#hdajk

- Would you really do that for me honey-sis?

- Yes bunny-sis! I would. I can’t live without you either.

- What do you say Hdajk, can you manage without them?

- Yes I can. It won’t be easy to see them go. It breaks my heart to think I might never see them again, but practically? Yes. I have you and I have my sisters. And I will not stand in the way of Noor’s happiness. We will manage.

- Hdajk, your unselfishness astonishes me. You truly are a strong woman. And you have proven again that your love for your children has no limit.

- This is by far the most difficult thing I’ve had to do as a mother.

- I know, but it’s the right thing to do.

The next weeks were filled with busy preparations. It was decided that Tjen was going to accompany them to the harbor, and help them find a ship to take them to the island of Krete, where Rusas brother lived.

A few days before their planned departure the new babies were born. Just as Lea had predicted there was two of them, a gift from the moon, and a gift from the sun. They were given the names ‘knyfei and Ak’nei.

- Remember these tears that I shower you with, Eira whispered, I love you very much, even though I will never know you, and you will never know me. Take good care of our parents, one day they will need you, like you need them now.

- I have doubts, Noor admitted, do you think we are doing the right thing, leaving everything behind?

- Yes, it’s the better solution all things considered, Eira said and wiped a tear from her chin, and besides -  it is our destiny.

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                           - END OF CHAPTER FOUR -

A huge thank you to those of you who have followed, liked and commented on my story so far. It means a lot, and I am truly grateful.  💕

But Toidr was not okay. When they came home he just wanted to sleep.  He was nauseated and dizzy. For three days his parents watched over him, but then he quietly just stopped breathing. No one expected it, they were in total shock.

The whole family was heartbroken, but Noor took it particularly hard. She felt responsible.

- But sis, it was not your fault! How could it be?

- I made him climb higher than he should have. I pushed him!

Hdajk and Rusa were devastated, but kept on with their daily tasks. Hdajk’s belly was growing, but she felt no anticipation about her pregnancy. There was an indifference about her, and she hardly ever smiled anymore.

Rusa tried to comfort Hdajk, but felt that he was falling short. She was inconsolable.

So he started to spend most of his time away from the camp. The sadness was like a heavy carpet over the family, and it seemed like nothing could ever make them happy again.

Not even the birth of Mtyo put a smile on Hdajk’s face.

- I’m happy you are out of my belly, my sweetest, but your mama’s heart is filled with tears. How can I bring you anything but sorrow? Will I lose you too?

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There was still a bit of snow when the first barter in the history of Willow Creek was held, but people seemed to enjoy themselves. Sims came that no one had met before, so it was obvious that news had traveled to the neighboring valleys.

It’s good when you can get to know people ... eh sims, and learn new things, and have a better understanding of their customs.

And when one understands, the fear diminishes.

- So, if I may ask, why do you paint your faces like that? Tjen was intrigued.

- It makes us different. And scary. Right? We don’t want anyone messing with us, especially not the Straud clan, they are not good sims. Besides, a lot of sims comes to Forgotten Hollow because of the good hunting there, but that area belongs to us, and we don’t like intruders. 

- My brother says you eat children, is that true?

- Noor! Don’t be rude! Tjen apologized for his niese’s directness, but Jojo and Snat just laughed.

- You are a brave one, aren’t you! Maybe you should tell your brother to come and ask me himself?

- I think he is too afraid.

- So how come you are the braver one?

- I don’t know. My parents say you are a nice person, so I guess I trust them more than Toidr. Toidr is always making up things, and try to scare us with his stories.

- So maybe you should teach him a thing or two?

- Mmm. Noor looked at her brother and thought about what exactly she could teach him.

- Toidr, do you want to climb trees?

- Sure!

- I’ll teach you how to reach the top, okay?

- Great!

- You can just swing like this, with one arm, and grab the next branch.

- Okay! But what if I fall down?

- Don’t be such a fraidy-cat! You have to be brave! Like me! See?

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- They avoid me mother. No one is talking with me, just the people from our clan, and even some of my cousins are not really talking with me either. They just keep me out of things. And call me names behind my back.

- What names?

- Brother-killer, Noor whispered. And things like that.

- !

- I’m sorry mother. I didn’t want to make you sad.

- You are not making me sad dearest. I’m just chocked. I’m so chocked over how evil sims can be.

- I just want to leave this valley, Noor said quietly, I don’t want anything to do with these people. I’m never going to get any friends here. Not to mention a partner. They all hate me, they will never forget, and I wish I could go somewhere where nobody knows me. But there is nowhere to go!

- We will find a solution, I promise you. I will discuss it with your father, and maybe with the clan, to see what our options are. It will be okay darling, trust me. One way or another it will be okay.

A few weeks later, and after many open discussions in the family, they sat down together. Rusa and Hdajk had a proposal.

- It’s not that we think that we can’t fight this thing, Hdajk said firmly, because we can. We are an influential family in Oasis Springs after all. But what is more important to us, is what is best for you, Noor.

- You know I have relatives far away, Rusa added, I have a brother, and many cousins. I’m sure they will welcome you. But you will have to travel for many days, even moons. And it’s not an easy journey over mountains and open sea. But I think maybe you have that adventurous spirit. So it’s up to you.

- But that would mean leaving you all? And Eira! I don’t know if I can do that! Can’t we all go?

- No we can’t. Your mother can not travel in her condition, so that’s not an option. This is a thing you will have to do alone. It will be your expedition, if you choose to go.

- Why don’t you let us both go? Eira suddenly said, You know I’m the more sensible one, and we would be much more safe if we were two. And we would have each other. What do you say?

.

It was a chilly night, but Hdajk and Rusa, were patiently waiting for their daughters to return. It was surprisingly early when they came home. Noor went straight to bed, while Eira came to sit with her parents for a while.

- How was it? Hdajk was excited, Did you have fun?

- It was okay, I guess. In the beginning. But after a wile we just wanted to go home.

- Why? Did something happen?

- Yes. Well, just the usual. But I promised Noor I wouldn’t tell.

- The usual? What are you talking about? Tell me please, what’s going on!?

- Mother, I promised! I can’t! They are not nice to her, that’s all I can say.

The next morning Eira tried to convince her sister.

- You have to tell them, Noor! They need to know.

- No! They DON’T need to know. It will only make them sad.

- They might be at first, but you not telling them also makes them sad. If you don’t tell them, I will.

- But you promised!

- I know, but I can’t take it anymore! I have to do something! Tell them!

- Honey-bunny what’s going on?

- It’s so embarrassing. I guess I brought it on myself. I am a terrible person, so I deserve it. But I was hoping they would stop after a while. But they haven’t.

-  What do they do Noor? And who is doing this to you? Hdajk feared the worst.

Noor swallowed.

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- Are you looking forward to the dance, Eira? I do!

- I don’t know. You know that I don’t like those big gatherings. It’s so noisy and a lot of fuss.

- Are you not coming? Really, sis?!  Are you going to let me go alone?

- But it’s not fun for me, don’t you understand that? Besides, mother needs me to clean the camp.

- No she don’t! That’s just excuses! Aunt Boui and Aunt Sanie is coming over to help her, you know that!

- All right. I will go. But you have to promise me that when I want to go home - no matter the reason - you are not going argue with me about it.

When the night arrived the Ogn-Sarruma sisters looked stunning.

- I can’t believe those beautiful young women are my daughters, Rusa whispered, thick in his voice.

- I know! Hdajk replied, and they are such goodhearted, responsible girls as well. I’m so proud of them!

- Have fun now girls!

- Thanks! Bye!

- I’m so happy they can have some fun, Hdajk confessed, they’ve been working so hard on helping out at home. Now the time is here for some youthful enjoyment.

- The one thing you never had in your life.

- But I got you, so in the end it worked out pretty well!

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- Dear spirits, please Mrs Moon, please Mr Sun, help me to provide for the babies!. Please let me have an easy birth and plenty of milk, so they will be strong and healthy. That’s all I’m asking for!

- You will be a great mom for the new babies, Rusa said softly, like you are for the other kids and always have been.

One who was not as excited was Mtyo. He didn’t understand exactly what was going on, but he did understand that he didn’t want to share his mother with any new baby.

- You my mother, Nono? He asked.

Noor was puzzled at first, how could Mtyo confuse her with his mother? True, she had grown a lot lately, but still.

- I’m not your mother, but I love you very much monkeyface! Come give me a big monkeykiss!

- Noooooo!! No kiss! No kiss Nono!

Noor had to laugh, but she set him down.

Later that night Noor told her mother about it.

- I don’t know how he could confuse me with you, mother! We are not like twins or anything!

- Haha! That’s so funny! That little rascal! But the truth is, you and your sister have been taking a lot of responsibility for him. It will be better from now on. I will still need your help, but I want you to go out with your friends and have fun too, like young people do. Too much responsibility at a young age is not good. I know that from personal experience.

- Well, I don’t mind that much. I do love him you know. But I do want to go to the full moon dance next week, to be honest. And I must say, it’s wonderful to hear you laugh, mother! I’m so glad you are feeling better.

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It became a wonderful evening. The unmistakable smell of grilled meat made them all dizzy with anticipation.

- I can’t wait! Boui said Don’t you think it’s ready?

- Well, I believe it’s done Dubi said. Let’s eat! Children! 

- Yum! Yum! Yum! Noor and Eira finished their plates before the others even started.

Everybody waited in line to get their meat, something most of them hadn’t had for weeks.

Attracted by the tantalizing smell, even strangers came to ask for something to eat, and Toidr didn’t like it much.

- You don’t belong to our family! he said manly.

- Toidr, in this family we treat all strangers with respect. Give her a plate of food, and be grateful that we can share food with strangers.

Afterwords there was singing and dancing.

- I don’t know how you can dance now after all that food! Ob’hi sighed.

- Come on Ob’hi! Have some fun!

Hours later, tired and full, Hdajk and Rusa went to their cave to have some sleep.

- Now tell me, what happened there in Forgotten Hollow? What took you so long?

- Oh Hdajk, that place is grim. Really grim.

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