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Chapter Fourty Four Pacing
back and forth in front of the fireplace in her living room, Elassi Mehand
struggles to reason with her youngest daughter, “Cheiré, you must listen to
reason. This not something that I can allow you to do.” Exasperated
by her mother’s insistence, she has decided that arguing will gain no ground
in this matter. So, the fair haired young woman with the slender build girds
herself up to confront her very strong-willed mother once more. “Mother, I
will not hear any more of your objections. It is not wise for you proceed with
this venture alone. I will accompany you until I have breathed my last breath,
and I will hear of nothing else.” Seeing
her daughter’s resolve, Elassi enlists the help of her longtime assistant.
“Shani, please, help me reason with her?” The other older woman in the room stands, straightens her dress out in front of her and then carefully steps around the table at the center of the room and takes her place beside Cheiré. “I am afraid, that I must disagree with you this time, old friend. The child is right, you will not endure this task alone.” Cheiré takes Shani’s hand in hers for reassurance, “And neither will she, for I have served by your side since before I was her age, and my place has ever been and ever shall be at your side, Elassi.” Standing tall with their conviction the two women are standing up for what they believe in, and Elassi is forced to come to terms with the fact all of this is her fault. If only she has been the kind of friend and mother who subjugated those around her, and not encouraged them to be free thinking and strong in their will, then this would have been easy. “I suppose there is nothing I can say or do that will change either of your minds?” She asks them in a resigned tone. “Mother, I made my promise a long time ago, and I refuse to dishonor the memory of my sister in order to appease you. I will not be swayed.” The young woman is resolute. Hanging her head in defeat, Elassi nods her acceptance, “Then I will have to accept your decisions and make the proper arrangements for the parade. I will have you both by my side during the march.” Elassi walks over to the two women, and places a careful and loving hand on the face of her daughter, “I would never wish to dishonor Tíreen’s memory in any way, my youngest child. That would never suit my desires. Please go with Shani and prepare for the Parade of Children.” As the two women depart the room, Elassi finds that a solitary tear has escaped her aging eyes and wipes it away. As she turns back to the fireplace, her tired eyes find that most precious holo of her family… Before the dark times… Before they were torn apart… Once again, I must make choices that could tear my family apart… If only I had your counsel, my dearest first child, perhaps this burden would not be so great… If only a great many things were different…
Creator: PtrsonsZOO (Jennifer)
*SPECIAL NOTE: Due to circumstances beyond our control, the rest of the story will be written by PtrsonsZOO (Jennifer)
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