Heart Over Sword

Thalinal and Loraven took to the dance floor, and without any more words shared between them, their footwork and teamwork mended the distance that had grown between them. All was well once more. Both were too old now for such old grudges. Their partners were gone, showing just how fleeting life was, even for those with such longevity. Their lives felt longer now without the one by their side.

Now, with Arawn and Evanna marrying and living in Direwood forest, Loraven began to wonder if it was time for her to move back to the elven lands. Now that her daughter was of age and found her partner, there was no need to remain in Dunhurst.

"*You are welcome to stay here as long as you wish,*" Thalinal said as though reading her mind. It was sometimes eery how on point the elven King was.

Loraven smiled sadly, her gaze moving to Evanna and Arawn gracefully dancing to the tune like long-lost soulmates finding each other again. "*I feel at a loss. Where do I belong now?*" It was humourous, really; she was much older than her daughter, yet she fit in snugly here with the Flori, as though she was always meant to lead down this path. Loraven was more than proud and happy for her.

Yet now, Loraven felt like the teenager who ran away from home and was lost, searching in the dark for a place to call home. Dunhurst had never been her home, and Osian did provide protection, and the hallways and palace did bring about her some small fraction of peace, reminiscing about Selvin and wondering where his favourite spots were. Had he been a rebellious child like her daughter? Adventurous? Studious?

It had been a grand pass time of hers. But while Evanna went on her quest to help Loraven recover from an illness that was indeed years of poisoning, Loraven found herself to be lonely, homesick even. Homesick for Lyvaria? No, homesick for her love.

Selvin had not been around for years. Maybe it was time she left Dunhurst and enjoyed the company of an old friend.

"*You belong wherever your feet take you, Loraven.*"

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