Nan grumbled a bit as Lenora insisted that Eleanor bring a bow and arrows with her.
"But you never know what we might encounter on the road!" The elf clenched her jaw and her left fist, adamant in her refusal to leave the ornately carved bow behind.
"By the Maker! If a battle-trained Teyrn and seven of his knights can't protect us, what makes you think it would make any difference, you fool elf?" Nan raised her arms in the air in an exasperated gesture.
Eleanor paused from packing the last of her unmentionables and interrupted the arguing pair. "Oh, come on now, Nan. I think it might be a good idea. After the feast last night, Bryce told me we were in for a dangerous journey. We're going to have to cross part of the coastlands, and there's quite a few bandits there."
"Hmmm, so it's Bryce already, eh?" The tallest woman in the room relented with a teasing chuckle. "Fine, fine, whatever. Just don't expect me to cart it or anything else that doesn't fit in the wagon!"
"Of course not, Nan."
"Let's be off, then. As they say in old Val Royeaux, 'If you ever have regrets in life, let them be for what you've done – and not for what you haven't done.' Hmmph."
Eleanor changed into the gift of cured leather armor the Teyrn had given her while her maids and tutor changed into slightly more rough-cut leathers and boots that Melora had purchased for them at the village general store/armory she and her husband both worked at. The three women carried the last of their gear through the estate's kitchen entrance and piled it into the almost-full wagon before another elf approached Lenora, two young boys in tow.
"A word with my sister please, My Lady?" she asked Eleanor
"By all means, Melora. I doubt we will return here, at least not for quite some time. Please say your goodbyes."
Lenora reached for Melora's arm and walked a few steps away from the wagon, wondering if she'd ever see her older sister again. Though sullied by a shem, Melora had refused to let the past haunt her. After the Bann told her to relinquish all ties with her daughter, she had married a dark-skinned elf who was the smith's servant ten years ago. She had surprised all the region's Elven community by having twins two years afterwards, and the rambunctious duo were already making themselves useful as messenger boys for the village and other outposts near the West Hills.
"This is for the best, I suppose. It's high time I let go anyways. And I know she's in good hands." Melora spoke in a hushed tone as she squeezed her sister's hand. "Thank you, thank you so much for looking after her and all."
"Not to worry. You took care of Sefora and I for so long. And this one's family too, even if she'll never know it," Melora replied as she reached out for a hug. "We're very lucky, in a way." She touched her forehead against her sister's, and then Melora gestured for the two children to come closer. The boys took turns hugging their aunt before she returned to the wagon, helped up to her seat amongst some assorted packs beside Nan by one of the other servants who had gathered to see them off. Lenora felt another wave of sadness wash over her, then felt the warmth of the amulet she wore as it started to emanate waves of comfort and reassurance. She didn't understand why it behaved like that sometimes, but she felt it was the last vestige of her early life and couldn't bear to part with the piece of history. Besides, it never did anything evil, even during her weekly visits to the Chantry.
Bryce Cousland said good morning to his new bride before returning to the front of the group with half of his knights, the other half following behind the wagon. He nodded to his retinue and they set out north towards Highever, just as the sun started to peak up over the hills behind them.
"Goodbye and Maker guide you all!" Melora yelled as she waved to her sister and the daughter she would never truly know.
