Chapter III, Reading 4

Leudh and the boys were waiting in the yard.  It was a somber scene for the twins were crying and Leudh looked as if he had been punched in the stomach for his face was taut with pain.  The three women walked slowly to join them.

Dakra deftly took the crib blanket and the saddlebags from Flindra's hands.  "I'll pack these."

"Thank you, Momma."

Flindra chose to say her first farewells to the twins.  She went to the boys and hugged them both.  "I'm going to miss you," she whispered.  "Please take care of all the animals and help your Grandma.  I'm not going to be here to help her anymore.  It's up to you two."

"We will," Arek sobbed.  He hugged her even harder.

"We love you," Alek said.

"I love you, too," she replied.  "Our love will continue.  I may be leaving, but I will always love you."  She sniffed as she smiled.  "Icy loves to sleep under the blankets.  She'll be happy if you let her come to your house to sleep with you."

Both smiled through their tears.

She kissed both boys and stood.  "Take care."

Brehwan intercepted her with a hug.  "Be careful, Flindra."  She wouldn't give a more specific warning while the boys were here.

"I will."  She bit her lip.  "Take care of the family, Brehwan."

"I will, sister."

They hugged again and then Flindra turned to her brother.  Unable to give voice to the feelings of her heart, she only hugged him.

"Take care, Flin," he said in a low voice.  "Keep to the forest as long as possible and avoid well used trails.  It's best that no one sees you."

"All right."

"Trust your instincts and remember the lessons of our childhood.  There aren't many who can match your woodcraft."  There was pride in his tone.

She smiled at him.  "You make it sound easy."

"It will be easy, once you start on the trail.  It's saying farewell that's so hard."

"Then don't say it."

He looked at her with a puzzled expression.

"Say something else."

Leudh smiled.  "Good journey, little sister."

"That was nice."  She kissed him on his cheek.

"We love you, Flin," he murmured as he hugged her fiercely.

She smiled through her tears as they separated.  "I love you, too."

Saying good-bye to Dakra was going to be the hardest of all.  Flindra knew it and kept this for the last.  She left Leudh's arms and turned to face her.

"Momma," she said with tears running down her cheeks.

Dakra held open her arms and Flindra rushed into the embrace.  For a moment longer she could be a child in her mother's loving arms.

"Oh Flindra, I love you," Dakra sobbed.  She trembled in agony as she tried to suppress her tears.