Chapter 63: Homecoming Part 2
Nimbrethil had just entered the village when she saw her father coming towards her. She had figured that he would know she was there as soon as she arrived, he always was alert to people passing near West Harbor. What stopped her in her tracks was the fact that Cormick was walking beside Daeghun. She had not expected to see the Marshall here and wondered why he had come home after all this time.
"I see you have returned," Daeghun said, a note of disapproval in his voice. "If you still have the shards then you are putting the village at risk, so make your visit short."
"Trust me, I don't plan on being here longer than necessary," Nimbrethil snorted. He should know that, for he knew how she felt about most of the people here. "What brings you here Cormick?" she asked as she turned to the Marshall.
"I needed a break from all the happenings in Neverwinter," Cormick answered. "Also, I brought Lorne's body home to his mother for burial." He watched as a fleeting look of distaste crossed Nimbrethil's face before an expressionless mask slipped over it. "I've already told Retta and Bevil about what happened, if that's why you've come here."
"Actually the thought never crossed my mind," Nimbrethil answered coolly. "I had more important reasons for coming."
"I thought Bevil was your friend?" Cormick asked. "Don't you think, as his friend, that you should have given thought to how he might feel about the death of his brother?"
"Bevil hardly knew Lorne," Nim stated flatly. "He certainly wouldn't remember what Lorne had been like."
Daeghun heard the contempt in her voice as she spoke of Lorne, despite her attempts to conceal it. He had to wonder why he had not been aware of it before and he wondered what could have caused such feelings. He then noticed the human man standing close to her, a ranger by the looks of him. Something about the man sent a warning tingle down his spine. The way the man stood, one hand lightly on his daughter's shoulder, indicated an intimacy between them.
Nimbrethil saw that Daeghun was now focused on those she had brought with her and quickly made introductions. She saw her father's eyes narrow as she introduced Bishop and sighed inwardly. He obviously had intuited the nature of their relationship and was not happy.
"I would like a word with you Nimbrethil," Daeghun said flatly. "In private," he insisted and turned to move away from them.
Nimbrethil told the others to wait where they were and then followed her father. After they had gone several yards he stopped and turned to face her. As good as he was at hiding his feelings from everyone, Nim was still able to tell that he was angry by the tightness around his eyes. "What did you want to talk about father?" she asked, even though she already had a good idea.
"That man you are with, Bishop, is your lover is he not?" Daeghun asked, his tone holding disapproval.
"Not that it is really any of your business who I sleep with, but yes," she replied, her chin lifted and her eyes holding a challenge.
Daeghun saw the challenge but ignored it. "I have warned you about getting involved with humans. You are setting yourself up for disappointment and heartache."
"I enjoy Bishop's company father," Nim stated flatly, her voice taking on a hard edge. "We have a great deal in common and the sex is great," she added, a slight note of vicious humor in her voice.
Daeghun narrowed his eyes at his daughter, "If you are trying to unsettle me with your words you will have to do better than that Nim." He saw her look away and decided to speak his mind, even though he knew it would probably fall on deaf ears. "Since you have been foolish enough to get involved with that man, and since I can see that nothing I say will change your mind about it, I will only say this. Watch your back daughter, for that man is dangerous and untrustworthy. He is capable of hurting you in more ways than one."
"If you are finished with your lecture, perhaps we can discuss more important matters than my personal relationships," Nimbrethil retorted.
Daeghun felt his lips twitch a little at her defiant tone. She was every bit as stubborn as her mother had been, and he had never been able to stop Esmerelle from doing what she wanted, regardless of how foolish or dangerous it was. Sighing inwardly he let the matter go for it would serve no purpose to continue. "What matters do you wish to discuss then daughter?" he asked.
Nimbrethil told him of the observations she and the others had made on their trip through the woods and the Mere. She saw his eyes narrow in speculation when she mentioned the Weeping Willow. "There is something very wrong in the land around these parts father, but what the trouble is I haven't been able to discover. I was hoping you might have some light to shed on the matter."
"Unfortunately I have not been able to come up with an explanation for the current situation," Daeghun told her. "The fact that the inn has been closed up indicates a much greater problem in the land than I had thought."
"You may be good at hiding what you're thinking from others, but I can tell that you are holding back," Nimbrethil shrewdly looked at her father. "I trust your instincts and even your theories have proven to have truth to them in the past."
Daeghun stared long and hard at his daughter, wondering how much he could tell her. What she wanted to know had to do with events he had tried for decades to keep buried. "I have my suspicions about the cause of these events," he conceded. He saw the determination in her eyes and took a deep breath. "These events are very similar to ones that occured 75 years ago."
"You mean the time of the big battle that destroyed West Harbor," Nimbrethil said, her voice suddenly tight. "The one in which my mother and Shayla died."
"You are too young to remember, I know, but it was a terrible battle," Deaghun couldn't keep his voice from trembling a little.
"I wasn't too young father," Nimbrethil said quietly and saw him start. "I do have memories of that night, they just aren't very clear because I was too young to fully understand what it was I saw."
Daeghun closed his eyes briefly before speaking again. "I was hoping that you would not remember anything of that night. How did you come to realize that you had these memories?"
Nimbrethil told him about the warlock they had fought, how the memories suddenly came surging to the surface, and how Sand had helped her lock them away. "Sand says that I can recall them anytime I wish, that I would have control over them. I can recall this warlock fighting something which Sand says was an avatar of the King of Shadows, although how he was so certain of it he didn't say. Also, we freed a githzerai cleric named Zhjaeve from Garius, and she has stated that the King of Shadows once again threatens this plane."
"Then it seems my instincts are right once again," Daeghun said quietly. "The same thing that happened then is happening now. It appears that this King of Shadows or his minions have once again established a foothold within Meredelain. The only thing else I can tell you is that your enemy is tied to the ancient Illefarn Empire in some way, and may be encountered in any place the ruins of that once great Empire are found. Be careful Nimbrethil, there are forces at work here that are very powerful and dangerous. I...," he hesitated. He saw her looking at him in puzzlement, her eyes asking a question difficult to answer. "I have lost much in my life, and I..I do not wish to lose you as well."
Nimbrethil blinked in surprise, not quite sure she heard him right. Even though she suspected he cared for her, he had never admitted to it, either to himself or others. To hear it from him now made her realize that something had changed within him. Perhaps the danger that loomed and the memories it stirred made him aware of how fleeting life could be, even for an elf. To her surprise she felt a lump in her throat and her vision blurred slightly, so she looked away until she could regain control.
Daeghun saw her surprise, it mirrored his own at his admission. When he saw her struggling to rein in her emotions he said nothing, merely waited in silence. He knew that she had learned that from him, but at this point in time it would be dangerous for her to give up that control. She needed to focus on what was to come and emotions only clouded one's reason.
"Father," Nimbrethil finally managed to get her voice back and was pleased that what she was feeling inside was not reflected in her tone. "I think it is time to leave West Harbor. I would not want to lose you either," she was watching him closely, and even though he tried to hide it, she saw the pleased look enter his eyes. "All the animals, even the lizardfolk have left, fled from whatever this danger is. I know that people often can be stubborn to the point of obstinacy, but you were never one of them. Even Thorondor says the place is not safe anymore."
"Where is your companion by the way?" Daeghun suddenly realized he had not seen the falcon anywhere.
"I left him outside the village with Bishop's companion Karnwyr," she answered and saw his lips thin a little. "Karnwyr is a dire wolf, I am sure you can imagine the effect his presence would have on the people here." She saw him nod in comprehension. "You know how brave dire wolves are so you should know that even Karnwyr was reluctant to venture into Meredelain. Anything that can scare a dire wolf is of considerable danger to everyone."
"What you say may be true, but it is also true how stubborn the people of West Harbor can be," Daeghun replied. "I will try to convince them to leave."
"If they are too stubborn to listen to your advice then leave them behind," Nimbrethil stated flatly. "Do not risk yourself for fools father."
"Some of them may be fools, but many of them are my friends," he answered. "I have never turned my back on them when they needed my help, and they were there for me when I needed help raising you. I have an obligation to protect them if I can. I know this is something that you find hard to understand and maybe I am responsible for that. Too often I left you to your own devices growing up, and the only thing I can say in my defense is I felt it was better to do that, than influence you with my bitterness over the loss of my wife. I cannot change the past, but I hope you will come to understand some day that friendships are not to be taken lightly. Being someone's friend is sticking by them through the good and the bad. You have referred to those with you as your friends and you will have to honor them by standing by them, especially when they are in trouble."
Nimbrethil looked thoughtfully at him, wondering at this sudden show of almost fatherly concern. "I have only ever considered my responsibility to the woods and the mere and those creatures that make their home here. The creatures of the wild have not the ability to adapt to protect themselves from aggressors, but people do. As adults, we have the ability to change the way we live, work, socialize and defend ourselves. Our higher reasoning enables us to do that. I am sorry father, but people should take responsibility for their fate and not wait for someone to come along and help them. Too often that is the reason we have found people dead in the mere. They didn't prepare properly and they died and most likely spent the time hoping someone would come along and rescue them. I choose to fight, to live, to survive and I do what is necessary to ensure that I succeed. I will not waste my time helping those who refuse to help themselves."
Daeghun sighed, knowing that at 80 years old, she was not likely to change her views without some major outside influence. No mere words will change her mind, he thought. "It seems then that we have vastly different views of the world. However, such a topic will have to wait for a better time. You have been here overlong already and you must finish what you came here to do and then leave. I hope that neither of us have cause to regret not speaking before this." Turning away, he headed off towards the far end of the village, his thoughts in turmoil about their conversation.
"Tenna' ento lye omenta, father," she said softly to his back. (Until next we meet). She saw him pause briefly but he did not turn back or respond. Feeling a little sad, she turned back to rejoin her companions.
"You spoke for a long time, did he have any insights on the problem within the Mere?" Elanee asked quietly as Nim approached. She could see a sadness in the girl's eyes but knew not to press her for details. If she wanted to talk about it, she would say so.
"He said that what is happening now is the same as what happened the last time the King of Shadows threatened this plane," Nim answered. She saw that Elanee knew something was bothering her but would not ask about it. For that she was grateful. What passed between her and her father was too personal to share with others, at least at this point in time.
Before she could say anything else, Nimbrethil heard her name being called in a familiar voice. Turning around she saw Georg hurrying over to them, and groaned inwardly as she saw that Bevil was hot on his heels. She had hoped to avoid seeing Bevil because of Bishop, but it was too late now. Bracing herself for potential trouble she was surprised when Georg grabbed her in a bear hug and clapped her on the back.
"Ha ha, you're looking just the same as ever girl," Georg laughed as he held her at arms length. "I see you have upgraded to a long sword these days. Been practicing have you?"
"With Bishop's help I have become even better with the swords than before I left," Nimbrethil answered. "Of course, I couldn't have done that without having learned what you taught me so many years ago." She could see Bishop was very tense and placed one hand on his arm to keep him from doing or saying anything.
"And who is this young man you've got here?" Georg asked with a smile. "I see you've found someone like yourself." Holding out his hand to Bishop he shook it as Nimbrethil introduced them. "Well met boy. How did you manage to catch this here wild elf in your net?"
"Actually, she stalked me," Bishop replied with a feral grin, then laughed when Nim smacked him. "Just kidding sweetheart. Actually we had a duel with the winner claiming the other as a prize."
Georg laughed heartily at the way Nimbrethil sputtered at those words. "I see you found someone just like yourself. I'm happy for you Nim. I was always afraid you were too much like Daeghun to let anyone get close to you. Glad to see I was wrong about that. So what brings you back here?"
"I came to speak with Daeghun and Orlen," Nimbrethil gave Bishop a warning look to behave, to which he responded with a cat that ate the canary smile. "I have been given the task of rebuilding a keep and there are many fields around it that I have no idea what to do with." She frowned as Georg busted out laughing again.
"Who in their right mind would ask a wood elf ranger to hole themselves up in a moldy old keep?" Georg asked. "You've never been one to stay indoors, even during bad weather."
"Lord Nasher, and no I don't think he was in his right mind when he made the decision," Nimbrethil snorted. She saw Bevil eyeing her and Bishop and turned to him. "I wasn't sure if I would see you Bevil. I know Cormick told you about Lorne."
"Yeah, he did," Bevil replied, still eyeing the man at her side. "You never said anything to me about problems you had with my brother. I had no idea he was causing trouble for you."
"Bevil, you were still a child when he left," Nimbrethil answered as softly as she could. "You loved him and I didn't see any good reason for you to know about it." She saw a sad expression cross his face as he started to speak, so she held up her hand to stop him. "You have nothing to apologize for, none of it was your fault."
"I heard some of the stories going 'round about you," Bevil changed the subject. "I guess that means you haven't come home to stay." There was a wistful note to his voice and a longing in his eyes as he looked at her that was not lost on the man at her side.
"No, Nim and I have to get back before the paladin she left in charge lets it go to his head," Bishop said with a slight sneer as he slid his arm around Nim's waist. There was a warning in his eyes and the possessive tone of his voice left no room for doubt as to who's girl she was.
"Oh Bishop really!" Nim said in exasperation. "He is the last person in the world to let something like that happen."
"More the fool him then," Bishop said with snort, chuckling as Nim shook her head in chagrin. "Hey, I promised I would stop baiting him. I never promised to not take a few cracks at him now and then. He is so deserving of it you know."
"Nevermind," Nim grumbled in defeat. "Georg, do you know where Orlen is right now?"
"He should be on his farm," Georg was not blind to what was going on and was on his guard against trouble between Bishop and Bevil. It was quite obvious to him that Nim had deep feelings for the ranger, and that Bevil had deep feelings for Nim. "I know you can't stay at this time, but you have to promise to come back soon and tell me all about your adventures. I need some new stories to tell the kids."
Nimbrethil nodded and shook Georg's hand before moving off. She felt Bishop fall into step beside her and looked over to see an almost angry look in his eyes. "What's eating you?" she asked him.
"What's between you and that kid, Nim?" Bishop growled low. "I didn't miss the way he looked at you, like he knew you better than anyone."
"There's nothing between us," Nimbrethil snorted. "At least not anymore." She saw him open his mouth and silenced him with a glare. "I'm sure you were no saint before we met, so don't go getting all jealous of Bevil. What we had ended the night of the attack. I realized during the journey to Neverwinter that it would never have worked out between us anyway. He wants a home and a family, and that's not something I want nor is it something I can even think about with everything else that's happened."
"As long as he doesn't think he can get back in your life now, then fine," Bishop retorted. "Besides, he looks like he would have bored you into leaving him anyway," he finished with a sneer.
Nimbrethil didn't bother to respond to that crack, merely shook her head and continued walking to Orlen's farm. At least Bishop had had enough restraint to wait until they were out of earshot of Bevil, for the boy would have been embarassed and she didn't want him hurt anymore than he already was. Besides, her father was right and they had been here too long already. It was time to conclude her business and leave and she would not be coming back.