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haebinI am a day late but I hope it's not a problem. :o
I hope you'll enjoy the next chapter. Please, enjoy!!
Chapter I - Chapter II - Chapter III - Chapter IV - Chapter V - Chapter VI - Chapter VII - Chapter VIII - Chapter IX - Chapter X - Chapter XI - Chapter XII
The next Chapter
Anwyn knelt down, dipped the towel generously into the cold water and gritted her teeth as she washed the soapy lather from her body. She dried herself quickly, slipped into her underwear and put on a dark green woolen dress with a round collar and sleeves that reached to her forearm. She put the soap in the wet towel, took it and the clothes she was wearing in her hands, went back to the house and crept in quietly so as not to wake her father. She put the soap back in the box after wrapping it in a piece of cloth, then slipped out of the house again and began her daily chores. Concentrating, she washed the laundry, hung it over the drying rack, fed the animals, took them out into the run and cleaned the stable. Then she went back into the house and prepared breakfast with her father. While she cut the cured meat into small pieces, she glanced anxiously at him, who was still lying on the bed. It was only when she saw his chest slowly rise and fall that she felt a deep sense of relief. Sometimes her father's age and his hard work made her worry that he was overextending himself, but he had considered fishing on the high seas too dangerous to teach her.
If she would notice in the future that his body would no longer have the strength to go to sea, she would sell the boat and perhaps start an apprenticeship with the village healer to ensure their livelihood. But knowing her father and his stubborn behavior, he would rather throw himself off his boat and drown in the depths of the sea than be without work. Anwyn sighed and noticed him sitting up with difficulty, his eyes drunk with sleep.
"Did I oversleep?" he asked, rubbing his tired eyes.
"There's plenty of time to go fishing, if that's what you mean," Anwyn replied, shaking her head. "The fish won't swim away from you."
Doran gave his daughter an exhausted smile and slowly got up. He also reached into his box, fished out some clothes and left the house to wash up. While he did this, Anwyn prepared the food. It wasn't much, but it would be enough. The winter had been hard, but they had survived it. Some people in the village had not been so lucky. Especially the old, sick, weak and children had died as her father had told her yesterday when he had been to the village to run some errands.
The door opened, Doran entered and sat down at the table. She handed him a plate and sat down on her stool as well, grabbed the bread and some meat and ate in silence. When they had finished their breakfast, the old Fisher nodded goodbye and left for the beach. Anwyn stayed behind, cleared the table and took the dishes to the spring to wash them.
She suddenly heard the neighing of a horse and had to smile.
I would recognize that neigh anywhere, Anwyn thought, and put the harness in her basket, which she took under her arm and walked towards the courtyard. As she entered, she saw Trálír, dressed in narrow brown trousers and a white tunic, get off his horse and tie its reins to the stable. He heard her footsteps and turned around, his hand slightly raised in greeting. Anwyn returned his nod timidly and strode towards Arod, who was pawing with his hooves. She put the basket down and approached him slowly. She paused in surprise as the large stallion took two steps towards her and gently nudged her with his nostrils. Laughing, Anwyn scratched his blaze, which Arod responded to with a satisfied neigh.
"Arod," she whispered and leaned against him slowly.
"He missed you," said Trálír and looked at both of them.
Anwyn gave him a smile and when she realized this, she cleared her throat uncertainly. She took a step back and looked at the high elf shyly.
"I... I don't know what I..." Anwyn began and paused. She shrugged her shoulders uncertainly.
"Do you have work for me?" he asked and looked around, causing Anwyn to react with a laugh to her own surprise.
"The high elf Trálír, heir to the Blackwater lands, comes to me and asks if I have work for him?"
Trálír nodded. "Yes."
Anwyn raised an eyebrow.
"There's just the daily work of a fisherman to do."
"Gutting fish and processing them in brine," he replied and she nodded in confirmation. "Good, then let me gut the fish. That's a job I know how to do."
Trálír had been standing for hours at the table which he had carried out of the house and placed in the sun to gut the two baskets of fish. Anwyn then took them to the spring, washed them and put the fish in a bucket of brine which she put in the cellar for a whole day and night before they were smoked.
Sunset was still a long way off and she knew that it would be another three or four hours before her father would row back to the beach, hopefully with a big catch because now that winter was almost over he could deliver the fish back to the Blackwater Castle which would at least provide them with a small income.
While Trálír took care of the fish leftovers and disposed of them, Anwyn wiped the table clean again with a wet cloth. The elf, who returned with an empty bucket, took the table between his hands and carried it back into the house. He wiped his wet hands on his thighs and stepped out of the door.
"I saw there's only one goat left," he mentioned, looking towards the barn.
"She didn't survive the winter," Anwyn replied gloomily.
"Maybe you should buy a billy goat?" Trálír suggested and looked at Anwyn, who was looking towards the stable. "That way you could be sure to have milk for half a year when the goat mates and when it's old enough you can slaughter it or sell it on."
Anwyn bit her lips. "We don't have enough coin to buy a goat," she confessed quietly.
"That will change."
Surprised, Anwyn turned to Trálír, looking at him in confusion.
"I will make sure that your father gets the coins he deserves for his efforts. I looked at the reports of the castle warden and it was clear that your father was paid far too little," he explained and shook his head when she tried to object. "I don't want to give you a gift, Anwyn. These extra coins are what you've been entitled to since the beginning. And I can see to it that you get your hands on the bag of coins or I can see to it that what you are entitled to is brought in goods. It could be a billy goat or a couple of chickens. Maybe even two pigs."
Anwyn's smile she gave him was tinged with sadness.
"The barn will soon fall apart and it would be far too small for more animals, Trálír. The wood is old and weathered and where would there be a run for chickens?"
"Well, if you want, I'll take that task in hand. You need a new, larger coop? I'll build it."
A chuckle erupted from Anwyn and she looked at him in amusement. "You want to build a stable?"
Trálír nodded seriously. "And a run for the chickens."
Anwyn laughed.
"You also thought I couldn't gut fish and yet I'm quite skilled with my hands."
A slight grin slid across Trálír's lips and his blue-green eyes sparkled with amusement.
"There's always something to fix at the castle. You don't have to worry. I will deduct the wood from your father's outstanding wages and have it brought to you. And let me tell you that this is not a gift from me or some kind of compensation for what I have done. It is the reward that is due to your father."
*****
Two weeks had passed since Trálír's first visit. The snow had melted, the temperatures were getting warmer, the first early bloomers were in full splendor.
It was early in the morning and Anwyn and her father had just finished their breakfast when suddenly voices and unfamiliar noises were heard. Doran paused in his movement and looked at his daughter in confusion.
Anwyn returned his gaze and put down the dishes she was holding. She took a deep breath because, unlike her father, she knew what all this meant.
Over the last few days, she and Trálír had been immersed in the implementation of their plans. They would remove the overgrowth behind the house and the run and cut down some trees so that they would have enough space for a larger run for Oksa and the goat and to build two more enclosures for the chickens and the pigs that were to be purchased. There would also be a slightly larger field where Anwyn would grow herbs and some vegetables, as well as a larger stable for all the animals except the chickens. This work would take weeks, but hopefully by winter they would have put all their plans into action.
Anwyn watched as her father started moving, opened the door and then stepped out into the cool of the morning. His suspicious gaze swept over the two half-elves sitting on a cart pulled by a strong horse.
Doran's expression hardened.
"What are you doing here?" he called out to the two young men who were bringing the cart to a halt. Anwyn stepped behind her father.
"We've come from Blackwater Castle and are supposed to start our work here," the young half-elf said and got down from the coachman's seat, while his companion did the same.
"What work?" the old fisherman asked irritably, staring questioningly at the two young men as Anwyn walked past him and nodded confirmatively to the half-elf. "You know what to start with?"
The two half-elves answered the young woman's question in the affirmative and began to unload the wagon. Doran turned to Anwyn, frowning, and looked at her suspiciously.
"What's going on here?" he demanded to know. Anwyn took another deep breath to get ready for the coming conversation and pointed to the house. "I'll explain everything to you. Let's go inside, father."
She waited until he walked past her and sat down on a stool at the table. Doran frowned questioningly. Anwyn closed the door behind her and sat down opposite the old man. Her eyes rested on her father's face.
"For years, you've delivered much of your catch to Blackwater Castle during the spring and summer," Anwyn began, watching him nod slowly but affirmatively. "And we both know that you have never been rewarded accordingly. Your earnings barely keep us alive and even if you were able to double your catch, you would not be rewarded for it. The criminals on the black market in Helmark would pay you more for your catch than the lord of the Blackwater Castle does."
Doran crossed his arms in front of his chest and looked at his daughter attentively.
"Whatever happened in the past will change, father. In future, you will be paid for your work in accordance with common decency. And for the many years in which you have not been paid properly, you will now receive compensation. And I have decided that we will receive this compensation immediately in materials and goods. The men will remove the bushes and some trees behind the house, level the ground, tear down the run to build a new and bigger one. There will also be another run for the chickens we are going to buy, two or three pigs, a new larger barn and a field where I can grow vegetables and herbs, maybe even some berries."
Disbelief was on Doran's face.
"I ... I don't understand ... you decided that? How did you manage that? Why is all this happening? Did you go to the Blackwater Castle? And if so ... why should you have been listened to? You're just the daughter of a poor fisherman."
"I decided that because I know very well that you are too proud to accept the wages you are entitled to."
"I've already been paid," her father interjected, frustration rising in Anwyn.
"Yes, that's true," she nodded in confirmation. "But you haven't been paid with the coins you're entitled to."
"And how do you know that?"
"I just know," Anwyn replied calmly.
"Our worldly concerns are none of your business, Anwyn," Doran said, his voice somber. "I care for you and my wages are none of your concern. Those are things that should be in the hands of a man."
Anwyn struggled to suppress her eye roll.
"You can hardly provide for yourself alone with your wages, father. We live in poverty and we would continue to live in poverty if we did not accept what is rightfully yours. I knew you wouldn't give in, so I made this decision."
"Which was not yours to make," the old fisherman growled through clenched teeth. Anwyn looked at her father for a long time before addressing him.
"I've seen the documents, Father. I know what you deserve and I know how much Blackwater Castle owes you. I will not give up what is rightfully yours. And I will not give up anything out of your stubbornness because you are too proud to accept it."
"You've seen the documents?" Raising an eyebrow, the old man looked at his daughter. Then he nodded knowingly.
"The elf, wasn't it?"
His gaze bore mercilessly into his daughter's.
"Yes, the elf," Anwyn replied calmly.
"So he's buying his way under your skirt with his father's gold?"
Anwyn swallowed.
"I will forgive you for those words, father, for I know you cannot think clearly in the heat of the moment and anger permeates your mind. But I will not tolerate you seeing me, your own daughter, as for sale. I am not a whore and Trálír does not treat me like one."
"Damn that elf," Doran roared and slammed his fist on the table. Sheer rage was reflected in his eyes. Anwyn flinched in surprise.
"Damn him! Tell the men outside to load up their gear and get back to this damn castle right now. I don't want that. I want this elf out of our lives for good and never to come back here again."
"No, I won't." Anwyn shook her head, unfazed by her father's anger.
"I'll take what's coming to us."
"What does he really want?" Doran asked, looking at his daughter suspiciously. "He won't do this out of kindness, Anwyn. Don't be stupid."
"There are no bad intentions behind his idea. He is not like his father. He's different from him and he's so different from those of his people. And I appreciate that about him."
She looked at her father, the look from her brown eyes piercing.
"And I trust him."
Doran's laugh sounded bitter.
"You're naive, child," he said in a reproachful voice. "This elf will not bring you luck. And I remind you that he has already left you once."
Anwyn nodded slowly. "He explained his reasons to me."
"What are they?" her father asked cunningly and Anwyn had a bad feeling that she couldn't put her finger on.
"I don't know if it's really that important, father," Anwyn said. "It's not about me and the elf, it's about what's rightfully yours. You've been cheated out of your wages for years and the only thing on your mind is that Trálír wants to get under my skirts?"
"He's the ruler's spawn," Doran growled angrily. "What makes you think he's special?"
"Because he is," she replied simply.
The old fisherman let out a frustrated sigh. "Why won't you understand that this elf will only bring you misfortune?"
"And why do men always think they have to tell me what's good for me? I'm old enough to make my own decisions," Anwyn replied, also frustrated. "And even if the decision is wrong, it's still my own right to make mistakes."
"Anwyn, I ... ", her father began, but she interrupted him. "I know you're acting on the impulse to protect me, father. But I don't need your protection. And I don't need Trálír's protection either. I, I alone, make my decisions. And that is that we take what is rightfully ours. And as for Trálír, the future will show what will happen. I refuse to send him out of my life because he is who he is. He can't help his status any more than I can."
Anwyn rose and went to the door, which she opened. Before she stepped out, however, she turned once more in her father's direction.
"It's early in the morning and I'm sure the fish are plentiful."
And with these words, the young woman left the house, pulled the door shut behind her and walked towards the two half-elves.
I hope you'll enjoy the next chapter. Please, enjoy!!
Chapter I - Chapter II - Chapter III - Chapter IV - Chapter V - Chapter VI - Chapter VII - Chapter VIII - Chapter IX - Chapter X - Chapter XI - Chapter XII
The next Chapter
Anwyn knelt down, dipped the towel generously into the cold water and gritted her teeth as she washed the soapy lather from her body. She dried herself quickly, slipped into her underwear and put on a dark green woolen dress with a round collar and sleeves that reached to her forearm. She put the soap in the wet towel, took it and the clothes she was wearing in her hands, went back to the house and crept in quietly so as not to wake her father. She put the soap back in the box after wrapping it in a piece of cloth, then slipped out of the house again and began her daily chores. Concentrating, she washed the laundry, hung it over the drying rack, fed the animals, took them out into the run and cleaned the stable. Then she went back into the house and prepared breakfast with her father. While she cut the cured meat into small pieces, she glanced anxiously at him, who was still lying on the bed. It was only when she saw his chest slowly rise and fall that she felt a deep sense of relief. Sometimes her father's age and his hard work made her worry that he was overextending himself, but he had considered fishing on the high seas too dangerous to teach her.
If she would notice in the future that his body would no longer have the strength to go to sea, she would sell the boat and perhaps start an apprenticeship with the village healer to ensure their livelihood. But knowing her father and his stubborn behavior, he would rather throw himself off his boat and drown in the depths of the sea than be without work. Anwyn sighed and noticed him sitting up with difficulty, his eyes drunk with sleep.
"Did I oversleep?" he asked, rubbing his tired eyes.
"There's plenty of time to go fishing, if that's what you mean," Anwyn replied, shaking her head. "The fish won't swim away from you."
Doran gave his daughter an exhausted smile and slowly got up. He also reached into his box, fished out some clothes and left the house to wash up. While he did this, Anwyn prepared the food. It wasn't much, but it would be enough. The winter had been hard, but they had survived it. Some people in the village had not been so lucky. Especially the old, sick, weak and children had died as her father had told her yesterday when he had been to the village to run some errands.
The door opened, Doran entered and sat down at the table. She handed him a plate and sat down on her stool as well, grabbed the bread and some meat and ate in silence. When they had finished their breakfast, the old Fisher nodded goodbye and left for the beach. Anwyn stayed behind, cleared the table and took the dishes to the spring to wash them.
She suddenly heard the neighing of a horse and had to smile.
I would recognize that neigh anywhere, Anwyn thought, and put the harness in her basket, which she took under her arm and walked towards the courtyard. As she entered, she saw Trálír, dressed in narrow brown trousers and a white tunic, get off his horse and tie its reins to the stable. He heard her footsteps and turned around, his hand slightly raised in greeting. Anwyn returned his nod timidly and strode towards Arod, who was pawing with his hooves. She put the basket down and approached him slowly. She paused in surprise as the large stallion took two steps towards her and gently nudged her with his nostrils. Laughing, Anwyn scratched his blaze, which Arod responded to with a satisfied neigh.
"Arod," she whispered and leaned against him slowly.
"He missed you," said Trálír and looked at both of them.
Anwyn gave him a smile and when she realized this, she cleared her throat uncertainly. She took a step back and looked at the high elf shyly.
"I... I don't know what I..." Anwyn began and paused. She shrugged her shoulders uncertainly.
"Do you have work for me?" he asked and looked around, causing Anwyn to react with a laugh to her own surprise.
"The high elf Trálír, heir to the Blackwater lands, comes to me and asks if I have work for him?"
Trálír nodded. "Yes."
Anwyn raised an eyebrow.
"There's just the daily work of a fisherman to do."
"Gutting fish and processing them in brine," he replied and she nodded in confirmation. "Good, then let me gut the fish. That's a job I know how to do."
Trálír had been standing for hours at the table which he had carried out of the house and placed in the sun to gut the two baskets of fish. Anwyn then took them to the spring, washed them and put the fish in a bucket of brine which she put in the cellar for a whole day and night before they were smoked.
Sunset was still a long way off and she knew that it would be another three or four hours before her father would row back to the beach, hopefully with a big catch because now that winter was almost over he could deliver the fish back to the Blackwater Castle which would at least provide them with a small income.
While Trálír took care of the fish leftovers and disposed of them, Anwyn wiped the table clean again with a wet cloth. The elf, who returned with an empty bucket, took the table between his hands and carried it back into the house. He wiped his wet hands on his thighs and stepped out of the door.
"I saw there's only one goat left," he mentioned, looking towards the barn.
"She didn't survive the winter," Anwyn replied gloomily.
"Maybe you should buy a billy goat?" Trálír suggested and looked at Anwyn, who was looking towards the stable. "That way you could be sure to have milk for half a year when the goat mates and when it's old enough you can slaughter it or sell it on."
Anwyn bit her lips. "We don't have enough coin to buy a goat," she confessed quietly.
"That will change."
Surprised, Anwyn turned to Trálír, looking at him in confusion.
"I will make sure that your father gets the coins he deserves for his efforts. I looked at the reports of the castle warden and it was clear that your father was paid far too little," he explained and shook his head when she tried to object. "I don't want to give you a gift, Anwyn. These extra coins are what you've been entitled to since the beginning. And I can see to it that you get your hands on the bag of coins or I can see to it that what you are entitled to is brought in goods. It could be a billy goat or a couple of chickens. Maybe even two pigs."
Anwyn's smile she gave him was tinged with sadness.
"The barn will soon fall apart and it would be far too small for more animals, Trálír. The wood is old and weathered and where would there be a run for chickens?"
"Well, if you want, I'll take that task in hand. You need a new, larger coop? I'll build it."
A chuckle erupted from Anwyn and she looked at him in amusement. "You want to build a stable?"
Trálír nodded seriously. "And a run for the chickens."
Anwyn laughed.
"You also thought I couldn't gut fish and yet I'm quite skilled with my hands."
A slight grin slid across Trálír's lips and his blue-green eyes sparkled with amusement.
"There's always something to fix at the castle. You don't have to worry. I will deduct the wood from your father's outstanding wages and have it brought to you. And let me tell you that this is not a gift from me or some kind of compensation for what I have done. It is the reward that is due to your father."
Two weeks had passed since Trálír's first visit. The snow had melted, the temperatures were getting warmer, the first early bloomers were in full splendor.
It was early in the morning and Anwyn and her father had just finished their breakfast when suddenly voices and unfamiliar noises were heard. Doran paused in his movement and looked at his daughter in confusion.
Anwyn returned his gaze and put down the dishes she was holding. She took a deep breath because, unlike her father, she knew what all this meant.
Over the last few days, she and Trálír had been immersed in the implementation of their plans. They would remove the overgrowth behind the house and the run and cut down some trees so that they would have enough space for a larger run for Oksa and the goat and to build two more enclosures for the chickens and the pigs that were to be purchased. There would also be a slightly larger field where Anwyn would grow herbs and some vegetables, as well as a larger stable for all the animals except the chickens. This work would take weeks, but hopefully by winter they would have put all their plans into action.
Anwyn watched as her father started moving, opened the door and then stepped out into the cool of the morning. His suspicious gaze swept over the two half-elves sitting on a cart pulled by a strong horse.
Doran's expression hardened.
"What are you doing here?" he called out to the two young men who were bringing the cart to a halt. Anwyn stepped behind her father.
"We've come from Blackwater Castle and are supposed to start our work here," the young half-elf said and got down from the coachman's seat, while his companion did the same.
"What work?" the old fisherman asked irritably, staring questioningly at the two young men as Anwyn walked past him and nodded confirmatively to the half-elf. "You know what to start with?"
The two half-elves answered the young woman's question in the affirmative and began to unload the wagon. Doran turned to Anwyn, frowning, and looked at her suspiciously.
"What's going on here?" he demanded to know. Anwyn took another deep breath to get ready for the coming conversation and pointed to the house. "I'll explain everything to you. Let's go inside, father."
She waited until he walked past her and sat down on a stool at the table. Doran frowned questioningly. Anwyn closed the door behind her and sat down opposite the old man. Her eyes rested on her father's face.
"For years, you've delivered much of your catch to Blackwater Castle during the spring and summer," Anwyn began, watching him nod slowly but affirmatively. "And we both know that you have never been rewarded accordingly. Your earnings barely keep us alive and even if you were able to double your catch, you would not be rewarded for it. The criminals on the black market in Helmark would pay you more for your catch than the lord of the Blackwater Castle does."
Doran crossed his arms in front of his chest and looked at his daughter attentively.
"Whatever happened in the past will change, father. In future, you will be paid for your work in accordance with common decency. And for the many years in which you have not been paid properly, you will now receive compensation. And I have decided that we will receive this compensation immediately in materials and goods. The men will remove the bushes and some trees behind the house, level the ground, tear down the run to build a new and bigger one. There will also be another run for the chickens we are going to buy, two or three pigs, a new larger barn and a field where I can grow vegetables and herbs, maybe even some berries."
Disbelief was on Doran's face.
"I ... I don't understand ... you decided that? How did you manage that? Why is all this happening? Did you go to the Blackwater Castle? And if so ... why should you have been listened to? You're just the daughter of a poor fisherman."
"I decided that because I know very well that you are too proud to accept the wages you are entitled to."
"I've already been paid," her father interjected, frustration rising in Anwyn.
"Yes, that's true," she nodded in confirmation. "But you haven't been paid with the coins you're entitled to."
"And how do you know that?"
"I just know," Anwyn replied calmly.
"Our worldly concerns are none of your business, Anwyn," Doran said, his voice somber. "I care for you and my wages are none of your concern. Those are things that should be in the hands of a man."
Anwyn struggled to suppress her eye roll.
"You can hardly provide for yourself alone with your wages, father. We live in poverty and we would continue to live in poverty if we did not accept what is rightfully yours. I knew you wouldn't give in, so I made this decision."
"Which was not yours to make," the old fisherman growled through clenched teeth. Anwyn looked at her father for a long time before addressing him.
"I've seen the documents, Father. I know what you deserve and I know how much Blackwater Castle owes you. I will not give up what is rightfully yours. And I will not give up anything out of your stubbornness because you are too proud to accept it."
"You've seen the documents?" Raising an eyebrow, the old man looked at his daughter. Then he nodded knowingly.
"The elf, wasn't it?"
His gaze bore mercilessly into his daughter's.
"Yes, the elf," Anwyn replied calmly.
"So he's buying his way under your skirt with his father's gold?"
Anwyn swallowed.
"I will forgive you for those words, father, for I know you cannot think clearly in the heat of the moment and anger permeates your mind. But I will not tolerate you seeing me, your own daughter, as for sale. I am not a whore and Trálír does not treat me like one."
"Damn that elf," Doran roared and slammed his fist on the table. Sheer rage was reflected in his eyes. Anwyn flinched in surprise.
"Damn him! Tell the men outside to load up their gear and get back to this damn castle right now. I don't want that. I want this elf out of our lives for good and never to come back here again."
"No, I won't." Anwyn shook her head, unfazed by her father's anger.
"I'll take what's coming to us."
"What does he really want?" Doran asked, looking at his daughter suspiciously. "He won't do this out of kindness, Anwyn. Don't be stupid."
"There are no bad intentions behind his idea. He is not like his father. He's different from him and he's so different from those of his people. And I appreciate that about him."
She looked at her father, the look from her brown eyes piercing.
"And I trust him."
Doran's laugh sounded bitter.
"You're naive, child," he said in a reproachful voice. "This elf will not bring you luck. And I remind you that he has already left you once."
Anwyn nodded slowly. "He explained his reasons to me."
"What are they?" her father asked cunningly and Anwyn had a bad feeling that she couldn't put her finger on.
"I don't know if it's really that important, father," Anwyn said. "It's not about me and the elf, it's about what's rightfully yours. You've been cheated out of your wages for years and the only thing on your mind is that Trálír wants to get under my skirts?"
"He's the ruler's spawn," Doran growled angrily. "What makes you think he's special?"
"Because he is," she replied simply.
The old fisherman let out a frustrated sigh. "Why won't you understand that this elf will only bring you misfortune?"
"And why do men always think they have to tell me what's good for me? I'm old enough to make my own decisions," Anwyn replied, also frustrated. "And even if the decision is wrong, it's still my own right to make mistakes."
"Anwyn, I ... ", her father began, but she interrupted him. "I know you're acting on the impulse to protect me, father. But I don't need your protection. And I don't need Trálír's protection either. I, I alone, make my decisions. And that is that we take what is rightfully ours. And as for Trálír, the future will show what will happen. I refuse to send him out of my life because he is who he is. He can't help his status any more than I can."
Anwyn rose and went to the door, which she opened. Before she stepped out, however, she turned once more in her father's direction.
"It's early in the morning and I'm sure the fish are plentiful."
And with these words, the young woman left the house, pulled the door shut behind her and walked towards the two half-elves.