Author Notes: Hope you've enjoyed Arelle so far! Remember, comments and suggestions are always welcome. Send me an email at amai@sailorchibimoon.com, or leave a comment! I'd really appreciate it ^.^
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Chaper 11: Moren's Childhood
A young High-Elf paused in front of the large, stone gate. His clothes were expensive and clean, but they had stains and worn spots covering them, showing they had been well worn. Beside the man, grasping tightly at his hand, was a little boy. The boy had a look of marvel on his face as he looked at the great gate and the large, white house behind it.
"This is it," the man spoke. The boy looked on in awe."This, Poppa? Are you sure?" asked the boy.
"I could never forget the house I grew up in," the man replied. The man walked to the guard standing at the side of the gate and began to talk to him.
"I am Rehlan Tello An'tomahsi, son of the late Marmall An'tomahi. I have come to see my mother, Mirel," the man, Rehlan Tello, said. The guard looked at the man, and then at the little boy grasping his father's hand.
"She has been expecting you. Come, follow me," the guard said, opening the gates for them and leading them down a path through the gardens to the house. All the while that they walked, the little boy gazed at everything around them and marveled at its magnificence.
"This place is really pretty, Poppa! I wish Momma were here to see it! Why didn't Momma come, Poppa?" the boy asked his father. Rehlan continued to walk, not looking down at his son.
"It would have caused difficulties," he replied.
The boy paused, thinking, "What does that mean, Poppa?"
"Look at that pretty pond over there. See that pond? I spent much of my time as a child at that pond," Rehlan said. The boy was immediately distracted from his conversation, and looked over to see the green pond with the sunlight dancing upon its surface.
They reached the house now, and walked up the large stone steps, through the doorway, and into the spacious house. There, a ways in front of them, waiting for them, was a middle-aged lady, hair tied back neatly, with silver-white hair and green eyes. She was smiling widely, and as she ran to them, her expensive, flowing garments swerving back and forth about her. Once she was by them, she paused for a second, looking into Rehlan's eyes, before jumping into his arms, hugging him. He hugged her back, and as they stood there, the woman began to wipe away tears of joy. After a few minutes of this she pulled away from her son and looked him up and down. He caught a somewhat disapproving look in her eyes when she saw his worn clothes, but overall, she looked overjoyed to see him. She paused when she caught a glimpse of the little boy hiding behind his leg.
"Why... This must be little Moren!" The woman, Mirel, said while staring at him. Moren stared at her from behind his father's leg, too shy to come out.
"Yes, Mother. This is Moren Natsu An'tomahi. My son." He said, urging Moren to come out from behind his leg by gently pushing him. "Son, this is your Grandmother. Say hello to her," he said, urging Moren. Moren stared up at her.
"Hello, Moren dear. It's wonderful to finally meet you! And aren't you as cute as a kitten?" Mirel said, smiling at the boy.
"Hello... Grandmum... " Moren said, still behind his father's leg. She smiled with pleasure.
"Why don't you come into the dining room, so we can talk?" Mirel asked, addressing Rehlan.
"That would be great," Rehlan replied.
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And so the evening passed, and after much talking and visiting, Rehlan stood up to leave.
"Leaving so soon, Rehlan?" Mirel asked, standing up as well. Moren, who had quietly sat by his father the whole time, now got up, too.
"Yes, I'm afraid so, Mother. I must get back by night fall," Rehlan said.
"Why? It's the first time we've really gotten to see each other is five years!" Mirel asked. Rehlan looked somewhat awkward before answering,
"I promised Kilani," Rehlan replied. Mirel frowned.
"The Wood-Elf," she mumbled to herself, then regretted it. Rehlan frowned at her.
"Yes, the Wood-Elf. The woman I love. My wife," Rehlan shot back. They both paused in awkwardness. "Come, Mother, let us no longer quarrel about this. They are but old wounds that could quickly heal up and leave nothing but faint scars if left alone. What has been done has been done, and though we may regret some things, it does not help to linger on them and quarrel about them," Rehlan said.
"You are right, son. Past is past," Mirel said, smiling at her son.
"We shall see each other again, I hope? Before we leave again?" Rehlan asked.
"Oh, yes, of course we shall! The festival starts the day after tomorrow, and lasts three days! That means you'll be able to stay in Felwithe for five whole days! What a blessing it is that the King has declared a festival in honor of the armies who conquered the orcs in their last battle. I heard it was because of the King's servant, a Wizard called Asheetin. I heard he led them to victory," Mirel said, joyfully.
"It is a blessing indeed, Mother," Rehlan said, smiling.
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Moren lay down on his back with his eyes closed, but he was not asleep. He could hear the quiet crackle of the campfire beside him. Why were all these memories coming back suddenly, he wondered? These memories of his childhood... Of his family... They only caused pain to him. He lay still, trying to fall asleep, but sleep did not fall upon him. He opened his eyes and looked about the camp, unmoving. Unconsciously, his gaze rested on the sleeping figure of Arelle.
After dinner she had accidentally fallen asleep by the fire, and none of the party wanted to have to wake the sleeping girl. Sleeping by the fire instead of inside the tent with Lilliah might be warmer for her, too. Arelle was incredibly strong and mature for her age. No wonder, for she had had to face many more troubles and difficulties in her life than any normal youth of her age.
Moren closed his eyes as he began to recall more of the scraps of his childhood memories.
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"Ah, it is good to see you again this morning, Rehlan!" Mirel said, hugging her son who had just stepped into the house. "Unfortunately, you caught me at a rather bad time..." she said. "You see, in a few minutes one of my friends is going to have a party. Something like a pre-festival thing. I'm afraid I won't be back for another hour or two," Mirel said.
"Oh, that is fine, Mother," Rehlan said.
"I see you brought little Moren, too," said Mirel, glancing down at the boy. "Oh, what I shame I can not talk to you for long! Oh, but wait! I have a splendid idea! Would you mind letting little Moren come to the party with me?" Rehlan was surprised, but pondered the idea.
"Of course I'll keep him with me the whole time," said Mirel. "I'll keep a keen watch on him. And there'll be lots of other little boys and girls there, too! He will have a wonderful time. It will be quite an opportunity," Mirel ended, happily.
"I would, Mother, but I'm afraid he's never been apart from both his parents, and I don't think he'd know what to do. Besides, he wasn't brought up noble. He'll stick out form the other children and be mocked. And what if they find out that he is half Wood-Elf? They'd never leave him alone then," Rehlan said, frowning at the idea.
"Oh... I suppose you have a point, Rehlan. Very well. I just wanted to spend some time with my grandson," Mirel ended, unhappily. Rehlan felt somewhat guilty of depriving his mother from the chance to get to know his son.
"Well, to make it up to you," Rehlan said, "why don't you take Moren somewhere else today? Not to a party... not to a place where he could be so easily made fun of. But how about taking him to town, if you wish? It is true that you don't know each other as grandmother and grandson should. Would you like that, Mother? Or would Moren be a burden to you?" Rehlan asked.
"A burden? Why, or all the... No! Of course not! I would be delighted to take Moren to town! Oh, that would be such fun! Yes... Oh, yes. Then, it's settled?" Mirel asked.
"It's settled," Rehlan replied.
"Ok, can you bring him here in two hours after my party, please? And then we'll go to town, ok?" Mirel said, excitedly.
"Very well. Enjoy the party!" Rehlan said to Mirel as she walked down the path, waving goodbye to them.
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"Poppa, do I have to go?" Moren asked as he and his father walked down the path to the gates of his grandmother's house.
"Son, you'll have a great time. If I know the one thing Mother is good at, it's spoiling a child," Rehlan said, smiling ruefully.
"What does that mean, Poppa?" Moren asked.
"It means that she'll want to buy you lots of toys and sweets," Rehlan said. They were at the gate now, and after a word with the guard, they were let in. When they entered the house, Mirel was waiting for them, as always.
"Rehlan! Moren dear!" Mirel called, embracing Rehlan as she did every time she saw him. "What fun we shall have today, little Moren!" she said, turning to Moren and kneeling down to face him.
"Yes, Grandmum. Poppa says you're good at spoiling a child, and that you'll buy me lots of toys and sweets!" Moren said grinning innocently.
Mirel paused. "Did he really? Well, I shan't disappoint him!" Mirel said, taking Moren's hand.
"Then I should pick him up at noon?" Rehlan asked Mirel.
"Oh, so soon? That will only give us four hours together!" Mirel complained.
"Four hours is plenty, Mother," Rehlan said.
"Very well. Noon, then," Mirel said, sighing. "Oh, and don't worry, Rehlan. I'll take good care of him! Don't worry, I've had practice being a mother before!"
"True, Mother. And compared to me, Moren wouldn't be much trouble for you to handle, I'm sure!" Rehlan said, smiling.
"My dear son, compared to you, Moren is a most heavenly angel!" Mirel said, laughing. Rehlan tried to give her a dirty look, but failed, and began laughing himself.
"Very well, Mother. Then I leave him to you," Rehlan said, turning to leave.
"Yes, Rehlan. I'll take good care of him! We'll have so much fun, just you wait and see!" Mirel said, smiling while waving Rehlan off.