Chapter Text
~O~
Finlay was awake before she was.
Malenia mumbled against her pillow that smelled distinctly like her beloved; she didn't want to leave the bed that morning; she was quite content to take in her scent, relax here under the sheets, feel them against her skin. She was not prepared to welcome the day and what those of Ordina would expect of her.
How many days? Months?
Miquella had vanished since and Malenia had no thoughts to her future. She had never had to think of it before without his guidance.
A few maidens were stepping into her chambers, along with Finlay. She mumbled with irritation when they worked to help her out of bed, speaking with such reassurance that she would do well, but such were the words of such devotion. Finlay smiled down at her, dressed in golden morning robes and having been cleaned properly for the day. Malenia looked up at her, admiring her in all her beauty, even the gruesome markings on her face that served as a reminder of what Miquella had done to her. She looked amused by Malenia's condition and the Demigod shook her head with disapproval as the maidens moved to fit her prosthesis to her shoulder.
"Yes, laugh if you must." she drawled. "But I did not expect to awaken to these women tending to me with the ferocity of a pack of wolves."
"And you complain?" Finlay laughed, shrugging her shoulders. "They are young, after all. It is a woman's dream to be touched by many young women."
Malenia didn't enjoy those jokes. Finlay made them more lately.
"You know how I feel about those jokes, Finlay..." she said, with a frown.
Finlay chuckled, shaking her head without much concern to it. Malenia's frown smoothed out when she watched Finlay kneel before her. She rolled her eyes, unable to stay too frustrated with her when she looked up at her with such a precious pout on her face.
She ran her hand through her hair and Finlay closed her eyes, humming contentedly as she rested her chin on her knees.
It had been a time since they'd grown closer again. It felt timid most of the time throughout the passing days, but Finlay had gradually grown in confidence around her. It was a bit of a sting to think of the possibility that some of those memories would never return completely. Then again, she thought of the terrible ones that Finlay had endured, the suffering that came with them. Maybe it was for the best.
"How are you feeling?" Malenia wanted to know.
"A little tired," Finlay admitted, "Oh! Don't worry, I was up all night making something for us. Morrigan helped me. Come!"
Malenia blinked, surprised and amused when she took her hand and led her from their chambers. She was laughing a little, lighter now that Finlay was happy enough to take her from her darker thoughts.
It smelled good in the room they entered.
Morrigan was cooking at a counter and looked over her shoulder, grinning back at them. "Well, look at her royal majesty coming down from on high to mingle with the common folk!" she teased.
"Morrigan..." Finlay warned.
Morrigan laughed and brought forth a pot.
"You seem to be in good spirits." Malenia said, suspiciously. She paused. "Wait, what sort of mischief have you done now?"
Morrigan looked around rather surreptitiously. "What? Nothing." She grinned far too wide. "Just...if Loretta asks, I did nothing."
"I'm not lying to your wife."
"It's not lying if you don't technically know what I did."
"So you DID do something!"
Finlay pulled out Malenia's chair, shaking her head with disapproval and Malenia took her seat, smiling up at her.
"What a charming woman you are," she said, feeling her heart skip a beat at Finlay's little smile on her face.
Morrigan pointed at the dishes laid out on the table. "I have a roast rabbit if you like your wee food fit for a baby bear," she joked, "Finlay helped make this roast here," She pointed at each one as she listed it. "Mead made by me, you're welcome by the way. Fruit from Loretta's garden."
"MORRIGAN!" Loretta suddenly shouted from outside.
Morrigan immediately shifted into her bear form with an animal grunt and rushed out of the building, nearly taking out a statue in the process. Finlay watched her go, shook her head with a laugh of amusement before pointing after her. Malenia watched as well, almost amused by the way Morrigan had rushed off in her animal form.
Oh, yes. Malenia had forgotten that Loretta took up gardening. It was hard for her to keep track of everyone as of late. Her mind was full of distractions.
The scent of spices, beef and vegetables made her mouth water. Finlay was learning how to cook dishes and doing quite a good job of it. She was proud to see her trying to connect with everyone and remember things her mind had lost.
"I learned a few new recipes." Finlay continued. "I was going to see Clara later. We're working on helping me with my memories. They're still a little..." She rubbed her forehead with one hand, wincing somewhat. "...splintered in my head. But I have been remembering certain parts of my days as a knight."
Malenia didn't argue with that. At least Finlay was getting something out of it, learning what it meant to be a knight again, the people in her life. Still, she found herself worried nonetheless; of the memories she would finally connect with, and the lives lost in her path. Would she even want to remember them?
Malenia looked down at the roast pork, peppered with spices and vegetables. Finlay had done well for this meal. She would not disappoint her and leave her waiting.
It was good. She liked it.
The peace was nice.
O
Malenia found that walking through Ordina helped a little.
The cold morning air cleared her senses, helped keep her wits sharpened as she made her way through the city. It had grown in just a few months, new groups of Albinaurics come from all around.
It was a nice, lovely change, really. She began to wonder what Miquella would have thought had he been here to witness the growth.
Casting her gaze toward the Haligtree, Malenia also began to wonder what would grow in place of her blood. The tree had not changed much, the Rot having faded slowly; bit by bit, little by little with all the care of those around her. People had begun to rebuild it in time. She should have been proud, but there was a hollow feeling that came with it.
Clara was walking with Finlay near one of the statues of Miquella; a shrine they'd made in his image, bearing a smile of love and adoration for those who worshipped him.
Her last memory of Miquella was of him departing, leaving her in her own tears.
Would he ever come back?
Finlay seemed to believe he would. Of course she did.
Her innocence had been far more prevalent here with the loss of her memories. Malenia found herself adoring it more with every day that passed.
Loretta was approaching her now, carrying a scroll in hand. She offered it to her and Malenia tilted her head curiously.
"What is this?" she asked.
"The Lord of Volcano Manor extends an invitation," Loretta informed her. "The anniversary of his marriage to Lady Tanith. He wishes for the presence of Miquella."
She said this carefully, with much hesitation as if she anticipated an abrupt reaction at the mention of the name. Malenia understood that. Loretta didn't enjoy bringing it up any more than she did. She knew when to stay silent about the matter as it was still a subject of hurt for many.
"Miquella is not here," Malenia said, with much effort. "And I am not one to engage in any matters such as these."
"He expects it." Loretta said, evenly. "I do not enjoy it any more than you, Malenia. But I believe Miquella would want us to engage."
Malenia sighed impatiently. She did not really see eye-to-eye with Rykard and rarely engaged with him. Miquella had always been one to find diplomacy amongst the Lord of Blasphemy. Malenia had kept her distance often times because of her stomach churning when he spoke of things regarding serpents.
Still, this was a quiet time in the Lands Between.
"I suppose if I must..." Malenia sighed, rolling her eyes. "My brother had often been so much better at these things than I."
Loretta chuckled a little at that. "Lord Miquella had always known the right way to speak to others, especially Lord Rykard."
"Well," Malenia made a face. "If he could afford to speak to them with such peace, perhaps I can learn to do the same."
"That's the spirit." Loretta laughed.
Malenia turned to go, then stopped and looked at the other woman with a thoughtful note. "You should take up more gardening, Loretta. It seems to suit your mood."
Loretta blinked, then smiled. "Thank you."
Malenia made her way back to her chambers and she found Finlay with her back to her, watching the city from the window. She approached, slipped her arms around her waist, kissed the back of her neck and Finlay murmured contentedly at the contact. She was admiring the view, tilted her head forward only for a second to enjoy the kiss.
"Stay here tonight," Malenia encouraged, lightly teasing her lips against Finlay's. "We have a trip to make to Volcano Manor and I would relish your company."
Finlay made a soft note in her throat and parted her lips to accept the next kiss against them. She smiled and nodded, reaching up to cup Malenia's cheek.
"Alright," she said, "Mmm, you make it hard to say no."
Malenia chuckled against her cheek, rubbing her nose against the outline of her jaw. "Thank you."
"Wait, why are we going to Volcano Manor?"
Malenia sighed against her neck. "Rykard wishes to have Miquella there for his anniversary." she explained. "And what I understand about Volcano Manor traditions, it will surely be a sordid affair."
Finlay made a curious sound. "I've never been to a party like that before. It could be fun."
"You don't know Rykard like I do..."
Finlay shook her head. "Maybe not. But at least we'll be there together, right?"
Malenia raised her eyebrows. "You wish to go with me?"
"I wish to go everywhere with you."
Malenia couldn't help but blush deeply at that. She was mortified by her reaction and thankful Finlay did not see it.
"Oh, I wanted to tell you something," Finlay continued.
"Yes? What is it?" Malenia asked, a bit taken when the knight turned around to face her. "Is everything alright?"
She couldn't help but always be anxious about these things; Finlay always seemed fine, her face never changing despite Clara's worry. The scars would always be a reminder of the curse that Miquella had put on her and not a single soul could explain it to her.
"Yes, everything's fine," Finlay laughed gently. "I just had a breakthrough with Clara. About my memories."
"Oh." Malenia felt herself smiling. "What sort of breakthrough?"
"A smell."
"A what?" Malenia tilted her head.
"I remember the smell of chipped wood and mint," Finlay told her, with a little laugh. "I remember when Clara first came to me, to train under my command. I remember she smelled distinctly like chipped wood and mint from her mother's cloak."
Malenia smiled, a hollow feeling coming to her. "I see. That's lovely to hear, Finlay. I'm glad of it."
Finlay beamed with pride at that.
"Come, my lovely knight," Malenia took her hand to lead her from the door. "We can worry about the visit later."
Finlay laughed at the name her eyes flickered with sadness for a second. "Lovely. It's nice but...you know that's not true..."
Malenia knew that Finlay still disliked the marks on her face when she looked at herself. In truth, some had found it a little worrying and kept their distance from her. If Finlay realized it was happening, she rarely made any indication that it had bothered her.
Until now.
"It is true, Finlay," Malenia said, gently. She hesitated naming her consort tonight. She had been doing that far too often. "Come to bed. Let me show you how lovely you are."
"I'm not, I just..." Finlay trailed off, shut her eyes briefly before she rapidly shook her head and laughed softly. "I'm sorry, Malenia. I shouldn't think about that. Not when you're being so generous."
Malenia chuckled softly. "Yes, and I intend to be generous for the rest of the day, should you enjoy it."
O
Malenia kissed every little scar on Finlay's sweaty, bare shoulder.
Finlay shivered at the contact and Malenia's eyes fell to the scars on her chest; white patches that had all but faded, but still carried reminders of what had happened when those blades had been driven into them.
For a second, she thought about when she found her broken and bloody like that and quickly shook away that memory.
It was in the past.
It had to stay there.
She wouldn't think of it.
"I'm covered in sweat," Finlay suddenly spoke, with a contented laugh.
Malenia grinned against her cheek, savoring the warm dampness of their bodies for a moment. "Do you complain?"
Finlay laughed and shook her head. "No. Not when you were quite giving."
Malenia traced her human fingers across Finlay's skin and the knight crossed her arms in front of her, resting her chin against them before closing her eyes. Malenia admired her every detail, every little gesture and savored all the moments she shared. It was true, Finlay was getting older and she knew she would have the courage to name her consort soon.
"Would you like to clean up?" Malenia questioned.
"Perhaps. But I'm quite comfortable."
"Would you like me to carry you, then?"
Finlay gave a yelp, laughing as the Demigod scooped her up in her arms. She instinctively wrapped her arms around her neck and the endearing, sweet look on her face melted away Malenia's doubts of anything.
Her standing in Ordina and the Haligtree, her place amongst them, her future. Finlay was all that mattered to her.
Whatever future came next, she would be ready to name her consort and they would be together forever.