A/N: Hurrah, hurrah, update! :)
Elyose watched as Karolyn fidgeted with her embroidery, and finally put it down. She sighed...it was no use.
"Karo, can't you just stop," she began, exasperated. Karo turned to pin her with a sharp glance, cutting her words off with a knife of silence.
"Mother, you don't understand," her daughter said, sounding annoyed and a little frightened. "You weren't here...you didn't see what Naril did to him. I won't see him hurt like that again, I won't."
"They're lifebonded, Karo. Whatever he feels, she feels, and she's a Herald, for Astera's sake. Put your prejudices aside for one moment!"
"No," Karolyn said simply, then turned back to the window.
Elyose sighed. She hadn't taught her daughter well enough. I hope Karo remembers her manners and at least pretends to welcome the girl...
"Mama!" Tamsin popped in the window. "Grandmama, Uncle Dirk's home!" He popped out again, as Karo let out a warning shout and got up.
"Try to be open-minded," she said. Karo shook her head, then went after her son.
"Mother?" Dirk's voice. Elyose sighed. Somehow she had missed them. Perhaps they came down the north road? But why?
"Coming, love, coming." She got up, feeling her bones creak, and went over to the door. There he was, smiling happily and holding the hand of a small woman with large brown eyes and a sweet, heart-shaped face. The uncertainty in those eyes and on that face made Elyose's heart ache, and she resolved to keep Karo away from the poor youngling until she could talk some sense into her daughter.
"Hello, Mother," Dirk said, warmly. "This is my wife, Talia. Love, this is my mother."
Talia stepped forward, a smile warming her eyes, although not dispelling the uncertainty there. "Hello," she said, in a soft, shy voice.
"Hello, dear. It's wonderful to meet you at last. Astera knows Dirk's talked and talked about you and made us all wild with curiosity!" Elyose smiled warmly at the girl. "I understand you share my Gift."
"If you mean Empathy, yes, I do." She spoke quickly, and quietly, in a light contralto that reminded Elyose of the woodlark Dirk had brought home, the last time he'd been home, three years ago. Which reminded her...
She shot Dirk a narrow-eyed glance. "Dare I hope you managed to convince my son to come home at last?" Dirk had the grace to look embarrassed.
Talia laughed. "No, it was entirely Selenay's fault we've stayed away so long. What with the war, and all..." She fell suddenly silent, and Dirk gave her hand a squeeze. Elyose smiled inwardly at the display of affection, and nodded sympathetically at the girl. "I've been on duty too much," Talia finally continued.
"Ah, well, I suppose I'll have to forgive you, now that you're finally here," she said, cheerfully. "Come and meet the rest. Dirk, you've got your usual room, so if you want to take the bags up..." She raised her eyebrow, and hoped that Dirk caught the broad hint.
Dirk grinned and winked at her, giving the impression that he had indeed caught the hint. His next words confirmed it. "Yes, Mother. Play nice, all right?" He gave Elyose a large hug, kissed Talia warmly and went back out the door towards the stables.
Elyose sighed. "He's a good boy, but he can be dense sometimes," she explained to Talia. "Come along, now, dear, my husband's in the kitchen."