[Orual]

Arethin stared at the bag of money for a long moment, just standing there with it in his hand. This would be more than enough to support his mother and brother for a long while, and then his brother was of an age where he could begin to work. He could go with the company, now, he could go and search for this book. After he broke out of his thoughts he stared after Anuion, watching the Elf's retreating back. Why had he done this?

And what would Arethin do now? His father had taught him never to accept a gift without giving one in return. What could he possibly give Anuion that would be of equal value? This would allow Arethin to go on this journey without qualms, and by going on the journey he would be able to find a cure for his mother. What could Arethin do to repay him?

"I'll find something," he thought, shaking his head. "There will be something while we're searching, there will be something that I can do to repay him. There must be."

His conscience cleared, there remained only one obstacle: Avaran.

*************************

This wasn't going to be fun at all, for either of them. Avaran had been Arethin's father-figure since his real father's death, and this was a fine way to pay him back for those years of care!

Arethin approached the older man hesitantly. "Sir?" he said quietly, tapping Avaran on the shoulder. The merchant turned around, his friendly broad face smiling.

"Arethin! Glad you're back." Avaran smiled again, then it faded as he looked at Arethin's troubled face. "What's wrong, son?"

Arethin flinched at the title. "Can I talk to you for a moment?" he asked.

Avaran nodded and quickly took his leave of the trader with whom he was talking, and took Arethin aside. They went to a pavilion where benches and tables were set up for customers to sit and eat. "So talk," Avaran said, making himself comfortable.

Arethin sat straight and stiff. "Well, sir, you know my mother's been very sick lately--"

"Is she all right? I mean, she didn't...she..." Avaran's face was alarmed and it had that quality that said that he was ready to be sympathetic if the worst came.

"No, sir, she's as well as she ever is." Avaran relaxed. "But I was listening to the storyteller today, and he told of a book with ancient cures in it, and--"

"And you want to find it?" Arethin startled, then nodded a little sheepishly. Avaran's face was skeptical and a little disappointed. "You believe this story?"

"I've found several companions who also believe it," Arethin insisted, a little ashamed at stretching the truth. He didn't know if they really believed it; he only knew that Jadae did. "We'll find the book and come back, and I'll be right back to work, sir."

"Arethin, I know that I can't stop you. This involves your mother, and the Lords of the West themselves couldn't interfere when you have your mind set like this. Really, I'm glad you told me, but I don't think that it's a good idea, this quest. You ought to stay here. It's all nonsense."

"I really don't think so, sir," Arethin said, leaning on the table. "I think that it's the truth. And I think that this can help my mother."

"Son, do what you think is best," Avaran said with a heavy sigh. "Eru knows you'll do it anyway."

Arethin sighed, fumbled with a few words, then spit it out. "Sir, I won't go without your blessing," he said. He stared intently at his employer.

There was a long silence. Avaran looked at the table for a while, and Arethin grew steadily more and more anxious. The air itself seemed thick with anticipation. Would Avaran actually tell him no? If he did, then Arethin had given his word that he wouldn't go. But this was something that he really believed in, he truly believed that a cure for his mother could be found in this book. The seconds ticked by like millennia, and finally Avaran looked back up. "You really believe in this, don't you, Arethin?" he asked quietly.

The young worker nodded slowly, his face solemn. "I do, sir."

"Then go. You have my blessing. Just come back in one piece, if you can help it." Arethin felt like a huge weight had been lifted off of his shoulders, and the old man smiled at him. He slapped Arethin on the back. "Just come back in one piece."

[ January 31, 2003: Message edited by: Orual ]