Because I couldn't sleep, a quick series inspired by the ring Kel makes from the red yarn the refugee children leave behind for her to find in Lady Knight. I thought it would be interesting to look at the bonds that were formed between those who fought in Scanra; it doesn't seem like something they'd be quick to forget. Sorry if this has been done before, it just popped into my head as I was working on my other story. Enjoy!
The Red Yarn
It meant something different to each of them. They rarely spoke of what had happened, even to each other. When forced, they said that they had been lucky, and it was true. The years passed and the yarn faded, but never was it lost. They all knew it was much more than simple knots in string that had bound them together through the passing of time; still, it was good to have something to remind them of what truly mattered. The yarn served as a constant reminder of the journey they had shared.
Kel kept it tied around her finger as a ring. It had been an unconscious gesture, putting it on her ring finger. But it fit. She doubted that she would ever find the occasion to wear a wedding band, but it was a different doubt from what she had felt a few years ago. Her relationship with Cleon had taught her things she needed to learn about herself. Recently, Kel had been glad to realize that she could look back on it and appreciate everything gained without regret. And she had gained confidence, enough to realize that there were men out there who would not just overlook but also appreciate her role as a Lady Knight. But she was honestly not looking for that right now. She had New Hope, her refugees, Tobe…more than enough for one young woman to deal with. So the ring became a pledge, one that helped her to realize that she was not simply settling for second-best.
It was her shield, a defense against the long days and disenchanted knights that threatened to beat the idealism from her. She needed that to survive, her belief that one person could make a difference in the world. Really, it was hard to understand how one could fight without thinking that they were achieving anything beyond bloodshed and destruction. There was no simple way to be idealistic in war, but when she looked down at her finger, she couldn't help but be relieved at the stubbornness that had kept her from losing hope. It was scary, to know that the children had never doubted she would come to rescue them. It was even more scary to know how close she had come to betraying that faith. Next time the choice would be easier, though the decision would not change. They were her children, and she would fight for them, whatever the odds.
To Kel, it was the knowledge that she had found her place in the world. She wasn't ready to settle down with a husband yet; maybe she never would be. But that didn't mean she wasn't part of a family.
There will be three more chapters of a very similar structure, covering Neal, Dom, and Owen. Thanks for reading. I really like this idea, but I'm not sure how I feel about the end product, so I might try a rewrite on the same theme sometime in the near future. That being said, any suggestions for improvement you can give me would be gratefully accepted.
~Aurorax