#lirriel

“Squirmiest, fussiest infant this side of the Thandol Span your first year; I don’t think your father and I slept. And I did a lot of babysitting, remember? Some things you just don’t forget.”

Lirriel gave her mother an exaggerated eye-roll as they grinned at each other. She leaned down to scoop up little Garren and cuddled him close as he became fussy. “I remember helping quite a lot, but it doesn’t seem like much of it stuck.”

“You weren’t thinking as a mother then,” Aerie answered, patting Sam’s back. The tot was likewise getting sleepy. “Changes your perspective, don’t it?”

“More than I imagined.”

The little ones were put to bed, the baby stringently protesting. Sam was out; Aerie had kept him quite busy that morning. “I think I’ll do some work in the garden while they’re napping,” Lirriel said, closing the door. It was still the most difficult thing to do; ignoring Garren’s crying even knowing it was simply a reaction to how tired he really was.

“I’m going to the grove,” Aerie said. “Need to pull some weeds.”

Lirriel nodded. The two women walked outside, where Aerie’s companion animals waited alongside Lirriel’s many pets. The raptor and Winter dozed in the sunshine. The latest pack of kittens and puppies had roped the ancient spirit bear into playtime. Trark prowled the stables for anything amiss—and making the mounts nervous, but telling the lightning worg ‘no’ was difficult. Rains stood and yawned, the blue spirit glow shining from her mouth as much as her eyes. The big cat padded after Aerella toward the old farmstead, next door to the land Drauglos had purchased after returning from Northrend. The grove that had been on the edge of the F’Sharri property now nestled between both farmhouses.

In the little family plot, Lormar F’Sharri lay buried under a headstone marked for both himself and Lirriel’s father. Uncle Hal lay there too; he’d passed away only a year and half after inviting Aerella and Lirriel to live with him. They’d been happy, busy months for the little old man, Lirriel remembered.

The grave that Aerie spent the most time with recently was Moirina Magrall’s. Lirriel’s grandmother had visited the F’Sharri farm three times, and then Aerie and Lirriel had traveled to Lordaeron for Grandpa Carson’s funeral. Grandmother had left the store in a nephew’s care and moved to Elwynn. She’d been spared the devastation of Lordaeron, though lost the rest of her family—including her sons—in the kingdom’s fall.

Lirriel learned only recently that it had been her mother’s idea to have Grandmother move in; the priest always thought it had been one of those things the stern woman had insisted on herself. “She was my mother,” Aerie had said. “It was my turn to take care of her. While she never wanted to say it aloud—you know how she was about showing emotion—I think staying in Brill with all those memories was just too hard on her. Bryce and Dev never had children, either, so you were definitely a big factor.”

Lirriel looked up from her gardening. She could see Aerie kneeling in front of the far stone, talking, while Rains rubbed against her back. The priest realized that the other companions had paused their actions, or woken from their naps, and were watching their mistress as well.

She suddenly remembered the night she’d hurried home from the Abbey to say goodbye to her grandmother, seeing Mother cry as the old woman had slipped away while whispering a final instruction that her red dress should be ironed out, Grandpa liked that one the best.

I’m going to lose my mother, Lirriel suddenly realized. Not anytime soon—barring some wild Meddler antic—but someday, Aerie would rest between her mother and the twins’ shared stone, and the one physical constant in Lirriel’s life would be out of her reach forever.

Winter whined and nuzzled her; she hadn’t even heard the albino worg’s approach. Lirriel smiled and hugged the beast, letting Winter lick her face, the tears drying before they fell. Those thoughts were for the future; today, the sun was shining, her son and nephew slept nearby, her husband and sister hunted, her brother-in-law would return soon from his work, and Lirriel’s mother was there to help, instruct, guide, and love them all still.

Moirina Magrall swung herself off the wagon seat to hug the little girl. “Good to see you, missy. My, how you’ve grown!”

“Is Grandpa here too?”

Moirina shook her head as she stood, hand clasping Lirri’s. “No, he’s back home managing the store; someone must. Perhaps next time.” She eyed Uncle Hal, and Aerie’s defensive stance, while coming up the dusty walkway.

“You look thin,” Moirina said as she stepped up to her daughter. They shared a quick embrace, dropping brief kisses on each other’s cheeks; Aerie smelled her mother’s favorite minty perfume. Moirina’s hair was now greyer, and there were more lines around her mother’s stormy grey eyes and her thin mouth since their last visit, but Aerie resisted the urge to comment in kind.

“I’ve been busy. Mother, this is Hallard F’Sharri, Commer’s uncle,” Aerie said, gesturing to the elderly man. He nodded politely. He had been a small man in his youth, and bent even smaller in age. His white hair was wispy, and his joints were swollen and enflamed. Even at her own short height, Moirina seemed taller due to her healthy, narrow build and imperious demeanor.

“Nice to meetcha, ma’am,” Uncle Hal said with a slight nod, leaning heavily on his cane. “I’ve heard a lot about ya.”

“Hmph. Horror stories, no doubt,” Moirina replied. “Are you going to invite me in, Aerella, or shall we stand on the stoop all day?”

“It’s Uncle Hal’s home,” Aerie retorted. “Just what is all of that?” She eyed the wagon and mules that the hired porters were now unloading in the yard.

“My things for the trip—it’s a very long way, Aerella, and I shall be here for some time—and the rest are things I’ve been wanting to give you. Of course, I expected to find you at your home in Stormwind. I recall it was…larger.”

Lirri piped up, bouncing as she clung to Moirina’s hand. “We live with Uncle Hal now cuz he needed help on the farm, and was living all by hisself!”

“G’on inside,” Uncle Hal said, patting Lirri’s head. “I’ll show those young’uns where they can put yer things fer now, Missus Magrall. You gals catch up.” He hobbled off, hailing the porters.

Smart man, Aerie thought as she guided her mother into the small house. It was clean, and not very crowded—much of the work was done outside or in the barn, and Hal had never owned much; many of the articles Aerie had brought from the townhouse. Mother and daughter currently shared a bed in the loft. Aerie was already certain that Hal would offer to sleep on a cot in the barn and leave Moirina his bed behind the partition in the back while she visited.

“Lirri,” Moirina said, leaning down. “I left my handbag on the wagon, and I shall need that before the rest. Go find your uncle and tell him for me. There’s a bit of peppermint in the front pocket you can share with him. I need to talk to your mama.” Ever eager to help (and get candy), Lirri nodded, throwing her arms around her grandmother’s neck to give the older woman a kiss before dashing back out the door. “Light, but she has energy,” Moirina said, turning back to her daughter, hands on her hips. “Tell me everything. That letter you wrote was skimpy even for summary, and Devlin hasn’t been back home in months to fill us in.”

“I…Well…Commer…Lormar…they…” Aerie began, but under her mother’s hard gaze, she felt her eyes begin to burn, and breathing became hard. She tried to turn away, but Moirina huffed, grasping Aerie’s arm and yanking her into a tight embrace.

The sobs came then, wet and noisy against Moirina’s shoulder. Sobs Aerie had been holding back for weeks—months, now. Through the rumors of the mutiny and the lack of news about her husband and his twin. Through the official notice from the starched old officer who came to tell her of her beloved Commer’s death, and through her younger brother’s stilted explanation of Lormar’s confession and imprisonment. Through the pleading and arguing to try to keep their home and provide for her child on a widow’s pension, until Hal had gently suggested they come stay with him. They were the last of the F’Sharri family, after all, and he did need the help—Aerie needed it more, but Hal never said it aloud.

Moirina stood firm as an oak while her daughter clung to her, stroking the younger woman’s hair and rubbing her back. “There, darling. Get it out.”

“M-mommy…”

The laundry needed done and breakfast still needed cleared away. Carson had left early for the shop; a large shipment was coming in from Stratholme. Moirina wished she could be there to help him. She reflected not for the first time that the shop was much easier than three little ones between six months and six years.

There was a knock on the door. “Bryce, get the—“ The little boy ran screaming through the house, banging on walls with a toy sword the whole way. Moirina clutched baby Devlin, still howling in her ear, as she stumbled over Aerie. The toddler dropped onto her bottom, lip wibbling. Moirina threw open the door. “What? …Oh. Hello, Vera.”

Her mother-in-law raised an eyebrow as she automatically took the screaming infant out of Moirina’s arms and walked in. “Looks like we’re just in time,” the older woman clucked, bouncing her grandson far more than Moirina cared for—but he started giggling. Behind Vera was Trina, Carson’s adolescent sister. The girl waved slightly, slipping inside.

Vera looked around while Moirina lifted her chin and waited, refusing to squirm. Vera simply nodded. “You, dear, should take a walk. I hear the Benner’s shop has a new line of silk dresses in from the south—you should see if you can spend my son’s money on something pretty.”

Moirina frowned. “I have too much to do around the house, and the children—“

Vera snorted. “I still know how to handle little ones. You need some time, dear, for yourself before these hooligans drive you mad. Trust me—Carson and his brothers were a handful!”

Moirina tried to protest but Trina, after a nod from her mother, took Moirina’s arm and steered her into her bedroom. The girl helped Moirina fix her wavy brown hair into a proper bun instead of the knotted tail she’d yanked it into before breakfast. Moirina put on her last clean, unwrinkled dress and soon found herself outside her home, hearing Vera scold Bryce and direct Trina towards the housework.

The sun was shining, the wind was light and cool. Brill’s streets were crowded with people. She thought briefly about stopping at the store to help Carson…but her feet turned the opposite direction, toward the Benner’s dress shop. It wouldn’t hurt to take a quick look at the new silks.

Moirina returned after lunch, a wrapped package under her arm. The house was quiet. Stepping inside, she saw Vera dozing in the rocking chair. There was a sandwich sitting on the table under a napkin in the immaculate kitchen, which smelled of fresh mint. Dropping her package off in her bedroom, she saw both Devlin and Aerie napping in the nursery. A peek out the back door showed the finished laundry hanging up and Bryce playing with Trina. He would need a bath later, but Moirina smiled as she watched, feeling the last of the tension melt from her shoulders.

“They’re noisy, but good,” Vera said from the rocker. “Seems like you had a nice morning.”

“I did.”

“That’s what we’re here for, dear. I don’t mind spending time with my grandchildren.” Vera stood and stretched, wincing at a pop. “Send Trina home whenever you’re done with her. When she’s not in school she can come help. It will be good for her—and you.”

Moirina bit down the automatic retort about managing her family’s life herself. Trina would be helpful. “Thank you, Vera,” she said stiffly. The older woman smiled and left. Moirina ate her sandwich before tackling the rest of the housework, already planning to add mint to the window planters; she rather liked the clean scent it gave the air.

By the time Carson came home, Trina was leaving, Bryce and Aerie were playing in the tub, dinner waited on the stove, and Moirina was feeding the baby. The children went to bed easily.

Carson slumped back into his armchair, his own long day catching up. Moirina came out of the bedroom wearing the sheer silk nightdress she’d purchased that morning. She took immense satisfaction from the way her husband’s eyebrows climbed up his forehead as she sauntered over.

Moirina slid into his lap. “You sent your mother and sister over here.”

“I did.” He wrapped an arm around her, his other hand running up her leg over the silk. “Looks like you had time for some shopping. This mean you aren’t mad I ‘interfered in how you run the house and manage the children?’” He grinned even as he mimicked her own strident tones.

“What do you think?” She asked, leaning in to give him a long, deep kiss.

“Uh. Yes.” Aerie stepped aside to allow the trio entry.

“Surprise!” Dev said, grinning down at his older sister. “I told them about the baby, we talked, and they decided—“

“Your mother decided,” Carson interrupted in his low, steady voice. “That it was time to put the past away.” He gazed evenly at his wife.

Moirina wrinkled her nose, hands on her hips. “Well. Dev’s certainly not getting us grandchildren, and Light only knows if or when Bryce is going to settle down.”

Aerie swallowed. “I-I’m happy you’re here,” she said quietly, lest she choke. “I want to introduce you to my family…”

“I should hope so,” Moirina said. “If this man was able to snare you after you ran from the perfectly respectable prospects I had lined up.”

Carson gestured to Devlin, who was already shuffling toward the sitting room. Commer greeted them while the baby made a happy squeal.

Aerie and Moirina listened, the same slow smile starting to draw up the right side of their mouths. Their grey eyes met and they froze. Aerie tried to speak. “Mother…”

“I’m sorry!” Moirina clamped her lips shut, cheeks darkening under her carefully applied blush, fists at her sides.

Aerie stared. She could count on one hand, with fingers left over, the number of times Moirina Magrall had ever apologized to anyone for anything, usually begrudgingly and at the gentle needling of her husband. During Aerie’s one attempt to go home in the last decade, she had tried to extract an apology from her mother—it had ended in a shouting match, and crying into Commer’s shoulder after swearing never to return to Brill.

“Close your mouth, Aerella, you’ll catch flies,” Moirina sniffed. “You can thank your father and brothers for ganging up on me. They’re giant brutes, all of them.” She smiled wryly.

“Well, it takes all three of them to take you on, Mother,” Aerie said, smiling. “I-I’m sorry, too. I shouldn’t have run off in the first place—“

“Yes, you should have,” Moirina sighed. “We both know talking would have ended, well, like it did during that festival: with us screaming at each other. I was furious, both times, and made sure the whole town knew it.”

“So I heard,” Aerie said.

Moirina harrumphed. “When the anger was spent though…” She hesitated. Aerie couldn’t recall such a lost look on that face before—nor quite so many fine lines. “We were cleaning the shed out, and I stumbled on one of those natty old bones you used to give your pups, and I realized…my baby girl was gone. On her own with no word, living her own life with no room in it for me, and—“

Aerie rushed over and embraced Moirina. The older woman rocked back on her heels, and then clutched her daughter. “Hush, Mother, your makeup’ll run, and what will everyone think?” Aerie said, voice thick and muffled against her mother’s shoulder. Her nose tingled from the sudden inhalation of Moirina’s mint perfume.

“That would be a sight,” Moirina agreed, voice shaky. “We’ve left those men alone entirely too long. You should introduce me to my granddaughter.”

“Yes, ma’am.” They let go and stepped away, brushing back hair and straightening blouses in unconscious mirrors of each other.

Dev grinned when they entered the sitting room. Commer rose to greet his mother-in-law. Carson remained seated, straight-backed and still, staring down at the smiling baby in his arms.

“Light, Carson, give me that infant. You never did know what to do with a child before they hit puberty,” Moirina huffed. Her husband gave her a private smile and transferred Lirri to her. Moirina’s face smoothed instantly as she cuddled the baby near.

Carson came to Aerie and draped his arm around her shoulder. “Done good, pup,” he said softly. “Now don’t let her tell you how to manage your family.”