with so much patience and not laughing at my fears," she finally said.
"That's what big brothers are for," he answered with a smile. "Now let's go home. Momma's worried about you."
"Of course." She tucked the crystal under her tunic.
He then took her by the hand, smiled into her eyes, and led her back to the cottage.
She suddenly sobbed. "I want them to still think of me as their Auntie. I don't want to lose that joy."
Leudh pulled her into an embrace. "Don't worry about that, Flin. You’re very much a part of this family. The truth can't change that."
She hugged him tightly and they were quiet for a time. Flindra noticed a chickadee sitting on a branch in a nearby tree. She loved the chickadees since they stayed through the winter, lending their cheerful songs to the emptiness of the snowy world. Looking at the chirping bird gave her a sense of peace and balance. The wild forest and its creatures always made her feel that way. Her heartache started to ease.
"Thank you for listening to me with so much patience and not laughing at my fears," she finally said.
"That's what big brothers are for," he answered with a smile. "Now let's go home. Momma's worried about you."
"Of course." She tucked the crystal under her tunic.
He then took her by the hand, smiled into her eyes, and led her back to the cottage.
* * *
Dakra invited Leudh and his family over for dinner that night. Laughter echoed, repeatedly, from the walls of the little cottage for Arek and Alek entertained the adults with their youthful antics. Alek had always been fond of Flindra's cat, Icy. Icy kept attacking the string Alek dangled in front of her nose. Not to be outdone, Arek put his hand beneath the rug by the hearth and pretended he was a tasty mouse. Icy didn't know which attraction was better to attack, so very cat-like, she sat down between them and started to wash her paw. Once Icy removed herself from the play, the boys turned to each other for fun and began wrestling on the floor.
While the boys played, Flindra and her mother filled the table to overflowing with their culinary delights. A lavish dinner consisting of roast venison swimming in a pool of gravy, butter-soaked vegetables, fresh bread which had been baked with herbs and cheese, oat and berry spoon bread smothered with sweetened cream, and a delicious apple spice cordial drew the attention of all.
The family gathered at the table, sat on the benches, and grew quiet as they held hands. "Dear Spirit," Leudh said reverently as the group lowered their heads. "Bless this food so that we may use it and all of your blessings in accordance with your will."
"Let it be so," Dakra answered. With a smile, she passed a knife to Leudh so he could carve the roast.
Flindra knew in her heart that her days with her loved ones were going to end soon, so she tried to relish every moment of the meal. She noticed the food, the loving conversations and the joyful oneness that came from being family.
While the boys played, Flindra and her mother filled the table to overflowing with their culinary delights. A lavish dinner consisting of roast venison swimming in a pool of gravy, butter-soaked vegetables, fresh bread which had been baked with herbs and cheese, oat and berry spoon bread smothered with sweetened cream, and a delicious apple spice cordial drew the attention of all.
The family gathered at the table, sat on the benches, and grew quiet as they held hands. "Dear Spirit," Leudh said reverently as the group lowered their heads. "Bless this food so that we may use it and all of your blessings in accordance with your will."
"Let it be so," Dakra answered. With a smile, she passed a knife to Leudh so he could carve the roast.
Flindra knew in her heart that her days with her loved ones were going to end soon, so she tried to relish every moment of the meal. She noticed the food, the loving conversations and the joyful oneness that came from being family.
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