Wings: Back!

Heart: Are you sure that's such a good thing?

Wings: Ignore her, she's got issues.

Heart: (Pulls out bat)

! Censored !

Author's Note: Hey guys! I'm sorry it's been a while since I was able to write. I've been spending all of my time on an English project. I'm glad It's finally done! Now I have time to work on fics! A New one is in the works, but don't worry, it won't take time away from this one.

Heart: Like they care.

Reviews

Magebear7 : I have notoriously bad punctuation/ spelling.

Sakura Irving: (Sigh) This chapter's not that long. O Well, I think I did better with the "mood".

That'sAUnderstatement: WELL HERE'S SOME MORE! lol

Tootsiepopgurl: LOL! Naesala is I have to admit, not matter how mean he is.

Disclaimer :Not mine, though I wish a few characters were.

Chapter 6

Coping in Serenes

Narya stood in front of the large oak door of the two story stone house, a brown bag hung from one shoulder. Raising a hand she knocked on the door. A resounding echo

reverberated throughout the house.

"Coming!" A kindly voice called. A few moments later, an older Heron woman threw the door open, grey curls coming loose from her bun.

Aunt Hetria was a kind old woman, but also very strict. If Narya put a single toe out of line, Hetria would become very cross. Her unlined face bore no traces of age, but instead wisdom and protectiveness. She was Narya's appointed guardian by the Heron Council.

"Hello, Aunt Hetria." Narya said with a small smile.

"Now's that any way to greet your aunt?" She asked while hugging the beorc girl. For a moment Narya hugged her back. She could feel the comfort of her aunts arms where she had cried once. But she wouldn't need to this time, she was stronger now.

After Hetria released her, she stepped inside to admit the young woman. "How have you been?" She asked, her voice was old, but clear. "Anything interesting happen while you were away?"

"No, but is there ever?" Narya replied in monotone. Hetria wrinkled her nose in thought, something was wrong with the girl.

She studied Narya until she dismissed the thought. Maybe paranoia comes with old age. She thought to her self. Turning to face her niece she smiled. " Well lunch is on the table. Come and eat."

Hetria had placed her usual lunch of forest fruits on the table in the kitchen, making sure to place an extra helping of Narya's favorite on her plate. Despite the generous meal, Narya scarcely touched her food. Instead she moved it around her plate with her fork. Her chin in her hand.

Hetria observed the girl for a while, until she had come to the conclusion that she was not paranoid. Something was defiantly wrong.

"What's the matter, child?" She asked placing her fork carefully on the table top.

"Nothing" Narya said, straitening in her seat.

"Then why are you sulking?" The Heron said in an exasperated voice.

"I am not sulking, " Narya said meeting her aunts steady gaze. She then realized that she wasn't going to win the argument. "May I be excused? I'm going to go for a walk."

Without waiting for an answer, Narya stood up and walked toward the front door.

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Walking was a mindless task, it left her thoughts to wonder. She knew it wasn't good to allow her mind to do so, she knew where her thoughts would end up. I can't believe he left...I never expected him to stay long, but I never imagined him actually leaving so soon. It's for the better, I suppose. If he had stayed any longer...it would have been much harder to let him go.

Narya made her way through the crowded streets of the Heron city. Barely noticing the citizens who nodded as she passed by. The trees beautiful trees that provided shade couldn't even distract her today. Her thoughts belonged to Zihark for the moment.

She walked on for what seemed to be an eternity. She had made her way through the market and the gardens before she realized she was standing on the bank of the Serenes River. Looking around, she seemed to be alone.

Narya sat on a large rock that hung out over the water and removed her boots. Placing her feet into the gently flowing, icy waters, a gasp escaped her. She withdrew her feet then replaced them slowly. Fish darted around her ankles and the sun peeked through the gaps between the tree branches.

This place was peaceful, like all of Serenes. It had a quiet calm about it that comforted in many ways. She closed her eyes and turned her face skyward, feeling the warm sun upon her face. For a moment her mind ceased to wonder and she was at peace with herself.

"Are you going to sit like that all day?"

Narya's eyes shot open and she turned. Reyson stood quietly under a tree hidden in the shadows.

"I never thought you were one to spy." She said crossly as she stood.

"My deepest apologies." He said bowing playfully.

She didn't respond, but instead she looked out over the river. He could still see her face. It was blank. The smile and the playful look in her eye was gone, replaced by a far off expression that saddened Reyson.

What ever had happened while she was away, he would not ask. Not now at least. He could tell that these emotions she had were new in coming. He would wait for the right time to speak with her about it. Today was not that day.

"Would you like to walk with me?" He asked hoping to break the tension.

A small sad smile spread across her lips. "Yes, Reyson. Thank you."

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Narya and Reyson had spent most of there walk in silence. They both were buried in their own thoughts, the other seemed to pay no mind as the two had wondered aimlessly.

When Narya returned home later that night she went straight to her room and absentmindedly began to unpack her bag. She placed her clothes into a chest in the corner of the room and listened to the rain tap on her window, as a gloomy light leaked in between the curtains.

She felt tired, emotionally and physically. So she barely noticed the yellow envelope fall out of her bag as she tossed it aside. She knelt and picked up the paper, turning it in her hands as she stood. She saw that her name was printed carefully across the front.

Sitting on the edge of her bed she carefully opened the letter. She was overcome by curiosity as a small flower fell into her lap, along with folded papers.

Narya,

I'm sorry, I know I have said this before, but I feel I must repeat myself. I never should have said those things.

I wish to apologize for leaving. I would have explained myself and my reasons, but it's so much harder to do in person than in a letter. As I have said before, I never stay any where for long. I do this to avoid making ties and connections. Once I feel close to a person or a place I leave. I've found it much easier to continue living that way, it eliminates the pain. I would elaborate, but my ship is sailing soon, and I need to get this letter to Takanshi before departure.

What I wish to say in this letter is that you've been a good friend. And I do not use the word frequently. I know that you'll do great things with your life and I wish you the best of luck in all of them. You have affected my life in a way I'm afraid you may never know. It's better that way.

Do not dwell on my memory. Do not think of me at all. That's the last thing I can ask of you.

May the Saints be with you.

-Zihark

Narya reread the letter once, and then again. Placing the letter on the bedside table she picked up the flower that lay in her lap. It was a Slightly crushed Goldoian Rose. She touched one of it's delicate Blue petals with the tip of her fingers. The tears she'd been holding back then came.

Narya cried herself to sleep.

Wings: You're making this story depressing!

BWSH: I'm Sorry!

Heart: (In a Straight jacket).

BWSH And Wings: (looking at Heart) What? No Comment?

Heart: (sticks out tongue)