Northstar Vale her eyes grey as the sea were hard & fell

@Sanguinus! Babies mentioned for reference but more than welcome to join on in ❤️
Takes place @ Lotus Spring

For the first time in several sunrises, Aurëwen let herself linger breast-deep in the lily-smothered pond. With frogsong thrumming and the firelight of licurici gleaming all about her, it was a precious moment of easement — and one the silver felt entirely selfish for. Should her eyes not be ever studious of her freighted son and daughter, rather than the veil of evening?

Ever since leave-taking from Diaspora’s claim, the herbalist had assumed the countenance she’d once held when she’d carried her children to those Falls — now, she guided them from it. Through her, their children would come to know there was more profit to be had where treaties were made; they’d come to know that only through hearty numbers could one truly enliven their “visions.” In time, her sun-and-stars would come to know, above all else, the value that fair thought brings. She would see to it.

What was it Verx’d told her? ‘If I fail, I’ll have to run for the hills for a little while.’ Had he dethroned the harpy? Or, was he roaming the hills as she now did; turned his back on the ludicrous beliefs of his official? ...Perhaps, had he been in her own place, he might’ve agreed with all those others at that terse congregation; he might’ve stayed on, out of love for their children; out of the respect she’d simply lost for its General — after all, his approaches were just as no-nonsense-militaristic.

But she wouldn’t ever quite know what dragostea would have or wouldn’t have done — they needed to find each other first, whether it’d be at the shores or just over this mountain pass. They all needed to be together again, no matter where they ended up; and at this point, that was all Aure did know.

So, once she’d listed amongst lilies-and-pads for as long as she’d dared, the silver made to wade from the pond; intent on summoning Dragomir and Isilmë to nestle somewhere for the night. Sleep came light and less, lately, for she would loom and watch through the summery nights for what could prey on them; would move them every few days, and always with balaur and belea on her good side.

Now, with ivory hide plastered from throat to belly, she let her chirrups ring soft and wary for the sake of the three of them. Their scents wouldn’t ever be lost on her, and — should they have wandered a bit farther than she’d allowed — Aure was fit to find them regardless. Eu și ocolul meu!