It has been a lifetime since I updated. I'm gearing things up for the Earth-Romulan War. Apologies for hiatus and cheers!
The transition from Vulcan to the Vulcan embassy on Earth held more red tape than Soval expected. Elonat knew this from the agitated eye twitch she'd noted over dinner and the sarcastic tone of voice that eked into his vocal inflection when speaking with his aides. Of course, someone less versed in Vulcan ways would completely miss these subtleties, but to Elonat it was a glaring sign that all was not well. Soval did not share everything with her when she asked only that while the Terran government seemed amiable to her temporary residence being at the Vulcan embassy, it was his government that was causing more of the fuss. And without saying so, Elonat knew it had everything to do with Eivindr
From a human perspective, Eivindr was just another Vulcan. Of course, a surprising hybrid that survived where the highly publicized clone hybrid of Tucker and T'Pol had not survived. From a Vulcan perspective, Eivindr was akin to an abomination. Granted, only a few in the High Council even knew of his Romulan origins, namely Elonat's clan mother, but among those that knew, there was a growing concern of what might happen if the humans were to discover the great secret. That Romulans and Vulcans were not so different in appearance and yet startlingly different in affectation. Where one was an ally, the other was burgeoning on becoming an enemy. So soon after the Terra Prime incident, the High Council worried that enough paranoia could take root in the Terran government to turn the entirety of humanity against them, calling them false and throwing them into the same category of risk as the Romulans.
If Elonat and Eivindr were allowed to leave Vulcan and reside at the embassy in San Francisco, he must never be subjected to scans that could betray his true origins. In fact, it was forbidden that he was allowed to ever leave the embassy itself for fear of his abduction by the likes of Terra Prime or worse. All this, and more, were what tugged at the edges of Soval's eyes whenever he looked at Elonat's son, what seemed to suck the warmth from his body whenever he returned a brief touch of affection.
And for Elonat, persona non grata, she felt more anger at Soval's helpless feeling than she did at her own plight. Where she'd finally found a piece of home in her son's embrace and could be content nearly anywhere so long as she had him, it pained her that her very existence within Soval's walls was impeding his duties as ambassador to Earth. There was far more to take care of between Vulcan and Earth now that there were whispers of Romulans moving along borders. With each passing day, Elonat couldn't help but feel Soval would be better at his job, and it would better prepare both Earth and Vulcan for whatever was to come next if she was no longer a part of his life.
These thoughts she kept to herself, of course. Elonat knew if she even whispered a portion of these ideas to Soval, his already taxed control would weaken further, and she'd potentially cause him to embarrass himself with an emotional outburst. Elonat did not doubt his affection for her or Eivindr; his loyalty and dedication were of the caliber sung about in the great poems of ancient Earth. But it was in this reality of unwavering loyalty that Elonat knew Soval was weak. She was his weakness, and no one could afford a weak Vulcan ambassador now.
Elonat hated the duplicity, hated the lies, but she was willing to commit them if it meant protecting Soval from himself and positioning relations between Earth and Vulcan for a better alliance. This was no life for Soval, no life for Eivindr or herself. And so, while Soval was off to argue, yet again, with the High Council, Elonat was left to her own devices in his city dwelling and capitalized on her solitude.
As Eivindr napped in his cradle by her knee, Elonat used the console code given to her "in case of emergency" by an old friend. It took a few moments for a connection to be made, just long enough for Elonat to presume failure when the lively face of none other than Brenna Jones popped into view.
"As I live and breathe, Elonat!"
It had been so long since she'd last seen her friends on the Enterprise—even Lizzie had gone back to her posting—that the sound of Brenna's voice and the sight of her bright smile stung. Elonat didn't realize she was sobbing until she heard Brenna's repeated calls for her attention broke through her weeping.
"Am I mounting a rescue? What the hell happened, Elonat? Is Soval being an ass?"
Elonat took a deep breath. If ever there was anyone she could tell all to it would be Brenna. The woman lost in time and reality was the closest thing, aside from Eivindr, to family Elonat had. She was the only one who "got it" about so much of Elonat's melancholy and pain. So, through halting breaths, Elonat briefed Brenna on everything that had transpired since they'd last spoken. To her credit, the typically effervescent woman remained quiet with a stoic expression throughout the tale, but the minute Elonat finished, Brenna launched into a flurry of instructions.
"You need to give me a few days, but I've got an idea on how to get you out of there and back home. And yes, Elonat, Earth is your home. For as much as its changed, this is where you belong. Where your son belongs. I took it upon myself to check up on some things, and you might be surprised to know that Yew Valley Farms still exists and it is still registered in your family name. Though your disappearing back there would be too obvious if Soval or anyone else decided to come looking for you, but I think I know who to talk to about finding a place for you and little Eivy to lay low." Brenna looked off-screen and sounded to be tapping furiously on a PADD before returning her attention to Elonat. "Be at the district square in one week's time. I'll have a contact meet you there who can be trusted."
Letting out a mewl, Eivindr reached blindly into the world, hungry yet again. Elonat scooped him up and quickly nestled him against her chest, not caring if the action disturbed Brenna.
"I don't know, Brenna. This seems extreme. Things aren't so dire that-"
Brenna held up a hand to interrupt Elonat, "Yes, they are, Elonat. I respect Soval for not telling you everything, but we're officially at war with the Romulans. Last week, the USS Patton encountered an invasion fleet in the Rigel system. This was a direct violation of the supposed peace talks we've been in for months now. If you don't get off Vulcan now, depending on how things go with this war, I don't know if you ever will. And you're one hundred percent right, we need Soval and his peers thinking completely about these problems and less on the political ramifications of have a hybrid-Romulan baby bouncing about the world." Her eyes darting down to the nursing baby, Brenna softened her voice, "Are you going to tell Soval about this?"
"It seems the most logical thing to do; otherwise, it would only distract him further if I just up and disappear. I won't tell him everything so he doesn't have to lie, but I'll tell him enough to reassure him I'll be ok. Then once this war blows over, maybe he can come find me discretely."
Brenna shrugged, her expression denoting her lack of complete agreement on the matter, but she didn't seem keen on arguing further. The woman's eyes darted off screen again and another flurry of tapping sounded before Brenna cleared her throat and leaned closer to the viewscreen.
"I have to go now. But again, one week from now, this time, district square. You don't need to pack anything other than your baby." Elonat nodded, eyes wide. At seeing her expression, Brenna waved a hand and winked, the switch from serious to mirth almost jarring to watch. "Don't worry, Elonat. This isn't my first rodeo. It'll be fine. Just kiss Eivy and mess up Soval's hair for me in the meantime."
Elonat ended the call with marginally higher hopes than she'd begun it. Looking at the time, however, had her stomach clenching. Soval was due back in only a matter of hours and she had just that amount of time to concoct a logic-proof reason for her escape from Vulcan to share with him.