forum “And if I don't want to return?”

Started January 03, 2023 by @FanfictionFanatic-The-Elder group

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Farah gave a short nod at his answer, then she noted the joyfulness in Gwen's tone as she spoke. She really was happy here. "Rhes?" she asked softly, looking back at Corvin again. "Your… wife?"

“The love of my life.” Corvin nodded with a smile.

“She’s an amazing woman.” Gwen chimed in. “Great cook. Good mom. You’ll like her.” she assured before pausing a moment. “Though she does have this… I don't know if it's a mom skill or just her, but she has an uncanny way of reading people.”

Farah's expression broke into a smile too at his words. "That's sweet," she said earnestly. But Gwen's words made her worry a bit. There was so much Farah was desperate to keep hidden – physically, mentally, and emotionally. "Well, it must be just her because my mother never had such a talent," she remarked, trying to keep bitterness out of her tone.

“Thank you.” Corvin nodded slightly, as he smiled. He really did consider himself lucky to marry Rhes. She was just a wonderful woman and he could go on about her for hours.

Gwen shrugged simply, trying not to jostle the buck too much. “I wouldn't know personally but it wouldn't surprise me if it was just her.” she agreed.

Farah took note of both Corvin's thanks and Gwen's response. In all honesty, Farah was beginning to feel nervous about meeting Rhes. She'd never had a strong motherly figure in her life. Though she had a mother, the only time Taristia cared for her was when there was some grand formal event that Farah had to dress up for. Then it was all…

"That dress doesn't flatter your breasts. Pick a different one."

"Gods, why did you have to make my daughter so tall?"

"Stop moving. I'm trying to make you look acceptable. You need to attract a proper man at some point in your life, Farah."

And those memories, just like the ones with her father, Farah preferred not to think about. Eventually, she realized she was being silent for too long and panicked about something to say. "I can't wait to meet her."

Gwen raised a brow at the delay but chose not to comment on it for now. “I'm sure she’ll like you. Once she knows that you're not taking me away.” she added as an attempted joke.

"I hope so," Farah remarked. Against her will, a light pink embarrassed flush appeared on her cheeks. "Of course… how much further?" She was eager to sit and catch her breath. Not that the deer was too terribly heavy, but she'd been traveling non-stop for days upon days. The woman wanted to rest.

“We’re there.” Corvin answered as they broke through the treeline to a medium-sized encampment full of lively people, and family, though perhaps it was more peaceful than the busy streets of Olarien.

There was a small gathering waiting for the new hunter and her mentor near the center of the encampment. Gwen held her head up higher in pride of her hunt as the group headed toward the chief’s home first.

Farah jumped a bit in surprise as the village seemed to materialize through the trees before her eyes. She was immediately on guard, despite not wanting to be. She had just been trained so rigidly that her body automatically straightened and her eyes darted around, looking for danger.

She noticed the small contingent waiting for them and immediately was wary. Of what? she tried to tell herself. These people know Gwen now. They mean no harm, especially should she defend you!

And if she doesn't? another little voice jeered in her mind. Farah quickly pushed away the thought.

Gwen didn't notice Farah’s reaction as they set down the stag near the group. But she did catch sight of a familiar nuisance watching both her and Farah and glared back at him.

Corvin on the other hand did see Farah’s reflex and gently put his hand on her shoulder. “It's alright. No one will hurt her or you here.” he assured.

Farah did her best to keep from jumping – again – and looked back at Corvin. "Alright," she said, but that didn't make her drop her guard. She noted the glare Gwen was giving, and she looked over to see who it was that had earned the look.

(oops. Wrong name 😅)

Corvin nodded and stood calmly beside her, hoping his demeanor would help the knight to relax.

Gwen gave him one last glare before smirking a little as she always did when she caught sight of the slight crookedness of his nose. But Corvin cleared his throat before their little competition could continue.

He patted Farah’s shoulder before moving to stand next to his student. ”The chief should be out soon and you'll be recognized as a hunter.” he said, bringing the attention back to the moment. ”Then you can focus on your decision to be a warrior of our people.” he smiled at her. It really had been her decision and had taken a lot of arguing to get her the chance.

(💀)

Farah jumped slightly as Corvin patted her shoulder. She was too fixated on their surrounding environment, searching for potential dangers despite his words to her only a few moments ago. The woman was trained to be on high alert, and nothing, for now, would change that.

But she listened to Corvin's words to Gwen. Warrior princess, she couldn't help but think, noting the proud smile Corvin wore as he looked at Gwen.

(lol 😆 it's probably my fault. I didn't realize how similar the names are.)

Gwen smiled at her mentor's assurances. The thought of becoming a warrior fortified her resolve on staying… at least until she saw Farah out of the corner of her eye. For a moment, she felt the fear of being taken back against her will return. She took a deep slow breath to calm down and nodded. ”Thank you for teaching me. I won't let you down.” she said sincerely, the chief approached the gathering.

Farah continued to glance around warily until she felt another's gaze on her. She looked over and made eye contact with Gwen. The girl looked panicked for a second before calming herself. It was only a second, but Farah noticed the flicker of emotion on her face. She quickly turned her attention to the approaching person, who she presumed to be the chief.

Gwen blushed under the war paint as she realized that Farah had seen her looking. She cleared her throat softly and took a step back from her hunt so the chief could get a better look.

The chief was an older man but still very strong looking. It would have been more intimidating if his bear of a grandson, and future chief, wasn't standing beside him. All who were present for the ”ceremony” stood quietly as their leader came over and examined the kill.

Gwen was practically buzzing with anticipation when Corvin was called aside, after a few minutes, to give his assessment of her abilities as a hunter. She knew he was biased in her favor but she hoped that fact wouldn't affect the chief’s decision.

Farah eyed the chief and the man beside him with intrigue and wariness. Specifically the hulking man beside the chief. He looked both interesting and intimidating. But Farah supposed that's what he was going for.

She shifted a bit to get closer to Gwen, and when Corvin was called off, she whispered, "So what's going on now? And who are those two?" She tilted her head, indicating the presumed chief and the other beside him.

“Corvin is telling the chief about my hunt.” Gwen whispered back. “And the other one is his grandson. He’s going to be the next chief when the time is right.” she informed, not taking her eyes off her mentor and the chief.

Farah arched her eyebrows and studied the body language of Corvin, the chief, and his grandson. "How long does this ceremony take?" she whispered. She could feel the eyes of the rest of the tribe on her back, and it made her incredibly uncomfortable. Farah shifted from foot to foot and glanced around warily.

“Depends on the hunt. If it went well, it'll be fairly short.” Gwen answered, glancing at Farah’s nervous posture. “Relax. It's going to be ok.” she assured even though she was fairly sure that the chief would want to talk to the knight after.

The three men walked back over to Gwen, the chief’s face the impassive mask of a leader. Gwen understood it was to keep from showing bias but it still made her fairly nervous. She stood firm next to her hunt and tried to mimic the older man’s expression.

Farah nodded in return. "I don't like having my back to people," she muttered, glancing over her shoulder before straightening again as the men approached. She kept her gaze even and posture rigid, just as she'd been taught.

Gwen almost rolled her eyes at the comment but didn't take her focus off the chief, who gave Farah a cursory glance before he began speaking.

”Gwendolyn, you were not born of our people yet you took to our training as a wild horse takes to the open plains.” the chief commented. ”Your strong will granted you a speed in learning that very few of our tribe have accomplished. For this and your outstanding first hunt, you are now a proud hunter of our tribe.” he ended his short speech with a small smile.

Farah narrowed her eyes slightly, but she listened to the chief's words. She couldn't help but feel surprised. Gwen had done it. She was now a hunter… so what did that mean for Farah? What did it mean for Olarien? Would Gwen ever willingly return?

Gwen was beaming proudly as the chief gave her the new title. She almost bowed out of old habit but held back since this tribe didn't do that. “Thank you.”

Corvin walked over and hugged the young woman, chuckling a little. ”I’m so proud of you.”

Farah watched and again, she felt a wicked ache in her stomach at Corvin's fatherly affection for Gwen. The young knight lifted her chin and bit her tongue, refusing to feel the pain swirling inside of her. Gwen was a hunter now. What of Farah?