Forums » Fantasy Roleplay » Elves of All Kinds (1x1)

Saelhil watched them, and he sighed softly. How could he have been so lucky? Raeliel was...perfect. She knew what to do, what to say, and when to do or say it. Everyone adored her... So now, as he looked down at his daughter, and across the table at his family, he suddenly realized that there was absolutely no reason to be sad. He had a wonderful life there with his family. He loved his father, but now Thortharion was out of pain and...and most likely with Saelhil's mother, reunited at last. The thought brought a sad smile to his lips, and he gently kissed Belle's forehead before turning his attention to his wife and son.

Valenthion seemed fairly receptive to Raeliel's words, and he hugged her tightly, just staying there for a few moments before pulling away. As soon as he did, though, Talainna suddenly hugged him with so much force that they fell over on the cushions in a giggling heap. Saelhil chuckled softly, and smiled at Raeliel. Was it even possible for a life to be so wonderful?

Raeliel hugged him back, holding her son close to her. She did love him, more than she had ever imagined. He wasn't her blood child at all but she loved him just as much as she loved Belle. When Talainna and Valenthion fell onto the cushions, Raeliel laughed too, smiling and looking at Saelhil. "Would you like me to take her again, or do you want to keep holding her?" Life was indeed wonderful, especially when she looked around at her family. The two kids, and Saelhil holding their baby.

Saelhil glanced at Raeliel, smiling softly. "I'll keep holding her for now." He nodded slightly, and looked over to Talainna and Valenthion. "Talainna, how about you start looking for the ingredients for the tea?" It had started to get dark outside, a light drizzle of rain coming down now. "Raeliel and I will get the fire and hot water going."

Talainna sat up, still giggling, and nodded with a grin. "Come on, Valen!" She grabbed his hand and pulled him along, bringing him towards the kitchen.

Raeliel nodded and let him hold the child. She stood up and went to get the fire ready as he said, looking out at the drizzling rain. "...you're really good with kids, Saelhil."

She let him take care of Belle while she got the fire and hot water, letting the kids go get the ingredients. "I'm lucky to have someone like you." She glanced over at him and smiled softly. "...I think this is my new favorite sight." Him holding their baby.

"Me? You're amazing with them." Saelhil laughed softly, following her into the living room to be with her as she prepared the fire and kettle of water. When she spoke again, he smiled gently, and looked down at Belle. "Mm... Good, because I plan to do this quite often." He nuzzled Belle's forehead, then took a seat to watch Raeliel, smiling affectionately.

The kids came into the room not long after, with ingredients in their arms. Tea leaves, honey, sugar... Everything that Saelhil's mother had used. Talainna gave Valenthion detailed instructions on what to do, so that although he couldn't see, he could still make the tea without her having to pick and choose everything for him. It really was an amazing scene, the storm building outside while their perfect little family was warm and safe, coming together like this.

Raeliel smiled at her husband and helped the children make the tea, period of Talainna's interaction and directing of Valenthion. They watched out for each other, and that was very good. She got the tea ready with the children, then poured them all cups of the delicious liquid. She fetched a blanket, smiling happy. She loved her family.

It seemed that that was their final day of rest and relaxation. The day passed quickly, huddled under a blanket and telling stories and drinking tea that made them all drowsy. It was like a dream... Until the next day.

Things had to be arranged. Thortharion's burial, the shifting of power to Saelhil... Ceremonies left and right. It would be a good few weeks until Saelhil could have a chance to sit down and take a break from planning things that needed to be done, and in all honesty it took a toll of the poor elf's stress level. He spent all the time he could with his family, but his duties had suddenly picked up and swept him away from such things, into the important role of chieftain. He had the entire village to take care of, now, instead of just his little family.

Raeliel understood that he had a busy life...but raising three children on her own was a strain, especially when their little Belle still had breathing problems. Raeliel was up most nights just watching the crib to make sure her child was okay. Talainna and Valenthion took good care of each other, but someone still had to watch over them, cook meals for them, make sure they were healthy and got to bed in time...and it was a lot to do on her own, with a baby that was either crying, messy or hungry. Raeliel's nerves were just as frayed as Saelhil's, and nothing had tried their marriage more. Raeliel barely had time to speak to him, and when she did they were always interrupted by the baby or one of the kids or something from Saelhil's duties. Raeliel wasn't sure how much longer she could take it.

Winter was setting in. Food needed to be collected, houses prepared, and herbal remedies concocted to fight the illnesses that always came with the winter months. Saelhil was running around making sure everything was prepared. His and Raeliel's relationship had been stretched to its limits, what with Belle's problems and the village demanding his attention. As the first snow came, things settled down a bit as people bunkered down for the snowy season.

Perhaps it was a trick of the eyes, but one of the patrols that guarded the borders of the forest swore they saw the smoke of a few campfires from afar, rising above the trees. Saelhil dismissed it, deciding that it was a group of harmless travellers heading south for the winter. There was nothing to worry about; no one would try to attack in the snow, especially after their recent defeat of the humans.

Raeliel helped where she could, but being a mother seemed to take up all her attention. She was stuck, between the two kids and Belle, there wasn't much she could do. It was enough just trying to make sure her own house was stocked and her own family cared for. She was pretty good at it, at least. Her training wasn't for nothing. She made sure that they would have enough food and medicine for anything during the winter. Hopefully, at least.

Belle was becoming a major concern to Raeliel. She wasn't sure how the baby would do in the winter months when illness became so prevalent. It would absolutely destroy her if they lost Belle. She had no clue how to protect her child from the illnesses, especially with the cold air and Belle having such weak lungs.

One day, Saelhil was kept in a meeting with some other elves for a bit, discussing winter. He came home that evening, looking tired and slightly distraught. He bent down to kiss Talainna's head and ruffle Valenthion's hair as he passed them playing on the floor. He went to Raeliel and gently kissed her cheek. "How is Belle?" he asked. Assuming the child was with her mother, he gazed down at his daughter.

Raeliel looked up when Saelhil came in and she smiled softly. "Hey.." She could tell how stressed he was. She was too. "She's okay. We've only had a couple problems today." That was better than usual. They usually had to give Belle a little startle at least four times a day so she'd start breathing again. "She's doing well today. I...I think there may be hope that she's growing out of it and her body's growing healthier as she gets bigger..."

"Good, good..." Saelhil nodded slightly, and then took a breath. "...I think we need to leave for the winter," he suddenly stated, hesitating a moment before continuing. "The cold air and sickness won't be good for Belle. I talked it over with the elders, and I think we should go south until spring, so that Belle doesn't get any worse."

Raeliel stared at Saelhil. "What? But Saelhil, what about your job as chieftain? This is a crucial moment in your life and in the village right now! How would we be able to go south when you are needed here so badly?" Even if the elders discussed it with him, how could he be able to do something like that when the village needed him so much?
"I mean...I agree with you, I absolutely do. The Winter....it could be very bad for Belle, it really could be. But how can you afford to leave the village at a time like this?"

Saelhil sighed. "I know, I know. I have much to do here. I can't risk Belle's life...." He seemed to search for an answer. "...you go. Take Belle and the kids south. I'll stay here." Alone. In the big house. With no wife or children to come home to. No lights of his life. But if Belle would be safe during that time, then it would be worth the winter loneliness.

Raeliel stared at him as he told her to leave. "...Saelhil, I can't do that to you. WE can't do that to you. You're a part of this family.." She knew they couldn't stay, though. Belle could die. She looked at Saelhil sadly and took his hand. "...Saelhil..." She looked away. "Whatever you choose, is what we will do. I trust your decision and I will respect whatever you decide we should do."

Saelhil held her hand tightly, gently nuzzling her cheek. He had a decision to make: Which was more important, his village or his family? Could he abandon his village for the sake of one child, or would he have to send his family away on their own while he remained in the village to protect it and its people? He breathed in Raeliel's scent, hoping it would clear his mind a bit. "I... I don't know, just now. I'll decide in the morning."

Raeliel returned his nuzzlings, sighing softly as he spoke. "Okay." She gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "Do you want to hold Belle while I make dinner?" She took her hand from his to hold the baby out to him. If he took her, Raeliel would look over to Talainna and Valenthion. "Talainna, Valenthion, do you two want to help me with dinner or do you want to spend some time with Saelhil?" She smiled softly.

Saelhil nodded, taking his daughter gently into his arms. And at Raeliel's question, both children jumped to attention, and went to help her in the kitchen, leaving Saelhil to be with Belle. He offered a gentle smile to Raeliel before going to sit next to the fire and rock Belle gently back and forth, thinking over the decision he would have to make soon, especially with the first snow so near.

Raeliel smiled softly back at Saelhil and went to make supper with the children. Belle cooed softly and was just an absolute adorable baby, reaching for his finger and grabbing hold of them. It was a hard decision for Saelhil to make. But whichever one he made, the one thing that still happened was that Belle had to be taken out of the village. The little baby gave a soft cough and a sigh. Her lungs definitely weren't what they should be.