Hi there, thanks for your enthusiasm and support Jc! You too Moro!
Chapter 21--A Family Shattered
Isolanthe watched Kai walk away then looked at her eldest son with sorrow and pity. "Your actions brought this on you. This day forward I have only two sons, not three," she said and followed her son.
Aragorn soon was left alone with Tyon as the other Centaurs walked away. "You were the one that took Legolas from the village and nearly got him killed?" Aragorn asked.
"Yes, but I was a fool to do so and now I am no longer a part of this tribe. You can kill me if you wish. No one here will stop you or blame you," Tyon said. He hoped Aragorn would then his shame would end.
"I will not kill you. You will live and remember what you did to your people and your family. That is a far worst punishment then death," Aragorn said.
Tyon glared, eyes dark and haunted with grief. Turning, he galloped off and soon was out of sight in the distance.
Aragorn could find no sympathy in his heart for Tyon. Legolas and Jaisia were lost to them, perhaps forever and half the tribe had been killed. He had caused it all. He went to find Kai and Isolanthe. He finally found them where their shelter used to be.
"My mate and twins are unharmed, but my little brother and sister are gone, along with many of my people. Lilith was the oldest and wisest of us and she is dead also. It is almost to much to endure," Kai said.
"I have only one child left. I want my daughter and son back! Is there nothing we may do, Aragorn?" Isolanthe asked.
"I do not know, but I will find a way somehow," Aragorn said. He knew deep inside though that it would be next to impossible to find Jaisia and Legolas. Their best hope was that the pair were resourceful enough to find a way to escape themselves.
Kai took a deep breath. "At least we know that they still live. I will know if they…die," he said.
Isolanthe seemed to find hope in that. She raised her head proudly. "We must concern ourselves with those that are still alive and here. We will need to rebuild the shelters and hunt for food to replace what was taken or destroyed," she said. "I am chieftess of the clan now and there is much to do." She moved away to direct the other Centaurs on what needed to be done.
"Your mother is a remarkable Centaur. I admire her strength. Jaisia has the same strength and she and Legolas are a formable pair. I think they will find a way to freedom," Aragorn said.
"Yes, you are right. They will be back, but I am sorry that this happened, Aragorn. I know that you and Legolas are as close as brothers. None of us ever suspected that Tyon would do such an evil thing. He broke the most sacred law of the tribe. He will never be allowed to return because of it," Kai said.
"Like your mother said there is much that needs to be done. Let us go and help with the burden," Aragorn said.
Man and Centaur walked off to start rebuilding a shattered tribe.
Meanwhile
Tyon galloped on and on without really having a direction or purpose in mind. He wanted to escape his shame and guilt, but he could not. It would haunt him the rest of his life. He headed straight for a deep canyon that he had seen one day. Pausing at the edge, he peered down at the jagged rocks at the bottom. "Atonement is required for my actions and this is the best I can think of. I am sorry, my family, my people," he whispered. He moved ten feet from the edge then ran towards it, leaping into space. It seemed like it took a long time to reach the bottom. Pain ripped through his body as he landed, but he felt only relief that his pain was over.
Tyon choose to end his life because of guilt. This will be the last update for this month. I am going to New York for the holiday. I'll start updating again on the third hopefully. Happy Holidays! R/R please!