Pure Moonlight (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"Really?" Luna asked, a little stunned that Karn had found someone that made him happy. "Who is it? Surely I know them."

She had always really liked Karn. However, her love for him was more like her love for her brother. He was a fine healer and a good man. Whoever he ended up with would be very lucky indeed. It also closed the last door she might have had standing between herself and Jan.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm sure you do. He's our friendly local blacksmith," Karn told her with a slightly sheepish smile. Petu and Karn had always been close as brothers, but they'd grown to be something more as they aged. Luna always found them together when one was off work.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Petu?" Luna asked, slightly stunned but very happy for her two friends. "He told me that we weren't meant to be because I was like his sister. He never once mentioned that he was interested in you."

She reached out and took his hand, giving it a squeeze. "That news makes me very happy, Karn. I worried about how our friendship might be effected when I decided that Jan was the one that I was meant to be with."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I won't say I'm not a little disappointed, but I think you'll be happier with Jan and I'll be just as happy and comfortable with the man who's been by my side all my life. Before you know it, we'll be getting out little families together."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I have a long road to go before that point." Luna confessed as Karn told her that he was slightly disappointed. "My ma most definitely would have preferred that I chose you over Jan, but it's hard to tell your heart no sometimes. I know who my mate is meant to be."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I know, Luna. We're healers. Half our job is to understand that the heart is entirely independent of what our family or our head wants. But Jan is a good man and proving his good intentions to everyone. His willingness to give up everything for you is proof enough to me."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm glad that people are starting to see that he is a good person. It broke my heart when you told me that you had seen him around town with other women. I know it might have been innocent fun, but it still hurt." Luna said softly, squeezing Karn's hand again. "He swears that he's through with that though. I believe him."

 

[KieranSoares]

"So do I. And I think maybe one day, your mother might just agree." Karn wasn't especially close with the rest of Luna's family, but he did often talk to them and it was common knowledge that Selena was the most against Jan and Luna's relationship. For the most part, Kreston let Luna go her own way, and though Ruben was much more critical than his father, he too stayed out of it.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Well...I'm happy that at least you and your blacksmith will have an easy time of this whole messy mate business." Luna said with a genuine smile. "And you'll always have a supporter in me. No matter what."

 

[KieranSoares]

"And I appreciate that. You know Petu and I will support you too. Jan's become something of a troublesome little brother to us, and you've always been our sister." Karn leaned in to kiss her cheek.

 

[heartofcourage]

Luna smiled and hugged her friend tightly, happy that he had found that person that completed him. She knew in time she would be sharing those times with Jan and hopefully her family would come to see him the same way that she did.

Across the village, Arin was doing her best to help her father with their garden. She was pulling vegetables and putting them in a basket, moving slowly but still trying to pull her weight. Since Telma had moved out, the garden was her responsibility now.

"Da?" Arin asked in her soft way. "Can I talk to you about something?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"You know you can talk to me about anything, Arin," he stood up straight to face her and dusted off his hands and trousers. "What is it, love?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"I heard you talking to Luna earlier." Arin said softly as he father straightened and looked at her. "I know you worry about me. Sometimes...the world around me gets to be too much and it gets hard to handle. That's why I hide."

She had never really had an honest conversation with her father as to why she was so shy. She was simply sensitive and could be overwhelmed very easily. It was odd for a wolf, especially one that lived within a pack and had a twin, but it wasn't unheard of.

"But...well, I want you and Mama to be proud of me. I won't ever be like Norr or Telma, but I still want you both to be proud of me." She murmured softly, gathering all of her strength to have this talk with her father.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Little cub," Ghell murmured with a smile, coming to her side to kiss her forehead and hug her close as he had all her life. "We are proud of you, Arin. We're proud of all of you, but for different reasons."

 

[heartofcourage]

Arin hugged her father tightly, her face buried against his familiar warm fur. "I also heard Luna talk about the healers in Ireland. Maybe we should ask them to come. My leg doesn't bother me much any more but maybe they could do something to help. I can work extra hard to help pay for them to come."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You don't need to exhaust yourself, Arin. I'm going to send for them. They're kind people who don't charge much. They only ask for meals and a safe place to sleep, but I'll make sure they get something more for their trouble."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I want to pay, Da." She murmured softly, knowing that her parents could easily afford the fee but needing to show that she was growing up and could be responsible as well. "It's just something I need to do. I'll work on the gardens of our neighbors until I have enough."

 

[KieranSoares]

Ghell shook his head with a sigh, but relented. "Shy as you are, you're stubborn as your mother. Alright... But we're still helping you."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm only stubborn when I need to be, Da." Arin said with a slight smile on her lips as she hugged her father tightly. "Thank you, Da. I know other men would probably never give me the chance to just be myself."

 

[KieranSoares]

"They would if they know what's good for them when it's my little girl," Ghell assured her. "But the man who treats you like a queen is the man you should keep."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You don't have to worry about that, Da. I'm too scared." She said with a slight smile on her lips. "I don't think there's anyone out there for me and that's just fine."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Just don't shy away from the possibility if it comes your way. Who knows, you might find someone who makes you feel brave." Ghell kissed her forehead and turned back to his work. "A handsome fellow, maybe. With the most beautiful eyes you'll ever see. You'll know if and when you find him."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Da." Arin said with a slightly embarrassed tone to her voice. "I don't even want to think about someone like that. Mama always said that she knew she loved you because you would dance with her. Perhaps I should just find someone who enjoys dancing. Then all of my worries will be over."

 

[KieranSoares]

"What's good for your mother may not be good for you, Arin. Perhaps you need someone to be your voice, or someone who loves to garden." Ghell gave her another smile. "He won't be me."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Well, perhaps one day I'll simply stumble upon my mate." Arin said as she shared a smile with her father and then turned to continue tending to the garden. "Until then, I'll just have to keep you and Ma company. I wouldn't want either of you to have too much time alone."