She stepped out from the room and nodded. "I had to make sure he was OK." Brushing past him, she went outside. She came up short and he bumped into her.
A woman flung her arms around Elunara. "Thank you so much!"
"Uh, you're welcome?"
Lucy kissed her on the cheek. "I got a job at the tannery!" She squeaked. "Oh, I'm having so much fun. It's really quite fascinating. So, now I'm an apprentice! And it's all thanks to you." She kissed her other cheek. "Maybe next, you can help Terica find something that interests her!"
Elunara laughed. "I'm glad it's working out for you. I was just headed down to speak with Grogek."
Lucy blinked a couple of times before looking up. "Oh, that's not Grogek." She put her hands to her red cheeks. "You were busy. I'm so sorry for interrupting you."
"Nah. It's not that. Someone tried to take Bradly, Charnak here brought him back to me."
"Oh no! How horrible!"
"Yeah, we can discuss it more later, I have to speak to Grogek."
"Yes, yes of course, I'll let you get back to it." She ran off.
"What was that about?" He hesitated. "If I may ask?"
"Lucy has been having trouble finding her place in town. I've been having people let her try their trade in order for her to learn something that interests her. I don't believe in anyone being stuck in a job they hate. They must find their place, or leave."
"The more I learn about you, the more my heart fills." He ran his hand down her back. "You are a wise and benevolent leader, who loves her people. Your rage is endless and your power great, yet you show them kindness and love."
She made her way down to the training yard and stood on the side, waiting for Grogek to finish what he was doing. He raised an eyebrow and meandered on over to Elunara.
He deliberately kissed her. "Yes, my love?"
"A man, hired by that bitch Barbara tried to take Bradly."
Grogek growled.
"Charnak was able to intercede the man and killed him before he could get off a portal."
Grogek considered Charnak. "You have returned our son to us. For that, I am grateful."
Jordan jogged up. "What's going on?"
"Charnak saved Bradly from an attempted kidnapping."
Jordan's eyes grew large. "Oh, Gods, how is he doing?"
"He and Darguni are in their room with Lydia. He's shaken up, but doing well."
Jordan put a hand on Charnak's shoulder. "Thank the Gods for you."
Elunara nodded. "Yes, I am incredibly grateful. This... alters things." She spied the kids and gestured. "Excuse me." She left them there to go to the kids. Bradly was shifting his eyes back and forth.
"Honey, you can't be afraid your whole life." She stooped down and brushed her fingers through his hair.
"I'm trying to not be, Momma."
"I know you feel awful right now. Once before? I was kidnapped too. I was taken to a faraway place, covered in ice, and locked in a tent with no way out. Darguni was only about six months old. I was scared, tired and I desperately wanted my husband and baby. But I didn't give up. I was smart and resourceful. Yes, it was painful. Yes, it was disgusting and awful. But you have to keep your head on in those situations. I'll teach you how. I'll teach all three of you how. Besides, I saved Zelinnia. Even when captured myself, I still managed to save someone else. You can do great things too, my little love."
"You think so?"
"Sweetheart, you have a capacity that is far beyond anything you can imagine. It's the same for all three of you." She brushed the hair back on all three faces. "I will teach you. You see how well Lydia can run now. I'll help lead you down the path of the just."
The three of them wrapped their arms around her at the same time and she laughed as she fell on her ass.
"Alright, come on, get off of me. I'll hurt you, don't think I won't." She warned.
They giggled as they climbed off of her.
"We love you, Momma." They both cried at once.
"Um..." Lydia put her hands behind her back and dug the toe of her shoe in the dirt. "Can I love you too?"
Elunara stroked the child's hair. "You can do anything you want, Darling. Don't ever let anyone tell you different."
Lydia leaned forward and kissed her cheek. "I love you." She whispered, before turning and running after the boys. She stumbled, and Darguni caught her. She blushed up at him.
"Well, they're well on their way." Elunara laughed.
"My body swells with emotion every time I am near her." Charnak murmured.
Jordan smacked him on the shoulder. "Welcome to the club, buddy."
"Elunara tends to cause that kind of a reaction." Grogek grinned. "Welcome to the fold, for we are legion. So long as she wishes to call you as such."
Elunara stood up and wiped her butt off. She straightened her spine and marched over. "We have not finished our discussion." She turned and walked away.
He scrambled to keep up with her, as Jordan and Grogek grinned at each other.
"I just wonder if we're going to have to make room in the house." Jordan snirked.