Disclaimer: I own no one but Fallon. All the rest of the clan are property of WGN (or were :'( )
In all of her eighteen winters, she's never once left the safety of their mountain. Sixteen winters spent on the Shay side of Shay Mountain, two winters spent on the Farrell side, one as a Shay being courted, one as a young Farrell bride. Fate had been kind to her, but fate can turn against you as easily as the weather.
The morning mist had only begun to dissipate when Fallon Farrell began preparing a relatively decent and quick lunch for her husband and their cousin. Hasil and Krake would be at the still the better part of the day preparing the family's infamous "Farrell Wine" for the upcoming ending of summer celebrations, leaving Fallon to her own devices.
Cool mountain air surrounded the redhead as she hiked her way from the small shack she and Hasil shared towards the family still, the morning birds seeming to sing only for her. Mornings like this always filled Fallon with sorrow for the lowlanders, sorrow that they could never know such beauty and joy, beauty that at times like this seemed made solely for her. The sounds of bubbling water and cracking corn escorted the redhead the final few feet into the still itself, where her husband and their cousin were working away to be sure to have a large enough batch of shine for the festivities.
"Well now, what brings a pretty little thing like you out here this early Fay? I know I told ya good mornin'," Hasil smiled at his wife as Krake took the basket from her hands, before wrapping his arms around her.
"Just figured I'd bring you boys something for later, since I'm gonna be out for a while," Fallon smiled softly, nuzzling against him gently.
"And just where are you off to?" Krake raised a brow at the young newlyweds, a faint smile to his lips.
"Meetin' G'Win to go herb hunting for a bit," the redhead shifted her knapsack from one shoulder to another, causing a light metal clink to be heard.
"Just hunting herbs, hmm?" the older cousin smiled good naturedly to her. Krake knew the sound that came from her bag quiet well, he'd gifted the young couple with a set of four throwing knives made with deer hooves for handles, in a wood box at their wedding last spring.
"Ok maybe a little throwin' too," Fallon offered a sheepish look. "Is there anything either of ya need while we're hunting?"
Both men couldn't help but chuckle at the admission. "Well if you find the time and it's not too much trouble, we could use some wild honey," Krake reached for an empty mason jar.
Slipping the jar into the bag with her knives, the young woman flashed her cousin a warm smile, "If we come across a hive I'll be sure to gather as much as I can."
Giving her husband one last parting kiss, Fallon struck out again towards the main encampment of the clan. The first stop was the greenhouse, poking her head inside and flashing a smile to her cousins within. Apparently Fallon wasn't the only one saying her partings to a loved one, she'd spotted G'Win and Lil Foster in an embrace.
"Am I interrupting something?" Fallon smiled as the pair parted. "I can come back later if ya need me to G'Win," humor painted the younger cousin's voice as she dipped her head to her Bren'in's grandson.
"Nah, just sayin' goodbye," Foster smiled. "You two best be gettin' out there before it gets too hot," the gentle giant gave his lover one last squeeze before departing.
The redheaded pair walked towards the woods in companionable silence, each in her own thoughts. Upon hitting the cool, sweet smelling woodland the duo began lightly chatting as they let their eyes sweep over the trees and ground.
"Krake and Hasil wanted us to keep our eyes out for honey," Fallon stated simply as she gathered a small bunch of berries.
"Sure," G'Win smiled slightly, glancing over towards her cousin. "Ya haven't told 'im yet, have ya?" she questioned lightly.
Instantly Fallon froze in place, staring at her older cousin in absolute horror, "How'd you, when'd you, G'Win ya can't tell 'im!" Panic laced Fallon's voice as G'Win laughed softly.
"Ya ain't got nothin' ta be afraid of Fallon," the healer shook her head smiling. "Haisl'll be thrilled ta be a Fa and ya know it. I don't see why yer so worried bout tellin' 'im."
"I know yer right, and I'll tell him, soon," Fallon slumped slightly in relief. "I'm just afraid of somethin' happening." The younger Farrell knew that her older cousin would understand fully.
"I know Fally," G'Win gently squeezed her cousin's shoulder. "But if somethin' does happen, yer gonna need Hasil ta help ya. Don't hide in the shadows," she smiled taking the jar and filled it from a nearby hive. "Lets take a break fer lunch."
The sight of the dried meat and berries they'd packed was the last thing Fallon Farrell saw, G'win's voice the last thing she heard, before her world went completely black and her own personal hell began.