Forest East of Amon Obel
The Brethil Forest continues here as its beauty and silence amaze you. The trees here are very large and they crowd each other for the light. You can hear some animals scurrying off in the distance as they make their way through the forest. You can see that paths lead off to the northwest, southwest, east, and southeast.

Night has once again fallen upon the modest lodge wherein the warden of Brethil, Corrin, dwells. The clearing before the wooden home is host to a patch of moonlight, which is dimmed now and again by the drifting clouds that cross lazily in the near-black of the evening sky. Faint and fickle breezes barely stir the leaves of the great oak that stands just beyond the clearing, though the birches that stand like attendants, scattered, are more easily coaxed to whispers.

The door of the lodge is open perhaps a hand's span--just enough so the healer Aldawin can peer outside to listen and watch a moment. Her gaze is contemplative. Resigned. Drawing a deep breath, she breathes in the woodsy scents of the forest beyond--with its faint hint of pine. And she remembers, for moment.

Then, closing the door quietly and securing the latch, she returns to Lia's room, her face a mask of tranquility which she does not feel, her gaze falling once again to the pale, still form upon the bed who is now barely a shadow of her former self. Aldawin has seen the same before, and knows naught else can be done.

They merely wait.

Sitting by his wife's bedside, Corrin has taken one of Lia's hands in between his own, and holds it tight while staring at the sleeping woman's face. The Haladin warden has sat in this same position for hours, watching and waiting without a word, heedless of the comings and goings of any others.

Looking to the man and woman quietly, Aldawin reaches for the cloth on the table next to the warden, dips it in a basin of water infused with herbs, and then wrings it out gently. Still damp, the cloth is placed first upon the woman's pallid brow, then gently patted about her face, before Aldawin takes a seat on the opposite side of the bed from Corrin. She sighs softly and looks to the warden, beckoned to speak, but void of the words to speak her fears. "There is not much time..." is all the healer softly utters at last, her gaze forced to remain upon Corrin.

"I know," the warden says quietly without turning around, "You've done all you could, healer, and I'm very grateful for your help." A few moments pass before Corrin speaks again, "I sent word to her parents and a few other family members when the lad dropped by with the messages earlier. They may yet arrive here in time to bid her farewell." Reaching forward, he brushes Lia's hair back from her face with one hand.

Aldawin nods as she reaches forward and takes Lia's wrist up into her hand and feels the pulse of the woman--weak and thready. Setting the woman's arm down gently, Aldawin looks to Corrin a moment; her brows furrow and her lips press together for a moment before she speaks. "Death is sometimes not an easy process," she says quietly, her words carefully chosen and more carefully offered; the grey eyes regard the warden after she has spoken these words.

"I think death is rarely easy, even when it comes to the old in their sleep," replies Corrin, leaning back slightly for the first time in what has seemed like hours. Indeed, he stretches slightly in his seat, as if stiff.

Looking upon the still, pallid face of the woman, Aldawin draws in a slow and prolonged breath as she nods. "I wanted to prepare you for that, if it was not expected," she says in near whisper, standing suddenly and sweeping her hair behind her ears as she steps to the bucket of water in the corner of the room. "I am going to heat some water....for tea," she says quietly, lifting the bucket up and taking it into the front room with the near-silent whispered steps of her booted feet.

Corrin rubs at his eyes tiredly with one hand, then blinks and looks over at Aldawin. "Thank you," he says quietly, before going back to watching his wife. As the Beorian leaves the room, the warden leans forward and begins speaking quietly to his sleeping wife in his own language.

Lia remains silent, umoving. For several days she has remained thus, her visage pale and eyes unopened--seeming a statue of stone, though warm still. Even the softly uttered words of her husband show no affect upon the young woman, upon who death waits...

Reaching out to run a hand lightly over Lia's hair, Corrin bows his head and only whispers his next words to his unhearing wife. Then he is silent once more, until a single racking sob is torn from his lips despite everything.

In the other room, Aldawin waits for the water to heat, and goes to the front door of the lodge once again, opens it a space, then looks outward again with a bow of her head. Her gaze is of weary worn frustration, her mouth a tight line that betrays no emotion. For a space she stands still and unacknowledging of anything--even as Corrin's sob is betrayed in the other room--though she leans against the doorframe heavily. At last, she draws away once again and returns to fetch the water from the fire where it heats, and steps away to make the tea.

The shadow of separation between life and death is sometimes a mist of greys. And as Lia moves from the lightness to dark, the journey is a gentle passage at first, and hardly noticeable. Her breaths, shallow and silent, seem to deepen now, though really it is not so much a change to be noticed by those not looking for such a sign.

As Aldawin places the herbs in the cups to steep, she hears the soft song offered by Corrin in the other room and lifts her attention away from her task. Stepping soundlessly to the room, she gazes, half-hidden of the doorway, into the room to see Corrin holding Lia's hand and singing softly to her. The healer encroaches no further, her grey eyes misting with sudden, previously thwarted emotions, though she says not a word in the interval, and notes, too, the change in the young woman's breathing.

Corrin ends his song suddenly, in mid-verse, and half stands as he leans forward over his wife, putting the back of one of his hands against her mouth and nose. He keeps her other hand clasped in his own, however. As he has his back to the doorway, he does not note Aldawin's presence there.

As twilight turns to dusk, so does the light of the young woman's life fade; and while at first the labor of her breaths increased, she seems to cease her faint struggling, and falls back to the previous pattern, but only for only a moment after Corrin has placed his hand near her face. And then, her soft, inward breath is audible but quiet--given as a last question of life and answered of a softer sigh until at last, spent, she lies utterly still.

For some moments afterwards, Corrin remains where he is, standing still as a statue, as if trying to prolong the moment or deny the farther passage of time into a future where his wife no longer lives. Then very slowly, he moves his hand up to stroke Lia's hair, then bends down to kiss her gently farewell.

Still watching from where she stands at the doorway, Aldawin witnesses the young woman's passing through the steady misting of her eyes, though she quells further emotion and feels oddly like a trespasser in this crossing of grief. Drawing in a slow, steadying and silent breath, she makes her presence known by a whisper. "I am sorry for your loss." Hardly words that tell of depth of her sorrows, perhaps, but the only she can utter. The next is offered of a healer. "What would you have me do?"

"I...I don't know," admits Corrin, looking over at Aldawin, from his expression clearly not ready for this moment even though it was long expected. "The rest of the family must be told, they were on their way over here," he says, then asks, "Could you go to the next lodge by the river and tell my cousin Elden that Lia has passed on? He will know who else must be told."

Still keeping her place at the doorway--leaning somewhat against the frame wearily--Aldawin nods as she blinks back the unwanted tears. "Aye, I shall do that," she says in a voice affected by her sadness. She looks at Corrin now briefly, as if she could manifest more of a glance than her words, then turns quietly away and passes by the table where the cups of tea sit. Her gaze rests upon the soft, wilting petals of Maythen flowers gathered earlier that day where they lie near the heated pitcher of water. Swallowing deeply, Aldawin moves on into the front room and looks not back, opening and slipping out the door to bear the solemn news away.

Night has cast its deepened shadows upon the forest of Brethil. Trees earlier blessed of the sun now hide in layers of darkening green and grey, and the clearing hosts a bluish light coaxed of the moon, which half-hides in a layer of clouds. But the night is cool and tending warm, with summer yielding its better climes than the brisk spring it follows.

The warden's lodge is host to a dim light this evening, its windows not bearing as bright a glow as in evenings previously. The door opens quickly, and the form of the healer Aldawin is revealed, the dim-golden light of a haze about her uncloaked figure. She closes the door quickly but quietly behind her, and lowers her head a moment to reach up and brush at her eyes.

With the harkening of dusk, Emeldir moves as quickly as she can along the narrow trail through the unfamiliar forest, accompanied by her friend and fellow healer Melenn as well as a guard. Lady Melenn had suggested that she needed to get out into the fresh air and sunlight and it has done her some good, she grudgingly admits to her friend as they pause just at the edge of the clearing.

"Mayhap in the morning, we can move onward to the village," Emeldir tells her friend. "I am most anxious to meet with Lord Haldir, as well as I would like to try to send word to my kin in Dor Lomin," she confides to Melenn. Glancing in the direction of the lodge, Emeldir catches sight of Aldawin, and calls out to her, "Greetings milady.. how goes with Corrin..?" she asks, moving closer to the younger healer now.

Raising her head as she hears Emeldir's call, Aldawin's eyes are still misted of unwanted tears, though there is a forced stoicness to the younger Beorian otherwise. Clenching her jaw, the younger healer walks away from the door now and meets the elder healer's gaze steadily in the dim light. "Lia has just passed on," she says in a voice barely above a whisper. "Corrin sits with her still....inside." Her gaze drops to her hands, which now are clasped before her. "He asked me to take word to his cousin who lives in a lodge near here." With another rapid blinking of her eyes, the grey gaze is lifted to Emeldir. "How fare you, my Lady?"

She lowers her head in respect as the younger healer shares with her news of Lia's passing, Emeldir's color paling even though it was not unexpected. "Ah, I am sad for Corrin and sorry too.. what should have been the happiest time for husband and wife," she says quietly. As she lifts her head slowly, she replies to Aldawin's question, "I am faring better, milady. Melenn and I shall make camp in the clearing this even, and will leave with the guards for the village in the morn," she tells the young woman. "Have ye seen Lady Sionell? I wished to send a message to my kin in Dor Lomin, to let them know where we are, and to see how they fare," she shares with the healer.

Night has cast its deepened shadows upon the forest of Brethil. Trees earlier blessed of the sun now hide in layers of darkening green and grey, and the clearing hosts a bluish light coaxed of the moon, which half-hides in a layer of clouds. But the night is cool and tending warm, with summer yielding its better climes than the brisk spring it follows.

Outside the modest lodge, the two Beorian healers, Lady Emeldir and Aldawin speak quietly. The latter of the two looks affected by some recent event--her eyes misted with tears, though her emotions are held carefully in check. As the elder healer finishes speaking, Aldawin nods with the news of other's travelling to the village in the morn. "Tis best, I think," she says quietly. "There will be much to take care of here. I may stay for a day or two to see what help I may offer."

Drawing a hand up to her move her long dark hair from her dampened cheeks, Aldawin looks past Emeldir to the dark forest beyond. "Sionell has been by in the past few days. I know not if she stays in one of the lodges nearby, but 'tis possible as Corrin's family has been sheltering some of our people."

Emeldir nods her head slowly, "Ye did all ye could for Lia, milady," she gently tells the younger healer, offering a brief, small smile of reassurance. "I'm certain, too, the Corrin is grateful for all ye have done," she adds quietly, while Melenn and the guard make ready their camp for the evening, before it grows too dark to see. "If ye do happen upon Lady Sionell, could ye ask her to seek me out, or.. if we have already left for the village, would ye ask if she would be willing to carry word to Dor-Lomin?" she requests.

"I should be certain to do the same, Lady," Aldawin is quick to answer. "I fact, I may very well find her as I go to bear the news now." She looks towards the woodland blanketed in shadows and shivers, despite the warmth of the evening.

A slight figure emerges from the shadows, grey eyes turned inquisitively towards the two ladies. It is the young messenger, it would seem for her copper hair tell tales the lass, the starlight dancing on her bare head and cloaked shoulders. "Good night to you both mi'ladies...."she says, slowly, stepping towards them, a twig cracks beneath her feet. Looking slightly surprised at te noise and perhaps a bit fearful of the growing darkness she ventures closer. "Is it...you Mi'Lady...Emeldir...and Aldawin?" The question is answered, when her gaze falls on them both at last, recognition brings a smile to her lips. A dip of the head follows...as the lass speaks..."I could not sleep....and I heard...someone talking...Is there aught that needs to be done?" She tries to assume the air of one who has not been eavesdropping...for it was not her intention but there was naught to prevent their words being carried to her ears on the night wind, as she made her approach.

Her gaze pulled from the deepened shadows of the woods, Aldawin turns now to greet the healer. And while the greeting is somewhat solemned, perhaps, it is not lacking in warmth. "Good even, Sionell," she says. "Tis a surprise to see you this even. Are you staying here among Corrin's kin?" Again the gaze travels to the woods, though settles upon Emeldir at last.

At the greeting, and in a most familiar voice, Emeldir turns, a smile flickering over her lips as she dips her head towards the young messenger, "Lady Sionell.. I was just inquiring after ye," she greets in return. "In fact, I wish to send word to Dor-Lomin and Lord Hador, if ye are willing to make the journey.." she asks the young woman, hastening to add, "Accompanied by a guard, of course."

"I am staying with another...friend.."murmers, the lass offering a quiet reply. Noting, both their solemn expressions, she quietens a moment, her eyes troubled."Is..something wrong Mi'Lady?...I would be pleased to send word to Lord Hador, to Dor-Lomin....most certainly. When, am I to leave Lady Emeldir?"she asks, looking in askance to the Lady.

Aldawin does not answer at once, waiting for the lady to perhaps reply, but with a gaze to the lodge, the younger healer answers the first of Sionell's questions. "Corrin's wife has passed on this even," she says quietly. "In fact, I was asked to bear news of the same to Corrin's cousin who lives nearby." Drawing in a deep and audible breath, Aldawin looks between the two ladies. "I probably should not tarry too long in taking the news to them."

Inclining her head towards Aldawin, Emeldir murmurs a farewell, "Take care, milady. I will let ye know when we leave in the morn," she shares with her. Turning then to the young messenger, Emeldir replies, "As soon as possible, milady . I fear that I have tarried overlong in sending word, and am anxious to find how fares my kin, as well as the people of the House. They too may not know we have departed Dorthonion, yet are safe here in Brethil," she tells her.

Sionell nods, swallowing a bit, her throat gone dry at Aldawin's earlier words. "It...saddens me to hear thus.."she says , biting her lip. "I know you both did all you could for her...." As the other heaer turns to leave, the lass offers a slight smile, gentle on her lips and somewhat reassuring. "Take heart Aldawin.."she whispers as the other departs to give the sad news of the Haladin's wife's passing. "I will leave at once then Mi'lady...have you the message..Then, I will find a guard to accompany me and we'll be off..."she says, solemnly, her eyes turning to the older Beorian. "How far is it to Dor-Lomin...a night..two..three...I fear I have never been myself..yet It will be alright, the guard is sure to know the way."

With a nod to both elder healer and messenger, Aldawin gazes once more past them to the gloom of the dense trees beyond the clearing. "I will bid you both a good even, and a fair journey on the morrow. I will see you when I have returned to the village, Lady," she looks to Emeldir with a nod of well-wishing. "And you, Sionell, when you return from your journey." One more nod follows, and in long and swift steps, Aldawin makes her way from the clearing to the forests and in search of Corrin's kin.

Remaining quiet for a few moments as Sionell offers condolences to Aldawin, Emeldir then answers Sionell's question, "Not a specific, written message, milady," she shares with the younger woman. "Tis only to inquire as to how Dor-Lomin fares, and Lord Hador, as well as to let them know that we Beorians are here and safe in Brethil..." she adds softly, her brow furrowing briefly, perhaps giving second thought to sending a special message. "If ye wait until the morn, I will pen a missive to Lord Hador, that ye can give to him," she asks of the young messenger. "The guard will know the way too, milady, and will guide ye along the safest route."

Sionell nods her head at the lady's words. "I will, wait till morn as you wish Mi'lady.."she says, quietly. "We will leave early...I will collect the message form you early in the morn....if that is suitable. " A slight frown, follows as she looks after the disappeaing form on Aldawin. "I hope..she will be okay.."she says, thoughtfully. "Anyway, Mi'lady...please I take your leave...I will prepare my things for the journey tomorrow..a pleasant night to ye."