Relations

Posted by Nianica
Fri Apr 13 15:29:20 2007

'I have to do it. I have avoided it too long.'

Nianica took a deep breath and entered the garden. She quietly walked trough the path of the garden towards an elderly elven woman. The woman sat on a bench holding a cross-stitch work on her lap, her gaze directed to the pond next to her. Nianica stopped for while and looked the woman.

'She's not so young anymore, but she still has her elegance and beauty. If I didn't know how old she was, I wouldn't be able to tell. Years have treated her well...' Nianica thought.

Nianica walked up next to the woman and placed her hand on the woman's shoulder.

Quietly the woman turned her gaze towards Nianica, her face was callous and she spoke with a cold voice. 'Miss Dalar, it has been a while.'

Nianica let her hand fall from woman's shoulder, and sat next to her.

'Indeed, it has been a while. I apologize.'

'What brings Miss Dalar here?' the woman continued to focus on her cross-stitch.

'You do know my name mother, you're the one who gave it to me.' Nianica paused for moment, her mothers tone and refusel to use her first name hurt her deeply. 'I wished to see you, that's why I'm here.'

'Well, now you have seen me.' answered mother.

Nianica sighed and set her hand on her mothers, 'Please, don't be upset with me. You know where I have been and why I have been away. You know my work is important.'

'But you shouldn't be working like that! The army is not the place to lady like you.' mother suddenly snapped.

'But it is what I need, mother. That is where my place is!' Nianica squeezed her mothers hand slightly. 'I'm proud of my job and I wish you would be also. I have worked hard for it, mother.'

There were a moment of silence and mother set the cross-stitch back on her lap.

'I was promoted to Defender a while ago. I have also won donation contest couple times...' Nianica spoke quietly.

'That is nice to hear, darling.' Her mother continued the intricate cross-stitch work, not looking at Nianica.

'I have also joined the Corps, and I'm now combat medic.' Nianica continued.

For the first time, her mother set aside the cross-stitch, and looked up at Nianica, 'Combat medic? Does that mean that you are going to the war?'

'Yes, I am going to the war. This is what I have been trained for.' said Nianica still holding her mothers hand in her own. 'And... I'm also in command of one unit of infantry. I am a soldier, mother.'

'I didn't raise a soldier.' said the woman lifting her hand and carefully brushing Nianica's hair.

'No, you raised three daughters who wish to serve the Vallenwoods and their calling brouth them to Sha'falas.' replied Nianica smiling.

Her mother blinked and looked Nianica in the eyes. 'Are you telling me, that also Jinquil joined Sha'falas?'

Nianica shaked her head. 'I'm not telling anything, mother. I promised that I wouldn't tell.'

Nianica gently hugged her mother, 'Please don't worry about us, we are doing fine.' She stood up and glanced around the garden. 'I'm sorry mother, but I must leave now...'

'Please stay for the night, or even for dinner?' Her mother looked up, her eyes pleaded with Nianica to stay.

She looked away from her mother's eyes. 'I'm sorry mother, but my leave is soon over, duty calls.'

'Then, you have to go and do your duty. Farewell then.' Her mother's hand reached for the cross-stitch, she turned her face away from Nianica.

Nianica slowly turned around and began to walk the path. Her heart sank, her mother again refused to look at her. As she reached the edge of the garden she heard her mother's voice, 'I'm proud of you Nica, I really am.'

Faint smile rose on Nianicas lips. 'Now I can leave to the war in peace. I have made peace with her.'

'At least for while...'