#dearlyrik

I don't know what in the gods' names you did, kid, but thank you. We're going to fix this, no matter what it takes. - Celeborn

Oh... Oh my sweet little boy. My darling aria. My Lyrik. I cannot help but think that this is, in some way, my fault. It's not as though I taught you to value life. It's not as though I showed you how to be strong in the face of unyielding despair. That was your father. That was part of his charm... He has suffered, too. But he did not let it break him. I was not so strong. I... No, there is nothing I could say to you that would justify this, is there? You needed me, he needed me, and I left you both behind to escape the town and the madness that consumed me. I regret it, but I suppose... I suppose that is my punishment. Eternity with regret. And to watch. I still get to see you in your endeavors. I watched you grow, saw the magic in your blood flow into your fingers and out into noise like your father. You will not believe me, but he was once like you. I love him for a reason. I saw my tiny family rip apart at the seams I sliced open. I saw my husband and my little boy at each others' throats. I saw him use his magic like he never had before. He silenced you, and you were as terrified and appalled as I. I know you still struggle with using that spell -- I pray you never get the chance to hurt others the way he used it to hurt you. I would have liked to have learned about magic with you. I saw you and I saw Ronan, kind man that he is, teach you in all the ways he knew how. He tried very hard, and I know you saw it. He is slipping as you know and I think I shall soon speak to him again. I will not have words to thank him for all he's done. And then this. You walked out into the world and did not look back -- every mother's heartbreaking terror. But you've learned so much, my darling, my self-composed aria. You've seen good, you've seen selflessness. You've hurt, too, and seen pain. Felt pain. Loss. You've found kindness and joy and perhaps even the spark of love... Love that... That... I don't know that this was the answer, Lyrik. I don't know. Perhaps this, too, is a mother's penance for leaving her son and husband alone. I never taught you to love as I should have. Your father buried his ability to love with me. Ronan taught you what he could, but you do not know of love. You certainly know of its power, though. You certainly know of its drive, its influence. You've seen love carry you forth into danger to save that sweet Orc girl. You've seen love bring her to her greatest fear, a huge sacrifice, for the lives of her friends -- yours in particular. You've seen love pull the half-elf to the Ifrit in loss, you've seen love rally the dragonkin to your aid when the half-elf revealed your name on that boat. You are learning. Although I do not know what this will bring, although I do not know that making such a trade with a demon was worth the sacrifice... That his life was worth the sacrifice... I believe in you, my little aria. I believe that love is kindness without expectation of recompense, and you have certainly given that. And though you cannot hear me, my darling boy, please know I am proud of all you are. Of all you have accomplished. Of all you will become. I am always with you, my little aria. I love you. Love, Mom

- Gharol

- Celeborn

Just kiss already! - Frederick

Please, this is becoming ridiculous. I do not want to chase you to the ends of this planet in order to return you to your home, where you belong. Neither of us are safe out here, we must both return home where I can keep an eye on you, and you me. You are using the curse in our blood as some tool to get you by. You are chasing a futile dream of freedom out here, and you are only going to get hurt worse than you have. I may not have seen you for long, but I know you are hurt. Come home. These... people, if you can call them that, are obviously not good for you. Say goodbye to them, Lyrik. You are coming home with me, no matter whether you wish to or not. You and I both know how this is going to end. - Your father

- Celeborn

- Your shadow