Bleeding Heart 76 Familial Ties

When she asked him what he was planning to do he laughed, "I was going to sleep in that tree right there! Doesn't it just look so peaceful?"

While Dawn did not understand the allure, she was relieved. At least that dealt with that.

She ducked into her tent, feeling utterly worn out. Tira and Vixen were talking quietly together. Dawn had no idea what they were talking about, but they looked close as Vixen lay her head in Tira's lap. They looked a little like mother and daughter, though racially it was impossible.

She did her best not to disturb the two as she lay down. As her eyes closed, she could distinctly feel the discomfort in her heart. She wanted her husband. She wanted him to be here with her. She knew that that was something she would never again have but she still wanted it, no matter that it was unrealistic.

She could feel the hot p.r.i.c.ks behind her eyelids as she desperately tried to not actually break down in tears. Biting her lip, she did manage to not actually make any sobbing noises, but a tear did slide down her face followed by a few more as she silently cried herself to sleep.

She dreamed of him again. Of his grin as he teased her, of the gentle smile he would have as he held her, of the way his eyes always just lit up whenever she walked into the room, and of how affectionate he would be to her no matter how much she tried to keep him at arm's length.

It was a rather disjointed dream, but for a few hours she just relived her memories. When she woke up she, felt rather bittersweet.

Exiting her tent she wandered out and relieved the three men on watch. Raven came out to join her not long after they had left.

As he sat down by her, he cleared his throat and then asked, "Are you okay? You look rather sad."

There was concern laced in his voice. Dawn smiled at him and nodded, "Mostly. I miss Arrion though. That's all."

He nodded, and patted her shoulder. "If you need a hug, my queen, I can give you one."

"I would like one."

Raven wrapped an arm around her shoulders and squeezed gently, "…Everything has a purpose, you know." His words were whispered, "It's alright to be upset, but do remember to always trust in Xi'eli. And… I am sure that you will manage to find a way to make it through this difficult time."

The soft tone of voice was comforting and the words, while so often used, were comforting. She wandered if he had heard that in Lumna as it was a rather common thing to say to people going through difficulties.

She pulled away from her friend and nodded, "Thank you, Raven."

They were silent for a while before Dawn broke it, "Hey Raven."

"Hmm?" There was a smile on his face.

"You do actually know how to fight." She laughed, "Where did you learn to fight like that?"

"…" He fell silent, as if mulling it over, "I think it was my father who taught me, but my mind is still pretty jumbled up. I am remembering more and more now, but there is a lot that is still disjointed and unclear."

"Were you close with your father?"

"When I try to think of him, I get fairly warm emotions." He paused, "Though it is tinged with sadness as if I will never see him again… I am pretty sure he is dead."

"Oh." Dawn felt sympathetic. Even though she had never had any warm feelings for her parents, and had never even known her father, she had witnessed how devastated Arrion was to learn his parents had died.

He had always said it was worse because he had never gotten to say goodbye. At the time she had not understood, but as she got to know him better she had also understood just how deeply he had felt about his parents. And she had also realized that it was not uncommon in Lumna for people to care so deeply for each other, especially among family members. She had been a little jealous though she had never said so.

She patted Raven's hand and gave him a bit of a smile, "I am sorry to hear that."

"I think it's been a while though." He shook his head, "And it's not like I was all alone to handle it either. I had…" He trailed off, a strangely wistful expression on his face.

Dawn could not help but wonder what he was thinking of. But she was surprised a bit by how he was talking. His memory must really be returning to him. That made her feel happy for him.