Chapter 79. The Choice

endaran sat on the steps that led down to the garden as he held his daughter in his arms like a bouquet of flowers. Her clumsy little hands tugged at his chin as she smiled up at him for the first time.  He melted, utterly and profoundly in love with her, the most beautiful thing he could imagine.  He lowered his face to nuzzle her, reveling in her sweet smell and her softness as he kissed her downy forehead.  Teleri smiled and leaned against him, laughing as Sabina managed to clasp the end of her nose.

“She’s got your foxy hair,” Teleri murmured, “and she might have green eyes.”

“But she has your loveliness and I think her daddy is going to be powerless before the two of you.”

“Good, because I’ve decided you’re not going anywhere and Sabina quite agrees, don’t you darling?”

“No ganging up on me so early in the game,” Pendaran demurred, chuckling when Sabina replied with a gurgle of delight, “Yes, your mommy is very unfair.”

“Pen?”

He met Teleri’s gaze and he felt the grief that lurked beneath her exquisite joy.

“Please, I’m serious this time.  I want you to stay with me and be a father to my children.”

He lowered his gaze, giving Sabina his fingers which she latched onto with delightful strength for such tiny hands.  He felt Shikai’s gaze upon him and looked up across the garden to where she stood beside a bed of silvery lavender and deep green calendula.  Her kohl rimmed eyes pleaded with him.  He alone had the power to find Zhou.

Naturally, as soon as he was able, Pendaran had meditated upon his master, seeking him across the ether through their powerful bond.  Zhou was alive, of this he had no doubt, but he would not open himself to Pendaran nor indicate what had befallen him.  Three weeks passed during which Pendaran focused upon resting and recovering.  Spring was in full bloom, the balmy days warm and soothing after the horror of Torment and the sadness of all that had come to pass.  Once more Pendaran tried to reach out to his master, thinking perhaps he may have been too weak the prior time to obtain useful information.  But once more, Zhou had gently held him at bay and he knew only that his master would not be coming home.

Shikai must have known the answer, for she turned away with a rustle of beads and bangles, her long black hair gleaming with blue highlights in the golden sunlight.  She seemed lost without Zhou, seldom speaking now and spending nearly all of her time in the garden or down beside the sea.

“I’m sorry,” he thought, though he knew she could not hear him, “but I have to think about my family now.  I have done so much harm to my Teleri and she deserves better.  I know you understand that.  Zhou would understand.”

He missed his master and prayed he was happy wherever he was.  Some day he was certain they would meet again. Until then, he had earned a rest and a little joy, and he was looking forward to watching his children blossom. 

Teleri sought his lips, reading in the adoring gaze he cast upon Sabina what his answer would be.  He yielded to her, losing himself to the sweetness of her kiss.  When he opened his eyes to gaze upon the garden once more, Shikai was gone.

~ Thus ends The Hand of Tasos. ~