Eira

Dear Mama and Papa,

Madaurbeth,

I cannot escape the feelings of frost in me. Why do I feel so distant? I feel as if I have been drifting apart from everyone I care about. Demlemoth and I hardly speak anymore. Egfor and I are closer, but something is still dividing us. I have nearly given up on trying to bond with Liath and Helmwod. I try, but I feel no spark. I feel so nervous around Ristiinna, like something is wrong and I cannot fix it, no matter how hard I try. I always enjoy spending time with Syllea, she is a relief to me, but she is so seperated from everything else.

And Nimraph.

Eira kissed Nimraph and Briar goodbye. Her husband took Briar to the Library while Eira and Dammon waved. Eira looked down to the boy with a smile, "So... Do you remember the beginning of our routine?"

Dammon looked up to Eira with a shrewd look, "Enjoy the quiet, cause no Briar."

Eira snickered, hiding her laugh behind a hand, "No, darling. Try again."

Dammon looked over to the windmill, "Get yardwork stuff on."

Eira gave Dammon an approving nod, "Good. Let's go."

Cook, clean, feed, read, teach, cook, clean again...

Eira was so happy she had stopped working on Millshaw repairs.

As she took care of her animals, as she cleaned up after her labors. As she taught Dammon how to read, as she read up on baby books herself. She shooed the cats away from the chicken eggs, she fished by the pond and spoke with the bog lurker. A deep sadness took her as she felt drained from even this.

Madaurbeth,

Writing after cooking Egfor breakfast. He is still putting my fence around the kitchen coop.

I don't know what you've suffered

I don't know where you've been

I don't know if you can rise above her

But I know I'd give you love until you're quenched

I would never hurt you

I would never leave you scarred

What must I do to prove

That you are my dazzling stars

I love you, my darlings

I would do anything for you

I love you, my starlings

I will hide you behind me, my brood

Let me hide you under my wings