Happily Ever After: Chapter 7

Chapter 7: A New Life
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Rivian stired into semi-conciousness and she felt warmed and loved, in her husband's embrace. She moaned softly as she let herself slipped deeper and closer to her husband's body. It felt so good for her, to awake in soft, warm arms.

"Ohh Anomen. Is it day so soon?" she murmured sleepily. The arms around her loosen immediately and Rivian opened her eyes in protest. She found herself leaning on Solaufein, she sat up immediately in reflex.

"Solaufein? I.. I am sorry.. " she apologised. She was fully awake now and she could not contain the disappointment and pain in her apology, that it was not her husband's arm that gave her comfort the night before.

Solaufein winced at the apology, his expression was that of pain but it was gone in a brief moment. He managed to force an apologetic smile.

"I should take you home, my friend. Your family will be worried."

Rivian nodded and allowed Solaufein to lead her towards the Delryn estate. They did not speak until they reach the estate. Solaufein felt very awkward, as he struggled to find words to console his friend. Rivian's face was expressionless, she solemnly walked besides Solaufein, her eyes staring blankly ahead of her.

"Lady Rivian! Thank the Gods! You are safe and sound. Lady Lene nearly dispatched all the guards to look for you..." The door guard caught sight of the drow behind Rivian and eyed him suspiciously.

"I'm fine. This is Solaufein. He is my friend."

"Yes my Lady. Greetings, Lord Solaufein." The guard bowed politely.

Solaufein was taken aback. He had not been addressed as 'Lord Solaufein' before and he was not accustomed to Amnish nobility. He managed to nod at the guard and quickly followed Rivian into the estate.
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"MOTHER! Geran found blood on Father's grave. Where did you go? Gods. We were so worried. "

"Mother. Can't you leave a note or something?"

"Grand-ma.. Grandma. You're back."

Her children crowded her in moments after Rivian stepped into the common room. She allowed them to gently chide her for her disappearance before she ordered them to stop. After the questioning cease, Rivian introduced Solaufein to her family. Solaufein was not unknown to them, Imoen had tell them stories of their adventures but it was the first time they had meet Solaufein in person.

"So you are Solaufein. We've heard so much about you. You're more handsome than Aunt Imoen described" Asana smiled at the drow who blushed at her compliments.

There were the usual "Oooh"s and "Ahh"s from the younger members of the family.

"Mother. You still haven't tell us where you went and why was there blood on Father's grave." Lene asked.

Rivian winced at the mention of Anomen, she felt her heart ached and she froze for a moment, trying to compose herself before answering her daughter's question.

It was Solaufein who came to her rescue.

"Ah, I'm afraid I'm at fault here. I slayed two grave robbers who attempted to disturb your father's rest. I'm afraid I had forgotten to clean the blood off."

The children were outraged at the audacity of thieves dishonoring their memory of their father. They had taken in the story Solaufein made up, all except Lene who looked skeptically at her mother.

"I went out for a stroll, bumped into Solaufein and we chatted. There. Satisfied?"

Rivian was feeling exhausted from the questioning, the watching. She needed privacy, needed to grieve and above all, needed to find a purpose in her life. At that instant, she made a decision.

He will approve of this.

"Children. I'm leaving with Solaufein. I'm going adventuring with him for a while. I need to be away from Atkarla, I need to find something to do, something to distract me, something to make me feel useful." Rivian announced to her family.

The children watched her in silence for a while. Her decision was unexpected. Solaufein looked at Rivian, her decision had surprise him as well but his heart rejoiced at the thought of having her company.

"I'm happy for you mother. It is a wise decision. Father would not want you to cling onto his memory. When are you leaving?" Lene approved.

"Now. I'll be packing a bit and after a meal, I will leave with Solaufein." Rivian turned to Solaufein and asked, "Will that be alright, my friend? I'll understand if you do not wish my company."

Solaufein smiled. "I looked forward to your company once again, my friend."

Rivian nodded and excused herself to pack.

"Uncle Sola, please take care of Mother. I suspect her grieve is deeper than any of us and it would take a long time for her to come to terms with it. She loved Father very much." Geran approached Solaufein after Rivian left the room.

Eilistraee, please guide me. I will protect her with my life and heal her heartache if I could.

He looked at the young half-elves in front of him and nodded his promise to keep their mother safe.

Before long, Rivian and Solaufein were on their way out of Atkarla. As they passed the Graveyard District, Rivian slowed her pace and made a promise in her heart. A promise to her beloved husband.

I'll be back, my love. Amin mela lle.¹
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^{1. I love you in elvish.}

"Ohh Anomen. Is it day so soon?" she murmured sleepily. The arms around her loosen immediately and Rivian opened her eyes in protest. She found herself leaning on Solaufein, she sat up immediately in reflex.

The dream shattered.

Solaufein was taken aback. He had not been addressed as 'Lord Solaufein' before and he was not accustomed to Amnish nobility. He managed to nod at the guard and quickly followed Rivian into the estate.
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"MOTHER! Geran found blood on Father's grave. Where did you go? Gods. We were so worried. "

"Mother. Can't you leave a note or something?"

Something like "Sorry kids, i'm going to commit suicide"

The children were outraged at the audacity of thieves dishonoring their memory of their father. They had taken in the story Solaufein made up, all except Lene who looked skeptically at her mother.

"I went out for a stroll, bumped into Solaufein and we chatted. There. Satisfied?"

Too transparent.

"Children. I'm leaving with Solaufein. I'm going adventuring with him for a while. I need to be away from Atkarla, I need to find something to do, something to distract me, something to make me feel useful." Rivian announced to her family.

Talk about being impulsive.

I'll be back, my love. Amin mela lle.¹
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^{1. I love you in elvish.}

You're using "the grey company" homepage?

You're using "the grey company" homepage?

yeah. thanks for your comments. Chapter 8 is up and is a bit disturbing.