Ending a Friendship

It\'s another warm sunny day, and it\'s impossible to stay inside if one can find excuse to be out. Cecilia is walking through the field, carrying Ragnar, Vernon\'s infant son. Beside her another child trails along, nearly three years of age and dilligently picking flowers as they move.

[Elaos(#30364)]

Cresting the other edge of the field from the woods, Elaos wipes at his forehead, shifting the bundle of sticks on his back. Barefeet guide themselves carefully amongst the field. There is a softness to his gaze, a gentle smile upon his lips. He uses his walking stick, pressing himself forward as the sun beats down upon him.

A waterskin swings at his side and an earthy smell rises from him. His shirt is undone till it tucks into his trousers which are rolled up to match the way his sleeves are.

Cecilia is looking down at the child, a little boy with a mop of blond hair on his head and a long tunic hanging down to his knees. He has quite the fistfull of flowers, and laughs as he constantly holds them up for the healer to see. \"You see, Aunt Ceci? You see flowers? Look! You see them?\"

To her credit, Cecilia looks like she\'s managing her patience fairly well, though the expression on her face suggests that she isn\'t completely free of disinterest in the flower collection at this point. \"Why don\'t you go look for a -purple- one?\" The healer suggests, trying to coax the child away.

[Elaos(#30364)]

Long strides taken, Elaos gazes upward to get a look over the field. He starts to slow then, making no sound as the wind buffets the tall grass around him and through his loose hair. Green eyes watch, taking in the sight of the young woman with the two children. His gaze softens and a slow smile spreads over his lips.

He does not approach, no Elaos merely watches, looking to the boy at her side and then the child in her arms. There is a ripple of sadness, something deep within that stirs.

The boy starts exploring in a wider spread, searching for the elusive purple flower. Cecilia watches him with casual interest, shifting the infant that\'s sleeping in her arms. She notices Elaos watching and slows to a stop. She looks around the field to make sure no others are around, then approaches him. \"Good day, Elaos.\" She says, offering him a smile.

[Elaos(#30364)]

That sadness slips away as they near him and he smiles, a brilliant turn of his lips. \"Good day, Cecilia..and who is it you have with you?\" He asks, moving a bit closer to look upon the young babe in her arms. Elaos lifts a hand to wave at the young one, letting it fall back to his side as he cradles the stave in the crook of his arm. \"I am sorry to interrupt..I was just...it was nice to watch the three of you together..if you will forgive me.\" He nods.

\"That\'s Hestif.. My brother Amund\'s son.\" Cecilia nods her head in the toddler\'s direction. Then she looks down at the slumbering baby. In a softer, sweeter voice, \"This.. is Ragnar. Vernon\'s little boy.\" She seems to have a deeper fondness for the infant, though it is only her nephew. \"Dagur said that he looked to your rib.. Is it feeling better?\"

[Elaos(#30364)]

He steps closer to look down at Ragnar, reaching his hand out to brush over the soft bare head of the babe. He can not help but study the small one, a longing in his gaze. \"I am healing..\" He finally says and looks up slowly to meet her gaze. \"Thank you for your help.\" He nods and swallows, looking at Hestif before his green eyes returnt to her, the wind washing over them. \"You are a good Aunt.\"

Cecilia laughs at the words. \"Well, I can\'t ever say no to Vernon, and when Amund\'s wife saw me taking care of the baby she dumped Hestif on me.\" She looks up at Elaos, then asks, \"Do you want to hold him? He sleeps like a rock. My arms could use a break.\"

[Elaos(#30364)]

He falters a moment and then nods, \"If I could..\" Elaos\' face seems to brighten at this and he lowers down to take off the stick filled pack and place his staff next to it. Rising again, his strong hands reach out so gently. He gets his hold beneath the baby and starts to lift him from Cecilia\'s arms, turning the small child so that he can cradle him in the crook of his elbow. The man looks down, smiling at the child. \"Hello, Ragnar\"

The baby is out cold, his eyes closed against the bright sunlight overhead and his mouth open only enough for him to breath easily. He\'s a few months old, plump with baby fat, healthy and hale. \"Thanks..\" Cecilia says as she stretches her arms out, her gaze straying to watch her older nephew for a moment before she looks back to Elaos. \"I.. am sorry I was so upset the other day. I shouldn\'t have acted so foolishly.. \"

[Elaos(#30364)]

Looking up from Ragnar, Elaos shakes his head. \"Do no apologize...\" He smiles at her. \"Forgive me instead. My words were unintended.\" He gazes back down to the sleeping babe before he begins to walk with the child, humming low and deep in his throat, the wind catching his hair and shirt. The strength of his arms carry the burden without worry. His gaze watching the slumber seems to go distant, thoughts passing through his mind.

Cecilia takes a slow breath, a worried expression on her face, her head down. \"Vernon talked to me, and I told him I would talk to you. I know that before I said I was unhappy with Mogel, but, I think it will all work out. It was so much so quickly. Now I\'ve had time to think about it and I realize I shouldn\'t have said everything that I did.\" She looks up now, smiling. \"You have been such a sweet friend and I got you caught in things without meaning to.\"

[Elaos(#30364)]

Looking up at her, his eyes studying the woman as she speaks. A gentle smile touchs his lips and he shakes his head. \"Stop..Cecilia..stop.\" He says, drawing a breath and letting it out slowly, his lips parting as if he were going to say something, though stops himself. \"Things are fine between us...everything is okay.\" He nods to this and gazes down at the child in his arms. \"I thought one day I would have a boy of my own...one I could raise into a good fine man.\"

\"No.. I am not finished.. \" Cecilia says as he tries to change the topic. \"I really need to make this work with Mogel, and .. with the rumors that have gone around and how upset he is, I think it\'s better if we are not friends for a while.\" The look she gives him is one of deep apology and some heavy regret. \"It doesn\'t mean that I do not want us to remain as friends. I need to respect what Mogel wants. That is all.\"

[Elaos(#30364)]

Elaos is caught by her words and he slowly nods. \"If that is what you need, Cecilia..\" His voice trails off and he shifts the child in his arms lightly. \"Then it might be best if I go now.\" He manages a smile, \"For appearances and all..\" He clears his throat and moves back over to her side, moving Ragnar away from his chest so she can take him. \"I wish you both the very best.\" He waits for her to take the child, his hold gently upon the slumbering little one.

Cecilia appears very surprised by the quick agreement from Elaos and it brings a pause to her movement. She had expected him to argue or at least question the decision. His ready concession is painful and the hurt shows on her face. She reaches to take the infant, speechless as she collects the baby back into her arms. \"Okay..\" She says glumly for lack of any other words and feeling it neccessary to fill the silence.

[Elaos(#30364)]

\"This is what you want yes?\" He asks her as the child switches arms. \"Then it is what I give you, I will not deny you what you wish.\" Elaos hides his own distaste for all of this well. He swallows and straightens before he then says, \"I spoke with Vernon...everything is clear with him. There is nothing between us.\" He nods to affirm this. \"And so if you do not wish friendship for a while, I will give that to you as well.\" He smiles faintly, though it does not last.

Cecilia glances away, her gray eyes resting on Hestif. The boy is now sitting in the grass, intently poking at a bug or some other interest. \"I do not know a way for us to be friends and Mogel to be happy with it. I think, if he sees that I am serious about what he wants, he will change his mind later.\" Her attention goes back to Elaos, and her words sound more as if she is repeating something she was told, \"We\'re starting a life together, him and I, and if we start everything with only fights.. how can we learn to be happy together? He is feeling the same way that I am, probably. Nervous, and unsure. So, if this is something that I can do now that will make him more comfortable, he will trust me more.\"

[Elaos(#30364)]

Elaos nows then, lifting his hands palm up. \"As you wish, Cecilia. I do not wish to ruin anything for you. I just hope...hope for you happiness is all.\" He gazes to the children as well, as if they keep him from saying something. He turns then, moving to take up his bundle, settling it to his back as the staff is grasped for. Once he stands up, he looks to her. \"You know where I am...if there is enough time or ability to speak to me when you can, I will be there.\" He looks about and then backs up, moving towards the west. He swallows, dipping his head before moving on.

Cecilia nods at his words, blinking her eyes a few times as she does so. \"Yes.. thank you, Elaos. You are very kind.\" She looks away then, moving to approach where her nephew plays and see what he is up to.