Universal Path

001: Lowen, Rebecca

The rain that night fell on him like ice as he rode to the small house at the edge of the village but he did not feel its icy chill – he only heard the muffled squelching of the mud beneath his mount's shod hooves and the sense of urgency that pushed them on through the downpour.

Finally they reached their destination. He led his horse into the stable and climbed from its steaming flanks. After putting the beast in one of the stalls he was off; minutes later he was pounding on the door of the small house.

"Rebecca!" he shouted over the storm. "Rebecca, it's me!"

The woman who answered the door was not yet twenty, but her eyes held the grief of one who had seen too much too soon – and then lost it all. "Lowen." Her voice was flat and expressionless. She stepped aside to allow him inside the house.

Lowen stepped inside. "Is he asleep?" he asked as they stepped into the main room; the warmth from the fire in the hearth washed over him.

Rebecca shook her head. "I was just about to feed him and then put him to bed." She walked to the side of the room, where a homemade crib stood against the wall. Carefully she reached in and lifted out a small bundle; Lowen made out a pale face and curious green eyes from the swaddling clothes.

He closed his eyes and said a prayer as Rebecca took a seat on the floor beside the fire. With one hand she began to unbutton the top of her shirt, and Lowen averted his gaze as Rebecca brought her son to her breast – he saw only a glimpse of a swollen pink nipple before the baby latched on and suckled hungrily.

"Why are you here, Lowen?" she asked softly. She brushed a small green curl from her son's forehead.

Lowen cleared his throat. "You shouldn't be alone," he began. "You're young, a wife and mother who was widowed far too early." A memory came to his mind of Rebecca on her wedding day as she held onto her husband's hand and beamed at all the well-wishers. He pushed the thought away, keenly aware of Rebecca's gaze upon him.

"Lord Eliwood set up lodgings for you in the castle, if you want them. He also requested that I ask for your presence there – not as a servant, but as a friend." He glanced at Rebecca quickly; she was no longer looking at him, but watching her baby intently. Was she looking for a trace of her husband in her small son's face?

She didn't answer for some time. "Wil built this house for us," she said. "He did it all by himself. I'm fine here." Wolt yawned sleepily; she buttoned up her shirt again and patted the baby's back until he gave a small burp. "I don't need your pity or your charity," she said, "nor do I want it. We'll be fine."

"It isn't safe for a young woman with a baby alone out here! And it does not need to be charity if you do not want it – Lord Eliwood is looking for a trusted woman to aid Lady Ninian after she gives birth." Lowen closed his eyes briefly. "I think he suspects that her time here is almost over." The gravity of his words hung in the air between them like a flung javelin frozen midflight.

Again she said nothing for a long moment. She got up and put Wolt back in his crib before she spoke. "I'll go," she said. "I pledged my loyalty to House Pherae a long time ago, when I was only a girl. It's only right." She turned to Lowen. "Will you tell him?"

But you're still a girl! Lowen wanted to tell her. Instead he nodded and headed back to the door. "Yeah." He opened it, but paused for a moment before stepping through. "Wil was a great man and a good friend, Rebecca," he said softly, "but you know he wasn't the only man who loved you."

The door slammed shut before he could hear her response.

Hello. I am Marius; thank you for taking a moment to read this collection of interrelated drabbles, vignettes, and oneshots based on the events of the Elibe games and my own personal headcanon from before, after, and during the games. Feedback, critique, and opinions are more than welcome. Thank you for reading.

For those who are interested notes can be found on my Livejournal.