S.A 2060
Falchon's love for his daughter Falchiel had grown with each passing day, and his heart ached at the thought of having to leave her once again. He treasured every moment they spent together, savoring the sound of her laughter and the feel of her tiny hand in his. It was as if she was the missing piece of his heart, and he knew that he could not bear the thought of being away from her for too long. Orneth, on the other hand, had long since accepted the fact that Falchon would have to depart soon. She loved him dearly and wanted nothing more than to see him content and happy, even if it meant having him occasionally by her side instead of constantly yearning for him. She had watched him train on the pier with his sword and shield, his movements fluid and graceful, his eyes focused and determined. It was a sight that never failed to captivate her, and she found herself lost in silent admiration.
Despite their strong feelings for each other, Orneth and Falchon had not yet expressed their love in words or actions. Falchon was still guarded, holding back his affection, and Orneth could sense his hesitancy. She knew that he had a past that had left him broken, and she accepted him for who he was. Sometimes, Orneth couldn't help but wonder about Lady Siryawen and what had prompted her to love him so much. She had not confronted him with it, afraid of how he would react. But deep down, she knew that she needed to address the issue if they were ever going to move forward in their relationship. Meanwhile, Giril had found comfort and solace in Oldaer's company. His attention had shifted towards her, and she found him constantly by her side. She had developed a deep fondness for Thandir, the child that Oldaer had taken care of all these years. Giril felt like she belonged to their unit, and she was making a difference in their lives. Orneth had noticed the way Giril cared for Oldaer and knew that she would make a loving betrothed if she accepted him. But she also knew that Giril's heart was still with her true love, Haldanáre, who was no longer with them. Despite the pain and longing in her heart, Giril soldiered on, knowing that her true love was lost forever.
Demdor, on the other hand, was a loyal and pure soul who never interfered nor questioned the growing bond between Falchon and Falchiel. He never harbored any jealousy towards them, keeping his distance when Falchiel was in the company of her true father. Demdor's admiration for Falchon knew no bounds, and he held the warrior in high regard, both as a soldier and a friend. Though a skilled archer, Demdor was also well-versed in swordplay, and he and Falchon would engage in friendly sparring matches whenever the latter needed to hone his skills. Demdor was a soul of few words, but Orneth cherished him nonetheless, providing him with resources for his work as a healer whenever she could.
Over the two years they spent together, Orneth had come to terms with the fact that she and Falchon were merely friends, each loving Falchiel in their own way. Secretly, however, she admired Falchon, and old memories from the past would resurface at times. Orneth felt as though she was reliving a cycle of unrequited love, much like her experience with Lord Marilo. She had become an expert at concealing her feelings and affections, masking them behind a facade of composure.
Whenever Orneth felt overwhelmed, she would take a stroll towards the east side of the lighthouse, walking through the fields of grain until she reached a small hill overlooking the sea and the coastline. Seagulls circled overhead, their behavior often indicating the weather patterns, but this afternoon was unusually quiet. Orneth was content, grateful for the family she had found in her friends and the love she had for her daughter, who was adored by her godfather Demdor and her true father, Falchon.
As Orneth's mind wandered, her thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the sight of a figure approaching her as she stood at the cliff lost in deep contemplation. She squinted her eyes, trying to discern the identity of the mysterious person, who stood tall and broad, albeit slightly shorter than Falchon. Adorned in a cloak, black hair strands peeked out from beneath the hood. Orneth's mind raced as she quickly deduced that it could not have been any of the usual suspects - Demdor, Oldaer, Thandir, or Rochon.
As the figure drew closer, Orneth rubbed her eyes in a desperate attempt to clear her vision. Suddenly, the figure was upon her, and he removed his hood, revealing a warm smile. Orneth's heart swelled with joy at the sight of the familiar face. "Raynamo!" she exclaimed. "Mae Govannen, my lady. How are you?" Raynamo greeted her with a hearty laugh.
Orneth shook her head in disbelief, a wide grin spreading across her face. "I am just fine, but what brings you here? No one ever visits this place." Raynamo's smile grew even wider. "A trading mission, actually. I remembered this place from when you mentioned it to me. Out of curiosity, I asked a trader if he knew your name. He did and pointed me in the direction of your home." Orneth's heart swelled with happiness at the unexpected reunion. Raynamo's eyes sparkled with the same warmth that she remembered from before. "I didn't want to intrude or anything," he added quickly. "I just decided to explore the village before my boat leaves tomorrow. It was pure luck that I stumbled upon you." Orneth couldn't contain her smile. The chances of seeing Raynamo again were slim, but here he was, standing before her. She had thought about him often, especially during those times when Falchon acted cold and distant. Raynamo's kindness and warmth were always a comforting memory.
All pictures are AI-generated from Microsoft Bing DALL·E
