Exton

Supper started out a noisy affair. The children were happy to see Raina awake and although still not feeling the best, going home. Stoney had promised them a visit to the Lodge when Raina was feeling up to it. One by one the little ones had wandered to the balcony and touched their Tante Tori, letting small hands slide over the smooth stone, their thoughts meant to comfort and heal. Tannr could sense how happy this made Tori, Alise and Stoney both noticed the looks as he gazed outside, the thoughts quickly covered.

After the meal Gracie slips out of her chair and goes to Tannr. He looks down at the serious expression on the little girls face, a beautiful girl although she looked nothing like her siblings or parents with that mass of brown curls. If Tori hadnt told him otherwise he would have sworn she was some kind of changeling child. She had mentioned that there was more to the story but he hadnt heard it yet.

“Tannr... story pease...”

Grinning Tannr lifts her to his lap. “What would you like to hear about, lítill einn?”

A thoughtful look for a moment and Gracie replies, “Moon..” and points to the balcony.

The children listen, enchanted with Tannrs story of goddesses, the constellations and the moon. The sylphs clear the table and the younger children are fighting sleep after their long days of water play. Tannr carries Gracie to the balcony and points out the constellations to her. She repeats each name carefully with a slight lisp as if committing them all to memory.

Tori is able to see the pair from her spot on the balcony. She watches the tender careful way Tannr holds her niece and Graces little hand, fingers twirling in Tannrs copper mane. He would be a great father...

Ikes thoughts interrupt Toris, And he loves you beyond all reason... and dont argue with me. We could all see it when you captured. He wasnt coming back without you... literally. He planned to stay there and die fighting if you were lost to him...

Tori feels Ike grin at her silence. Its a rare occasion when she doesnt know what to say. Her attention returns to the pair on the balcony. Gracie has laid her head on Tannrs shoulder, fighting sleep.

Tannr can feel Tori, her thoughts partially blocked but tender and curious. He smiles softly, not sure exactly what she is thinking and hardly daring to hope that she would want a family with him.