Ἕκτωρ ♚ Vincent King (armystrong) wrote in mythopoeics, @ 2012-02-15 17:41:00 |
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Entry tags: | !mini-log, !zurvan, elaine of corbenic, hector |
two. ♚
Saying good-bye wasn't that hard. Knowing how long it would be before the next time she saw someone was, however. This time, it would only be about a week, perhaps less. But when the wedding was over and he would have to return to Camlann for his duties then it would be for so much longer, a period of time she was not used to at all.
Of course there would be the distraction of her husband but who could replace Hector for her? The correct answer was 'no one'.
A yip around her ankles had her glance down at the ever faithful (and likely to piss on the shoes of a guard) Baldric. Scooping him up, she gave him a loving kiss to the nose. "Do not cause Hector trouble while I'm gone. Report that to all the others, Sir Baldric. I'm counting on you."
Hearing his sister's voice through the crack in the door, Hector resisted a slight smile. It was difficult to refrain from doing so when in her company. She, along with Gwynevere, were the only two women who truly made him happy enough to smile. But he smothered the urge, instead bringing up his knuckles to graze a knock against the door. Without waiting to be invited in, he stepped into her chamber, eyes immediately seeking her out her fiery hair.
"He'll be well taken care of," he assured her as steps brought him closer. A thumb stroked over Baldric's head.
The white puff of fur wriggled in joy over all the attention as she grinned up at Hector. "I know." Then the dog was then promptly ditched on the bed and she turned to her brother, reaching up to catch his face between her hands.
"I'm going to write you a hundred letters every day. So you have a hundred to write back and you'll never have any free time of your own again."
His hands came up to lay across hers, his longer, larger fingers a contrast to her more dainty ones. "I'll reply to every one," he promised, hooking those fingers around her hands to grip them both in his. Her palms were warm. Comforting.
"Are you ready for the trip?"
Her head tipped back as she laughed. "Oh! You know I'll only write one or two a day. That's why you know you can hold up your end." Giving his face a squeezing, just briefly baring her teeth playfully at him, she wondered if Lancelot would let her treat him like this. If he would so half as accepting of her oddities and boldness.
She'd find out, it seemed.
"As ready as I could ever possibly be. Knowing it's one way is hard but I'm ready." And so nearly did she wish aloud that she was marrying their own region's general. Little point in hoping for what couldn't be.
"Save your worries for when you arrive in Mictlan, Elaine." With a gentleness only she ever saw, Hector removed both of those warm hands, trapping them in his between the two of them. "I know you'll want to be anxious on the road, but you should enjoy your time. Take in the air, take in the sights. Relax if you can." He knew his sister had her doubts, but she would someday come to realize there were times when one had to take a step back. To take it easy and clear one's head in a time of distress.
"The journey will be beautiful." One thumb grazed her knuckles. "You should savor every moment of it and remember Camlann with joy rather than grief."
He was always right. She leaned in, pressing her cheek to the back of one of his hands.
"I'll make quick sketches for you to see what I do. So you know I did listen to you as well. Like a good little sister that I quite frequently am...not. Sometimes." Her lips pursed in thought, rubbing her cheek against his fingers and knuckles. "Sometimes sounds good. It's honest."
She was released only to be drawn into a pair of strong arms. His chin didn't quite fit on top of her head, and so he pressed his lips to the crown of it instead. "You are everything I need you to be. Whether that is sometimes good or otherwise, I would never have you any other way," he murmured against her hair. It had been a while since he'd held Elaine so close to him.
Fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt until it was clenched hard enough to be left creased, she mumbled, "And I'll take this moment and all others with me until the next time we meet.
"I love you, brother of mine. Dearly and forever."
A brotherly kiss was dropped to the top of her head, the arms enfolding her tightening just slightly.
"And I you, Elaine. Always."