Summary: Rhea wakes late and goes in search of Alphinaud and Tataru. Later, a walk to the Gates of Judgement and a visit from Midgardsormr leaves a heavy weight in Rhea's chest. Upon returning, they receive news from Haurchefant on their petition for entry into Ishgard.
Author's Note: WoL x Haurchefant | OC Work w/ MSQ References
Much of the morning had been spent with Rhea and Haurchefant exhausting themselves as the loving couple learned whole new worlds involving the other. It was mid-morning when sleep took them both, tangled together and skin glistening in the morning light pouring through the windows.
When consciousness began to filter back to Rhea, the first thing she noted was a distinct lack of her lover. Wide and grand as the bed was, she felt small all alone in it as she opened her eyes and looked around. She didn't know when he had woken but his armor was missing from the pile it had been left in the night before. Giving a long stretch with a groan of satisfaction, her muscles feeling well worked and yet still beyond relaxed, she just laid there for a moment, basking in the way she felt. She couldn't recall ever feeling this good - physically or emotionally. Though the darkness still was threatening to consume all she held dear, there was so much light in her life that she could barely feel its stifling oppression in that moment.
Turning her head to the side of the bed he had spent the night on, she noticed a small white note peaking out from under his pillow. Reaching for it, she sat up and read the note:
My beloved Rhea,
I have left to petition the acceptance of you and your friends' sponsorship into the Holy See. Though I know you do not require such, the same cannot be said for Master Alphinaud and Mistress Tataru.
Fear not - even the Fury Herself could not keep me from returning to your side! I hope you will take this opportunity to take much needed rest, eat well and have a relaxing day. To say you have earned it beggars emphasis.
My camp is your camp, my chambers your own. Pray make yourself at home, my love.
Forever and eternally,
Your Knight
Rhea smiled as she ran her finger over the dried ink and his lovely penmanship, her heart near bursting. With a deep breath, she turned and looked out the window. It seemed to be a lovely day, for the sky was bright with its clear blue color and the sun shimmered on the bright snow. By her guess, it was just past midday. She wondered what Alphinaud and Tataru were getting up to.
Slipping out of the warm bed, she picked up her clothes and dressed swiftly before going to Haurchefant's wardrobe and picking up his brush. Devoid of one for herself, she used it quickly to smooth out the tangles of the night before. Once it was tamed, she reached for one of the armor pins he had and finagled it into a working hairpin as she brought back her shaggy bangs and fastened them away from her face.
Making her way down from Haurchefant's chambers, discreetly so as to not be seen, she took a roundabout way to the intercessory. Opening the door, she poked her head in and smiled bright when she saw Tataru sitting at the table, working on a bit of stitching. Though the weight of all that had happened was heavy on her features, the lalafell had seemed like she had found a modicum of peace and contentment.
"What are you working on there?" Rhea asked, stepping into the room and shutting the door behind her to not let out the heat.
Tataru startled slightly then looked over to Rhea, giving a bright smile in return, "Rhea! There you are! Alphinaud has spent all morning looking for you. I think it gave him something else to do other than let his despair eat at him." Setting her project to the side, Tataru slipped off the chair. "I'm just working on a gift for Alphinaud. How are you? You seem…different - not as weighed down as you were last night. I've always said, 'a good night's sleep is worth its weight in gold!'. I knew nothing would keep our Warrior of Light down for long!"
Rhea couldn't help but smile brighter at Tataru, nodding to hide the warmth she felt filling her cheeks. "Yes, a good night's sleep is worth its weight in gold. I slept well and rose early to go for a walk to clear my head. I hope I didn't worry you."
"Only a little, but we both knew if anyone could handle themselves, it would be you!" Tataru chirped with a smile. "Have you eaten yet? Lord Haurchefant made sure we were well fed this morning and we left some for you," the receptionist said, pointing to the table.
Despite being a military camp, the fare was rather appetizing in its simplicity. Porridge in pot, a plate of eggs and an additional plate with various cooked meats was laid out. The true winner of the spread, however, was a pot of traditional Ishgardian tea with a basket of muffins next to it. Rhea's stomach rumbled at the sight. She couldn't actually remember when last she'd ate. It had probably been the morning before the Banquet. Stepping over to the table, she first poured herself a cup of tea, the boiled yak milk infused with Coerthan tea leaves releasing a nostalgic scent that warmed her soul in ways she didn't know needed warming. How long had it been since she'd had tea from her homeland? Too long. She'd formed a taste for coffee being out beyond her borders but there was little that satisfied like a good cup of tea from home.
Bringing it to her lips, she took a sip and though it could have been warmer, she savored it nonetheless. The flavor wrapped her in a hug and the darkness on the edges began to recede a bit more. Having seen Tataru had brought forward all she had tried to work through, and even some she'd suppressed, the night before so it was nice to take a moment of solace to enjoy her tea and gain a better grasp on herself before the heaviness of their predicament threatened to take her again. Too much had happened - too much good - for her to allow it to be overshadowed by all the bad.
A playful giggle of the lalafell next to her drew her from her revere for the drink, "Why did you never tell me how much you liked you tea? I would have learned how to make this stuff properly and would have always had it on hand around the Rising Stones for you!"
Rhea opened her eyes and smiled down to Tataru, "You do enough and I'm a surprisingly simple woman. Besides, your coffee is the best I've ever had. Why ask for something else when that is more than enough for me?"
She got a little 'hmph' in return as she laughed softly and reached for some food, dishing up a plate. Once filled, she leaned against the table and began to pick at the food on her plate. Simple, but delicious. Before she realized it, the food was gone and she was quite full.
"Ah, there you are," said Alphinaud blandly as he stepped into the intercessory with a shiver. Sunny and beautiful though it was, Coerthas was ever frigid and icy since the Calamity. Rhea missed the verdant fields and forests but she supposed there was a beauty to the snow to be had.
Giving a small smile to Alphinaud, it tugged at her heart how hollow and empty he looked. Not even the normal shimmer of light and energy was in his gaze as he trudged into the room and flopped down onto the chair. He looked up at her with a furrow to his brow, "I searched all morning for you. Where were you? No one recalls seeing you retire either last night or be about this morning."
"I rose early and went for a walk to clear my head," Rhea said, hating that she was lying to her closest friends. She hadn't abdicated her position yet though and so for anyone to possibly even overhear her admitting to spending the night with the commander of Camp Dragonhead would have incited a scandal no one needed. It was clear Alphinaud didn't believe her but nor did he press her on it - either out of respect for her to tell him in her own time or, more likely, having no energy to confront it. It hurt her heart to see that in him, and to see him slumped there. He was always the one to inspire and give hope. Seeing him like that, she was resolved that now it was her turn.
Setting her empty plate down, she moved closer to him and leaned on the table there. "We're going to get through this, Alphinaud. We have survived something like this before and we will continue to do so. Yes, things are bleak right now but we are the Scions of the Seventh Dawn. As Minfilia said to me before…" Rhea swallowed the painful memory, her heart twisting for a moment though she pressed on regardless, "she said, 'As long as your flame continues to burn, the light of the dawn may ever be relit! You must escape, and save Eorzea from those who would plunge it into darkness'. She didn't just mean me. We are the flame to reignite the dawn. Hope is not lost and we are not without allies and avenues to move forward. Even now, Hau-–Lord Haurchefant is in the city pleading our case for asylum once more and should that fail, you heard him - we will ever be welcome here in Camp Dragonhead while we recover and rebuild."
Stepping forward, she dropped to one knee beside him. "Alphinaud, you are one of the closest people to me in my life. You and I have seen and been through so much and there is more we will yet go through. We will fight, we will win. We will lose. We will hurt and we will heal. Feel what you are feeling, let it flow through you and process it, but do not be lost to it."
Reaching forward, Rhea took his hand in her own, "I'm going to teach you something my father taught me whenever my fears or anxiety would get the better of me. When its at its worst, and you can't breathe for the crushing weight of the despair you are feeling, look to something - anything. Focus on it. Study it. Look at all the details of it. Like this table. Don't just see the table, see the color of the wood. Look at the grains of the lumber. Find the little notches and scrapes that happened with life. Look at its height and width. Is it sturdy or rickety? Is it old or fairly new? It doesn't matter what you look at, only that you focus on the thing you are looking at."
She smiled warmly to her friend, "It will take your mind from despair, even if for a moment. Should you still be despondent, find something else and continue until the suffocation or panic has subsided."
Taking a deep breath, Alphinaud looked at her then looked to the table. He stared at it for a very long time but neither Rhea nor Tataru moved. They let him look and focus and distract his thoughts. When he finally came back to himself, he actually gave Rhea a small smile, "Thank you, my friend. That helped a little."
She nodded to him and squeezed his hand, "There is nothing we cannot do, Alphinaud, especially together. You are as the little brother I always wanted but got my brood instead. With your brains, my brawn and Tataru's creativity, the Scions will be rebuilt before Eorzea knows what to do. We'll find word on our friends and we will get through this. Okay?"
The young elezen nodded to her then took another deep breath. Standing, Rhea released his hand and reached for a muffin from the basket - a simple bread cooked on a griddle instead of an oven and dusted with cornmeal. She offered it to him. "Eat. It's no archon loaf but I know you and you're too skinny for your own good. You need food to keep up your energy." With a smirk, he nodded softly and took the proffered muffin, pulling off a piece to eat. "I think I am going to go for another walk. I hate being idle and there is nothing to do except wait for Lord Haurchefant to return. I'll make sure to have my linkshell this time so you can reach me. Let me know when the commander returns?"
"You can count on us!" Tataru beamed to Rhea.
"Take care of yourselves and I'll be back soon," she said, grabbing a muffin for herself and sliding the small jar of rolanberry preserves towards Alphinaud. "Try the spread, it's divine." And with that, she and her muffin made for the door.
Stepping out into the brisk afternoon air, she closed her eyes and smiled as the sun shone on her face, giving her some warmth. With her own deep breath, she began to head to the west as she picked at her muffin as she walked.
Her steps took her to the Gates of Judgement and though she intended to continue on, she found herself pausing a moment and looking up at it. It was sobering to look upon and her thoughts turned to recent events and what awaited them on the other side. A momentary surge of aether was the only warning she got to the formation of Midgardsormr at her side. With guards around, she made no movement to acknowledge the miniature serpent, but that did not stop him from speaking regardless.
"Heh heh heh. Thou thinkest sanctuary lieth beyond? Delusion. Despair. Death. Thou shalt find naught else here," he said to her as she looked at the looming and war scorched gates before her.
Something about the way he spoke sent a shiver of fate down her spine. Though she wanted to believe there was hope beyond those walls, she knew her homeland all too well. It was not going to be easy and while allies were behind those walls, countless enemies were abound too. Try as she had, she knew taking refuge back home would be an end to her trying to stay out of its affairs. Perhaps this was a chance - a chance to bring peace for her people.
But at what cost?
She didn't want to get distracted to the point that the Scions suffered because of her. They had to rebuild, they had to learn of their friends, they had to right things in Ul'dah. To get embroiled in a thousand year war would not make those goals any easier. However, there was an echo of destiny to Midgardsormr's words as he faded back to wherever he went. As the sky began to fill with clouds, Rhea knew that if they crossed that threshold, everything would change.
~.~..~.~...~.~..~.~
It was early in the evening when Rhea returned from her walk and she found Tataru and Alphinaud both still in the intercessory when she stepped in. The food had been cleared away but by the smell, fresh tea had been brought. Tataru was puttering on her needlework and Alphinaud was engrossed in a book, both giving her a smile when she entered.
"Have a nice walk, Rhea?" Tataru asked.
"I did, thank you. I tried to return before the weather turned too bad though I suspect quite a storm is on its way. I had forgotten how beautiful my homeland was, even buried beneath all the ice and snow," she said, walking over and pouring herself a fresh cup of tea and enjoying it as she warmed.
As she took a sip, Alphinaud looked at her with a set expression of determination. "I've been thinking about what you said, what everyone has said since we got here. The dawn's light will shine again...but so long as we have these specious accusations hanging over us, we will struggle to achieve anything. You must go to Ishgard, as Tataru proposed. I will return to Ul'dah and set things right."
The door to the intercessory opened and turning her head, Rhea lit up at the sight of Haurchefant. She quickly schooled her reaction, of course, but if anyone had been looking closely at her, and not him, they'd have seen a flicker of her feelings for him. "Pray, do not be so hasty, Master Alphinaud."
"Lord Haurchefant?" Alphinaud asked questioningly, confusion written on his young features as he set his book aside and stood.
"Full well do I understand your desire to clear your names," the lord said as he strode into the intercessory, the door closing behind him. "But now is not the time for drastic action. You yet have allies upon whom you can rely. There is no need to act alone."
The smile he gave Alphinaud warmed Rhea's heart as she nodded to Alphinaud, "He's right, Alphinaud. Haste at this juncture will only hasten our descent. We must needs recover, recuperate and make a plan."
Alphinaud closed his eyes for a moment, "Yes...yes, of course. Pray forgive my impatience." A small smile formed on his lips in response to Haurchefant's own smile and ever upbeat and positive nature. It was hard to be sad around such a man.
Haurchefant's sapphire blue eyes turned to Rhea as he beamed brightly to her, "I bring tidings! Count Edmont has decreed that the three of you be taken in as wards of House Fortemps. Under our patronage, you shall be granted access to the city proper."
Rhea looked at him with surprise. To be accepted into the city was a boon she'd not thought to be granted so easily, but to be formally welcomed as wards of House Fortemps, and the Count himself? It was a considerable and significant windfall for them. Though she didn't need to be a ward under House Fortemps herself - in truth, she could even seen problems arising because of it - her friends did. Whatever would come from the politics of this decision, it was worth it to grant them sanctuary.
Haurchefant continued, "Pray consider our manor your new headquarters, from which you may gather information and plan how best to proceed. Needless to say, should any of your missing allies be found - as I am certain they shall - they will of course be welcome to join you there."
"You are more than generous, my friend. On behalf of my fellows, I humbly accept your offer of hospitality," Alphinaud said, his smile brightening further. Glimpses of the Alphinaud she knew were beginning to emerge again.
"The count is a good man and just," Haurchefant said to Alphinaud then looked once more to Rhea. It was as if he could sense the anxiety she had regarding the potential for political fallout for this. "He will treat you with the kindness and respect that a hero - and dear friend - deserves."
She gave him a warm smile and a nod, "We shall forever be in your father's debt, my lord, as we will be in yours. His generosity is greatly appreciated and I look forward to making his acquaintance - however, it would not have happened had you not been our greatest ally and advocated for us. Thank you."
The look they shared was all that was needed for him to know how much she appreciated it and for her to know that he had been happy and honored to do it. "To Ishgard, then - together!" Alphinaud piped up and the anxiety was suppressed for want of the good mood now in the air. Still, Rhea's gaze held fast to Haurchefant's and his to her own as Alphinaud continued, "There we shall carry on the Scions' legacy. There we shall begin anew."
Tataru jumped up excitedly, "Hear, hear!"
"I must go on ahead and speak with the count. Fear not, however, for everything has been arranged. The sentries at the Gates of Judgement have been informed of our decision. You need but state your names, and they will allow you to pass. My manservant shall be waiting for you at the city gates, ready to escort you to our manor, where we shall meet again. Until then!" Haurchefant said, his gaze lingering on Rhea through much of it before looking to the others and giving a bow to them. "Oh and...pray, my lady, return to your chambers 'ere you depart. I obtained something for you while I was in the city that I am sure will do much to set some of your worries to ease." With another bow, he smiled and departed.
Rhea looked to her friends as he left, "To Ishgard, then."