It was not long after Aileigh sat in the study with her tea and fruit did she hear her name in the hallway. She answered with a “in here!”, placing the now-empty bowl on the side table. When Thea came in, they began to discuss the journey they were about to go on. It was decided that was Zevander was up and fed, they would head out.
Soon, sleepy gibberish came from beyond the sight of the study’s door. Aileigh got up with assistance of her wife and together, they went to greet their infant son. Before long, they were all loaded up into the carriage and their journey to Bravia began.
The journey was surprisingly painless. Zev was occasionally restless, growing fussy and at times overtired, but all in all the days went by smoothly and their nights in hotels equally so. Carrying twins, Aileigh was large at nearing nine months along. Because of this, it was not strange for the newlyweds to sleep in separate rooms. Aileigh did not keep the bed all to herself, though. Zevander slept beside her, her loving presence battling the strange surroundings.
As they passed through Bravia City, a part of Aileigh’s heart swelled. Memories of her childhood were brought on by the scents and sights. She even requested to stop by the bakery she once lived above. When her mothers settled down together, Aishe baked daily and their humble abode was conveniently above the bakery. The smell of fresh bread was a constant background scent that she missed at times. Unfortunately, the baked goods now sold at the same bakery did not stand up to her childhood memories or her mother’s baking. Still, she enjoyed a scone as the carriage resumed the last leg of the journey.
The smell of sea air was the first indication that they were close to Paz. Bright eyes observed the trees until the forest broke and Paz stood in sight, with the ocean just beyond. A smile found her lips. The last time she had been in Paz was when they left Bravia. Together, her large family sailed across the sea and landed in Athena, Fenia.
The carriage pulled off the main road onto a smaller, less traveled path. After a slightly bumpier ride, the carriage came upon a large home. In true Bravian fashion, the home had a deep red clay tiled roof and the base of the home was lighter in colour to combat the summer heat. Large trees provided shade onto the home and around the home, with many flowers in full bloom on the property. Colourful shutters were opened at each window, with an equally colourful door beckoning guests. With all the colour around, the two vardos in view did not seem unusually placed. She recognized one as her brother’s, but the other was unfamiliar to her, which was odd. The explanation she thought of was simple: someone was visiting from another Kumpania of the Natsia. She wondered who it could be when the carriage came to a full halt.
Thea got out first and helped the pregnant woman step out of the carriage. The nanny followed, holding their child. Aileigh’s spirits were high. Her smile only grew when she saw two red haired children running towards them, from seemingly out of nowhere. As they squealed her name, the six year old twins seemed to pay Thea no mind. She knelt down and opened her arms to greet her niece and nephew. Yara was a healthy, growing young girl. By comparison, her brother still remained thinner and sicker in complexion. One could expect Nox to be the larger one, but he was living on borrowed time. There was no telling what the future held for the young Sanchari boy. In the meantime, they all just enjoyed having him in their lives and showered him with love.
Aileigh laid a kiss atop both their fiery heads before standing back up.
“Yara, Nox, you two remember my wife, Thea, and our son, Zevander, don’t you?” Nox shrugged, but Yara moved up to Thea confidently. They had only met Thea once, at the wedding several months ago. Aileigh watched Yara as she told Thea she liked her short hair. Her compliment was followed by a grin.
“Race you!” The challenge was issued to her twin before shadows swallowed her up. A few meters away, shadows reconvened and the seven year old stood, taunting her other half. Nox returned the taunt before disappearing himself. After that, both remained unseen in their race. They were a strange pair to be sure, but they also reminded her of her twin brothers, one of which was the young twins’ father. There was a bond there she could never understand and would never have.
“Mom really did find a beautiful spot.” She murmured, looking around. The way the sun bounced off the sea beckoned her, but instead she began to approach the front door. The door was already open and as they got closer, a woman stepped into sight. Aileigh’s expression softened with a bit of surprise as she realized it was her great grandmother standing there. Aileigh had not grown up with the wise woman's guidance, but she had spent some time in and out of the Barri Vitsa to get to know Maraah and learn from her. Her aunt, Morjiana, was still her primary mentor, teaching her how to hone and use her gifts. But, Maraah offered something different - a part of her mother's past that no one else could really provide.
"Puridaia.." She murmured softly when she got close. Maraah smiled warmly to her namesake.
"Devlesa avilan." The elderly woman welcomed them warmly, parting from the door to let them in.
"Devlesa araklam tume." Aileigh responded to the traditional greeting without thinking. As they stepped into the coolness of the home, she motioned to her little family, who Maraah had yet to meet.
"This is my lovely wife, Dorathea, though she prefers Thea. And this is our son, Zevander."
There was a feeling of pride as she introduced her family to her great grandmother. While the truth behind their marriage had nothing to do with love, the months since their wedding became a life she had begun to like. It was boring and lonely at times, especially so far from her mothers, but she was no stranger to isolation. At least this time, she had friends to keep her occupied.
"Zev will be getting baptized when these two do." Aileigh patted the top of the "planet" hidden beneath her dress.
"Thea, this is my great grandmother, Maraah. She's the wise woman of our people, a very esteemed role in our community.
I was not expecting you to be here." Aileigh admitted.
"I brought your mother into this world, and while I was unable to do so with you, I should very much like to do so for my great grandchildren." It was a rare moment of the reminder that Aileigh was not the only one who had missed out on much. Maraah had been kept from them for so long, for so much. Now that the Natsia was united under Aishe's crown, Aileigh realized that she should expect Maraah's presence at major events.
"I'm glad you'll be here." The appreciation was genuine.
"I will show you to the room you're staying in." Aileigh tried to protest, but Maraah led them from the foyer and up the stairs. The first door on the right of the stairs was open and waiting.
"This room connects to another. When I was pregnant, your grandfather had to sleep in a tent. I could not get comfortable enough to share a bed."
Bright eyes met each other. Aileigh was suspicious of what her grandmother may have suspected, or even knew. It was moments like this she was very glad the Sanchari gift was dwindled down to them and Morjiana. Perhaps the comment was meaningless, but she had a hard time believing that.
"Indeed, thank you for the consideration. Carrying twins makes a bed seem very small."
Following her gratitude, Maraah excused herself to let them settle in. Aileigh lingered in the hall for a moment, looking around. Where were her mothers? And whose vardo was that outside? She knew it was not her grandmother's, which she would recognize. Curiosity eating at her, she went into the room and immediately fell back onto the bed with a sigh.
"Feels good to be done with the carriage," said the Romany princess, who grew up in a stone home instead of a wagon on wheels.
1st Rom -- Devlesa avilan (dev-LAY-sah AH-veel-an) -- "It is God who brought you".
2nd Rom -- Devlesa araklam tume (dev-LAY-sah ahr-AHK-lam TOO-may) -- "It is with God that I found you".