[Rosekitten]

He didn't have much to say though he had been trying to put forth a front of acting like his usual self.. it was failing by now. How was he suppose to react to her.. five years was a lot of time things happened and changed it wasn't something that abnormal. He was trying to keep his mind occupied with other things instead of what he wanted to ask her, getting into a conversation of how she was and everything seemed a be none of his business.

He was about to turn down her offer on a place to stay but Abel caught this one faster then he could get the first word out. "Sure we'd love to, i'll be able to get to my home town once it's morning" He said with a polite smile before elbowing Rhyldrin to the side. "besides this keeps you out of the bar" He said slightly under his breath just to avoid the children hearing it. 'tsk.. what are you my mother now?' he hissed to Abel giving up on trying to fight this now. Abel smiled a little at his comments hardly affected by then by how long they had been putting up with the group they had. Returning his attention to Judith he bowed his head to her "Thank you, in advanced I'm sure I'll say it a few more times before I leave" He wasn't like most light elves who seemed a little uppity he was one of the ones raised on the outer city limits in the country side.

After they started heading in the direction of Judith's home she started to mention about Vrine, he sort of laughed a little weakly thinking about it "Heh.. I'm sure he'd gotten big from when I was last here." He had to admit he had missed the dragon too it wasn't like he was alone during this whole time but it wasn't the same as having a over sized cat either. Abel looked at Rhyldrin oddly before asking the question "Whats a Vrine.... or shouldn't I ask... then again knowing you I'm not sure you want to know." Rhyldrin never said a word as he grinned a little "You'll find out.. im sure he's hardly grown shy over the years" He almost feared how big the dragon got they were hardly weak creatures ... guessing he'd be about the size of a dog that could easily knock down anyone here as far as a young dragon is concerned.

[gremlin]

"I made some stew earlier, I will heat it up when we get there for you two. I have learned to cook quite well living with these two." it was rather dark in the forest. Too dark for anyone to be out here right now, even in the daytime it wasn't that bright outside. That's why Judith liked it, her house was surrounded by trees and wild life. It was quiet during the day and at night besides the guard that would come by to check up on her. Not many people went in to the forest other than to travel and it was a quick walk to the capital to get whatever she needed and to bring her children to school. Judith sewed for the capital, it had been a talent she discovered when Sophie kept ruining her clothes. She also found some time to teach the children to read and write.

Judith's home was a good size to raise a family in. When she stepped inside she was was the living room. It was a big open area with multiple places to sit and a big fire place. Across from the living room was the guest room. Though it was also considered a play room for the children since a majority of the guests who slept over were her children's friends. There was a dog bed in front of the fire place because Vrine enjoyed it's warmth. Some toys were scatted around. Usually wherever Vrine was Vaden was as well, he loved the dragon. Sometimes Judith was catch him trying to play with Vrine in the middle of the night. Vrine would also sometimes be found sleeping in Vaden's bed. There was a long, wide hallway that led to the other areas of the home. At the end on the right was a semi-large kitchen before the kitchen was the bathroom. Across from the kitchen was Judith's room, across from the bathroom was the children's room. It was warm and comfortable in the house.

When Judith opened the door Sophie and Vaden ran in immediately and to their rooms. "That's right!" she yelled at them as they ran. "Get into your beds and stay there!" she was about to threaten them jokingly but decided not to, Sophie would probably be smart. She stepped in living the door open for the two men then removed her sweater and hung it on a hook. "I apologize in advance if the guest room is untidy, we also use it as a play room and a majority of the guests who sleep over are my children's friends." Judith wandered down the hall way and in to the kitchen, she began to prepare some food for the two. "Vrine is somewhere, he might be sleeping."

[Rosekitten]

It was a good sized house to just be in the forest, he had to admit he was impressed. Though he still had no idea of who the children were related to or even how she managed to get this little set up she had here. "Oh no no I'm sure it's fine!" Abel said suddenly as she said sorry if the room was a mess. "It'll be better then sleeping outside heh..." he looked at Rhyldrin who seemed oddly quiet or lost in thoughts "Though im sure he'd disagree with me" Though he still didn't get a reply from him even with that.

Though he was about to quickly be jarred out of his thoughts as a streak suddenly darted through the room and slammed into Rhyldrin and a sudden shriek. Vrine cooed and nuzzled trying to get attention from Rhyldrin though he probably had winded him in the process. "What the hell is that!" Abel stood a little awkward as he took a few steps from where he had been. Rhyldrin finally did get the dragon to calm down before breathing out trying to regain his wind, not expecting that. "That is a dragon pup.... though I see it still acts the same" Vrine was still trying to nuzzle against Rhyldrin's face but he was making him stop to try and calm him down. "Your too big for this you know.." Vrine snorted staying in his lap for the moment.

"d... dragon... riight..... you forgot to mention that.." Abel was almost in aw by this, dragons weren't common let alone one that had managed to get this size. "Is there anything else I should be expecting before I let my guard down again? No griffins or anything..." He looked to Judith hoping that she wasn't like Rhyldrin and forgot to mention information.

After a few moments he shoved Vrine off of him before standing again, though the dragon hardly left him alone. "I'm going to step out.. just a moment" He needed some air really, the fight from earlier was still working on him, though Vrine followed him outside not willing to leave his side for the time being. Abel watched him before shrugging a little "you don't really have to worry about fixing anything for us, a bed for the night is more then plenty." He didn't mean to really be rude and turn down her offer but truth was he doubted Rhyldrin was in a mood to eat and he wasn't really starved himself. He started to go to the guest room after asking her to make sure of where it was but he stopped a moment "just if your going to be up watch him, he pushes himself more then he should" He gave her a sort of worried smile before returning to his walk to the room.

Vrine had curled up at his side calming down a bit by now. Though really he didn't want to be here he knew better then to just go off into the forest not at this time of night. Sure it was nice to know she was doing well all these years but what was he suppose to say to her he couldn't just treat her like he did all the years ago could he? That wouldn't be right or fair not when he wasn't planning to stick around. The night air wasn't helping his mind anything he had hoped it would.

[gremlin]

"Rhyldrin?" Judith had stopped herself from heating up the food when Abel had gone into the guest room. When she heard someone step outside she knew that it was Rhyldrin. Well, she had hoped that it was him and not Sophie again. She stood behind him playing nervously with the strings of her dress unsure if she should sit next to him or not. "You don't look too well." she said softly and placed a hand on his shoulder gently. "Are you alright?" she asked looking down at him.

Vrine lifted his head and placed it on Rhyldrin's lap. He looked at up him and cooed for attention. The dragon's tail was flicking back and forth restlessly. "Vrine, you always want attention. You never know when to stop." Judith let out a heavy sigh and decided to sit next to Rhyldrin. She brought a hand to Vrine's head and began to pet him gently. "There's something that I have to tell you, Rhyldrin." she said quietly, Judith felt uneasy.

[Rosekitten]

He flinched a little when she touched his shoulder, whatever he had on his mind was drawing more of his attention then he thought. "I'm fine.. you worry too much" He said with a slight laugh, though he wasn't fine if he had to fight another one of the creatures they had encountered before getting this far. Maybe his luck would hold out until then he didn't want to tell her there was a side effect to over using energy.

He didn't give into the dragon's cooing as easily as she did though he would if he had kept it up. "Least that hasn't changed" He said sort of absentmindedly, though it was true though so much had changed from when he was last here... he wasn't even sure how to handle all of it. After she sat down and started giving Vrine what he wanted she spoke. Though it wasn't something he wanted to hear really not with how he had been over thinking on everything from when he had first seen her. He could take a good guess of what she was about to tell him though he'd be wrong by a long shot. "well.. out with it. Dragging it on isn't going to make what you have to say any easier and you know i'd rather you just tell me something then for you to beat around the bush." Sure he was being a little blunt but that's what he had told her in the past even as kids he hated it when someone tried to explain things and touched all around the topic but never on it.

Something seemed wrong though, he could tell it by the way she was acting now and her voice.. what was she scared of let alone why was it tied to what she had to tell him. He shifted a little to look at her seeing as she didn't speak right away. "you brought it up.. so please just tell me." He sighed a little maybe he had been too harsh on her a moment ago and scared her more. "Whatever it is I promise I'm not going to hate you... I can't, I probably shouldn't even be saying this but I thought about how you were everyday I just hoped that you found whatever you wanted to have a happy life." he sighed again before leaning his head against the wall of the house again. 'I shouldn't have said that...tsk stupid now is not a time to be weak' he scolded at himself knowing he had let his mind get the better of him. "Sorry..." He said before falling silent again, he wasn't sure what he was really sorry for but it was a combination of everything really.

[gremlin]

"I thought about you too," Judith said and continued to pet Vrine. "It was impossible not to think about you." Judith brought her hand away from Vrine's head and the dragon raised his head confused as to why she had stopped so abruptly. "I didn't marry Bryon, I couldn't marry a man that I didn't love." Judith thought that she might as well tell him everyone, why not? "You probably know that because he is married to another woman now. If you haven't heard, he wasn't mad that I didn't give him my hand in marriage." Judith looked over her shoulder making sure that her children weren't ease-dropping. She also didn't want Abel to her. "If you're wondering about the house, well, he built it for me as a gift when I found out that I was expecting. I thought that I was having one child but then I ended up having two." she smiled. "Sophie is a bit of a trouble maker as you can see but Vaden is very timid and quiet. They're really good kids."

Judith looked towards the forest, the forest was swaying back and forth as the wind blew. When she looked up the sky was clouded over and dark. She chewed on her lip nervously for a moment before she continued to speak. "I didn't marry," she said to him, her body felt hot as she was getting to the point of this conversation. "I never slept with anyone else." she looked up at Rhyldrin but she was afraid to see his reaction. "Rhyldrin, you're their father." Judith almost forgot to breath as she watched him.

[Rosekitten]

Really he hadn't heard, sure he heard the tale that the king married but he didn't look into it he had set it out of his mind thinking for sure it was her. But after they crossed here he knew that wasn't the case the king would never send her to live in the forest that much was certain. "Heh.. I didn't know... really I avoided any news from this area if I got the chance to." Sure it seemed a little .. you could say selfish to not want to know what went on in the very area you were raised in but he didn't want to know. Not at the thought he'd see her name somewhere in the reports of the happenings in the area. But he kept most of what he was thinking to himself letting her go on in her speech. It was easy to notice what she had told him about both children right away he had noticed the girl was a little spark even for her age.

Though he was about to question her what happened then if she didn't marry anyone or sleep with anyone. He had a fear maybe she was raped or someone took advantage of her but that was quickly shoved to the side with her next sentence. He was expecting something .. but that wasn't what he was expecting it rather caught him off guard. Though after thinking on it he should have noticed something was different about the children they weren't light elves at least not pure bloods. He almost felt like a idiot he never noticed it until she said something to him just now.

He finally did look at her with almost a worried expression as he moved to sit in front of her and put both hands on her shoulders "Why then why didn't you tell me? That was .. that's been five years ago you never sent word or anything." Was it something he had done before he left did he push her away that much when he told her he was leaving... Sure he never planned on having kids but then again all this time he had accepted that he'd never be able to be with her either. His shoulder sank a little as he removed his hands from her shoulders and letting them lazily lay at his sides. "i could have been here at least I would have dropped everything that I was doing in the south to come back here."

Sure he could guess why she never sent word, at the time she was expecting the idea of a cross race couple was still on shaky grounds.. but she had dealt with it all alone. Was she scared he's reject her or something if he knew.. He finally looked at her again "when were you going to tell me.. if i never crossed back through here... " He had to ask.. he needed to know did he make a mistake even coming to the area surely if she didn't want him to know she wouldn't have bothered telling him now but why did she wait till now.

Did he still end up ruining her life even without being here, was that it had she hated him for the first few years. surely if her parents knew then that wouldn't be something they were proud of. Vrine had moved off of his lap as he sat to the side watching the two, the emotions the dragon was getting from the two seemed to confuse him but it kept him from begging for attention at the least.

[gremlin]

Judith jumped when she felt Rhyldrin take a hold of her shoulders. "I would have told you eventually," her words became more quiet towards the end. To be honest Judith didn't know if she would have ever told Rhyldrin that he was the father of her children. She had no intention of interrupting his training so if she had never ran into him then he probably would have never found out. It had been tough to raise two children on her own but she managed. Judith was thankful that she had two healthy children and a safe home. "I didn't want you to come back, I knew that you were training and that you would come see me if I asked but I didn't want that. I didn't want to be a burden."

Judith's parents didn't really like the idea that she had given birth to two half-breeds. It was mostly her father who disliked it, her mother was a bit more open but she still didn't full accept it either. It was difficult for two people who spent their entire lives hating Dark Elves to accept that Dark Elf blood had been mixed with Light Elf blood. Judith had visited them once or twice a week, allowing them to see their grandchildren but when her father began making comments it made her uncomfortable and she refused to return. She had noticed that he gave Vaden much more attention, she heard him complaining about Sophie's red eyes. He couldn't bring himself to look at her.

The other's didn't seem to mind, the people who lived in the capital or most travellers. Over the five years Judith had noticed more Dark Elves around the capital, Bryon had also began inviting the queen to their yearly festival to celebrate the day that peace began between the Dark and Light Elves. Eventually after another decade or so it would be even more acceptable, Judith looked forward to those days. Some Light Elves still hated the Dark Elves, but it was mostly elders who did. They had grown up hating Dark Elves and would probably die hating them.

"I'm sorry," she said and let out a heavy sigh. Judith didn't really know what to say to Rhyldrin. She felt the overwhelming need to apologize. "I should have told you, I should have gone to you when my belly was the size of the moon," she laughed trying to make things better. "I should have told you when I found out, not five years later."

[Rosekitten]

She was right really he would have dropped the training to come back to her, he wouldn't have cared though at the same time it might have come in handy one day but still he didn't want her to think that she would have been bothering him by any means. After she had finally stopped stalking again saying sorry and everything to him he sighed before shaking his head and suddenly grabbing her and pulling her close to him. "you'll never be a burden.. I've told you that countless times.. silly"

After a moment he did release her, he wasn't sure he should have done that really what if she didn't want him around if she had dealt with things up until now what if she liked it that way. "You have nothing to be sorry for.. I should be saying sorry I left if i had just stuck around a little longer." He had gotten the feeling she wouldn't have told him if they didn't cross paths, really he couldn't blame her why bother trying to find someone who lived day to day without knowing if they'd make it through the next mission they took.

He didn't know how to ask what he was about to but he needed to do it. Really he wasn't sure if he was even cut out for this, his parents had been great as far as he could remember but he didn't live with them long or rather never had the chance to.. what if he wasn't good enough. "So what do you want to do then..." He finally asked her before explaining it a bit further. "If you want me to leave I will." He didn't want to really even if she didn't have kids he didn't want to not again the whole point of him leaving in the first place was to allow her to find a life that she was happy with and that could very well could be without him around he had accepted that. Tat and he wanted to get to the point where he could protect her without nearly killing himself even if it was against all odds he wanted to be able to.

Vrine stayed silent as he watched the two of them for a moment the dragon had gotten excited but the emotions from the two seemed to flux again as the dragon watched to see what was going to happen. Really the more Rhyldrin though about it this was unfair to even think he should be allowed to stick around, he wasn't there for the past five years.

[gremlin]

"I don't want you to leave," Judith said and looked at him. She wondered what would make him think that maybe not telling him about her pregnancy had been far worse than she thought. "I never wanted you to leave even five years ago when it still wasn't acceptable for us to be together." she wondered how their life would have been if he had stayed. Would she even have this home? Judith hesitated for a moment then finally spoke again. "You can stay here if you want to, my feelings for you haven't changed. Even if you have been gone for five years they have grown stronger." she had had his children after all. "Please, don't think that I would ever want you to leave. I love you, Rhyldrin." a familiar feeling found it's way to Judith, her stomach felt as if it were knotted. "I've always loved you."

Judith jumped when she heard the floor creak behind them. Vaden had came out from his bed and to the front door, he looked at his mother then at Rhyldrin then back to her. "Mommy?" he said quietly, he seemed nervous. Vaden hugged a stuffed bear to his chest. "I had a nightmare." Judith reached out her arms and the boy went in to them. She turned bringing him to sit on her lap and held him close. "There were monsters chasing me!" the boy said, he sounded scared and buried his face in to his mother's warmth. "Don't worry, you can sleep in my bed." she whispered as she ran her fingers through his hair. "It was just a nightmare so don't worry about it. Was Sophie filling your head with scary stories again?" Judith sighed as Vaden nodded.

Judith had fallen silent with the new company, it wasn't the right time to tell Vaden that Rhyldrin was his father. She would wait until tomorrow morning, she had hoped that he didn't hear their conversation. Though Vaden wasn't one to ease-drop if he did hear anything it would have been unintentionally. Judith was worried that maybe his sister was up as well ease-dropping, when one woke the other shortly followed. "Is your sister up as well?" she asked Vaden as she continued to gently play with his hair. When he didn't answer her question or move she looked down and saw that he had fallen asleep in her arms. "Poor thing," she said and looked up at Rhyldrin. "He has been having nightmares lately." she smiled at Rhyldrin.

[Rosekitten]

He listened to her really he was glad that she didn't want him to leave but he had tossed it out as a option knowing it was her choice really. He seemed to think on his answer before speaking though after a moment he figured he had unintentionally become indebted to the king of the light elves during his absence.. he could take a good guess that's who was behind her having a house out here. "I know you didn't.. I didn't really want to leave back then but I thought at the time it was for the best." He doubted his own choice now, if he had stayed.. he would have figured out some way to provide for her even if it meant he'd have risked his life more then he normally did he would have still done it.

He was about to say something but the sudden creak made him fall silent again and probably for the best seeing as it was one of the children. He just sort of listened to the little conversation between the two of them. Really he was still trying to grasp at the fact that he hadn't lost anything even though he had prepared himself for it.. he should have wrote her or something over the years maybe he would have found out sooner or at least he could have put his doubts aside.

Once she spoke again when the boy was asleep he thought about what she had said. "only recently?" he seemed to question her, was there a chance the child knew about the creatures in the forest? No that couldn't be it, it was probably just a coincidence. Or least that's what he thought sure it wasn't uncommon for a child to have nightmares... he was probably over thinking once again. He needed to remember he still had something him and Abel had to finish tomorrow morning.. there was still one of the creatures reported running lose in the forest.

[gremlin]

Judith raised an eyebrow when he asked her. "Yes, only recently." she said and looked back down at Vaden. "There have been a few times where he has screamed. It takes a very long time to calm him because I think he's still half asleep when I go to him." she brushed some hair from his face and frowned, she was very worried about him. "He will sit up for a few minutes just screaming, it's horrible. I don't even know why this is happening and he always tells me the same thing. He was being chased by monsters." she looked up at Rhyldrin as if maybe he had an answer for Vaden's nightmares.

Vrine lifted his head and let out a high-pitch whine. Judith looked at him and smiled. "Vrine has been acting odd as well, sometimes when I open the door he will just run out on to the porch and stand there. He doesn't even make any noises or move, he just stares out in to the forest." Judith looked at Rhyldrin and let out a sigh. "I know that there are creatures that live in the forest but usually Vrine will just scare them off though I don't know what it is that he's looking for, maybe he hears something that I don't." Judith stood slowly from where she sat, Vrine began to get up himself. "You should rest," she told Rhyldrin, he looked tired and hearing that he was the father of her children probably didn't help. "I would ask if you wanted to sleep in my bed but I have this little one with me tonight and that means Vrine will want to come up on to the bed as well." Vrine cooed as if he knew what Judith was saying. She didn't allow the dragon in to the bed but he became so persistent when Vaden slept with her that she allowed it. "I also don't want your friend to go looking for you."

Judith walked quietly to the front door and waited for Rhyldrin to follow when he did she closed the door behind her and locked it. Judith gave Rhyldrin a quick kiss on the cheek then walked to her room. Vrine bumped his head against Rhyldrin's leg then followed Judith. Once in her room Judith climbed in to her bed, she brought Vaden close to her and without a thought Vrine jumped up on to the bed and had claimed his spot. "Don't get comfortable there," she said to him. Vrine snorted then closed his eyes.

---

Judith had woken up early to make sure that her two guests were fed. Vrine was sitting beside her waiting for any food to be dropped. He licked his lips watching as Judith cooked bacon. She looked down at him and shook her head. "I fed you, I'm not giving you anything." she said then brought her attention back to cooking. Sophie laughed at Vrine and looked up at her mother. "But look at how cute he is!" she cried and wrapped her arms around Vrine hugging him. "Sophie, please set the table and cut up the fruit." Judith had gone out earlier to get fresh fruit and meat. Sophie sighed heavily and returned to what she had been asked to do. Vaden was still sleeping in her bed, he had woken up again from nightmares and she decided not to bother him until the food was ready.

When Judith was done she walked to the guest room and knocked on the door. "I made breakfast," she yelled in a friendly manner. "You can't travel without anything in your stomach so come get some." she added then walked away. Judith then went to her room and woke up Vaden. The boy resisted getting up until his mother mentioned bacon, the boy sprung from the bed and to his seat at the table. Everything was put out neatly, there was beans, bacon, eggs, sausages and hash browns. Judith had also made some juice and had bought milk earlier when she had gone out. "Sophie!" she yelled as she entered the kitchen. Sophie was slipping Vrine a piece of bacon. "Stop giving him things or he will never learn not to beg!" she looked at her daughter annoyed that she did everything that she told her not to. Judith sat next to Sophie and began to fill her plate. "I'm going to have to sit next to you all the time now," she said and looked down at her daughter. "I can't trust you not to do things." Sophie rolled her eyes, she thought that her mother was too controlling.

[Rosekitten]

He nodded a little though he did notice the look she gave him seeing if he had a answer he didn't at the moment. "it could be that he sense the creatures we were told to get rid of" He left it at that for the moment he didn't need to explain to her what the creatures were they weren't really even living beasts anymore they were twisted forms that necromancers had created ages ago. "I wouldn't worry about it though.. We took care of one today before we hit the forest, there should only be one more in this area and finding it should be fairly easy with a cleric here." He wasn't going to say why that made it easy, she'd probably want to kick Abel out if he told her the things were drawn to holy magic as their opposing force.

He wasn't looking forward to facing another one of the creatures this soon, the first one nearly cause the group of three a problem but with just two now he was a little worried.. and he knew Abel wasn't the strongest support by far. "It'll be taken care of tomorrow, if that's the cause if the appearance of the dark creatures then he shouldn't have anymore nightmares" There was no real proof it was the cause but the two seemed to fit together so maybe it was, though it could just be a over active imagination of a child as well.

Really he hadn't thought about even sleeping with her, so it didn't seem to bother him at all. Once he got to the guest bedroom he shut the door behind him with a heavy sigh before he noticed that Abel was awake with the door opening. "something wrong?" Rhyldrin didn't say anything at first but nodded "heh.. just one more right?" Abel thought a moment and said yeah but he questioned him "Is it that bad then? I can go get Jagen if you can't handle it and don't go saying some shit like you can handle it if you can't. What would I tell the circle mages if you died only a few days after we were dismissed."

Rhyldrin waved him off before flopping on the other bed, sure Abel could tell there was something else on his mind but he wasn't about to try and pry, Rhlydrin was famous for not talking so prying would get him no where.

~~~~~~~~~~

Abel wasn't long before he walked out and he had half forced Rhyldrin out the door with him. "yeah yeah complain all you want you should be use to mornings by now" Rhyldrin seemed hardly amused, though he did catch Vrine begging for scraps as he glared at the dragon "Now I know I taught you better then that" He scolded it, though his scold seemed to have more affect then Judith's as the dragon hissed at him before walking away from the table and pouting in a corner. He wasn't really trying to be mean to the dragon but it'd never stop otherwise and he knew that from the few years he had it as a hatchling.

Abel seemed almost in aw at what Judith had cooked for breakfast as he thanked her again "I hope we're not being a burden on you, I know he's a burden on his own but I don't want to intrude." He had made a gesture towards Rhyldrin who seemed to be watching the window as if he expected something. Abel frowned a little taking notice that his partner seemed to have no intent on eating as he walked over and elbowed him. 'your being a bit rude don't you think.. even if the other one shows up what are you going to do without energy..'

Rhyldrin shrugged him off before replying 'well if i eat it's not going to do any good now is it, i'll end up sick form it.' Abel sighed before returning to try and entertain Judith a little before she questioned what they were talking about or what was wrong with Rhyldrin. "Don't mind him, he's just being grumpy, Dark elves eh" He shrugged a little with a slight laugh, though it was easy to tell he was trying to cover up more then just his dislike of the morning.

[gremlin]

"You're not being a burden at all, I enjoy cooking." she said and smiled. Judith began to take some food for her own plate but stopped as she noticed Rhyldrin wasn't coming to the table. "Don't pretend that you're not hungry," she wondered if he thought she was treating him like a child. Though she was only bothering him to eat because she cared. "You need to eat because if you don't then you won't have any energy to do anything." she smiled at Rhyldrin waiting for him to come take a seat but when he didn't move at all she returned to serving herself. "It's alright, you don't have to apologize for anything."

"Can I be excused?" Sophie asked, she slammed her glass on the table then looked at her mother waiting for her to say yes. Judith turned her head slowly, giving the girl an unamused look. "Why are you so loud?" she asked. Was I this loud when I was a child? she asked herself. "What if I said no?" Judith said, her eyes still on her daughter. "I would get up anyways." Sophie smiled at her mother. It was true she would and usually Sophie wouldn't even ask to be excused she would finish her meal, take seconds then run outside to play. At least she was trying to behave because she had gotten in trouble last night. "Yes you can be excused and you can play outside but don't go any further than the yard-" Sophie bolted from the table while Judith was still talking. "Young lady you better not go further than the yard!" she yelled at her daughter. Though she wasn't sure if the girl had heard, she was already in the yard. "I'm glad that both of you aren't like that," she said and looked at Vaden. The boy laughed and then continued to eat.

When everyone was done Judith began to clean up, she piled the dishes together, preparing them for when she would clean them late. "Can I go outside, too?" Vaden asked his mother, Judith nodded and ruffled his hair playfully. The boy ran outside to join his sister. Judith sighed, taking a moment to herself. Her eyes wandered over the kitchen then she realised something. Where was Vrine? "Where did Vrine go?" she asked aloud. She looked at the two men then around. It was unusual for the dragon not to be near when there were left overs. "I didn't even hear him get up." she mumbled and walked to the back door. Judith swung it open and poked her head out. Vrine was sitting on the porch. Judith thought at first that he was watching the children as they played but then she noticed that his eyes were not following them. "Vrine?" she approached the dragon then placed a hand gently on his head and the dragon let out a hiss, Judith drew back her hand immediately. "What the hell is wrong with you lately?" she asked, Judith looked up and her eyes ran across the trees. What was he looking at?

[Rosekitten]

Abel sighed a little knowing he couldn't explain why Rhyldrin wasn't eating it was a sort of side affect but he normally ended up being fine in the end of it all. "He'll do what he wants, I wouldn't bother wasting too much of your breath trying to convince him otherwise.. though it seemed like you both knew one another so I'm sure you knew that already" He smiled a little though it wasn't very convincing, he knew why Rhyldrin was watching outside.

Abel was in the process of taking his own plate up with Judith outside, he guessed checking on the odd pet the family here had. Though something caught his attention as he drew back a little before placing the plate down and looking to Rhyldrin. "we need to move.. now" Rhyldrin nodded before moving from his spot almost the same time a loud ear wrenching screech was heard near by the house. Abel stood next to where Judith was and Vrine stood from his spot and growled suddenly as a large creature started making it's way towards this direction, though it was still off about a yard.

"Rhyldrin!" Abel yelled but he already noticed the dark elf had bolted past him. "You can't fight it alone!" He called after him before he started to take a step but stopped, the job was to protect any civilians... "damn it..." He looked to Judith before explaining to her what to do "Get your kids and now, we'll take care of this" He started to take off after Rhyldrin but he needed to make sure that the three here was safe so he stayed behind a few feet.

The beast noticed it was being targeted as it stopped and hissed suddenly before opening both mouths and unleashing a bombardment of spit balls. Though none of them managed to hit Rhydrin. Abel had finally managed to catch up to him by this point as he breathed heavily. "How the hell do you run like that... you can't fight it not after yesterday.. " He breathed out.

"We don't have a choice now do we.. you can't kill it and Jagen's not here.. " He frowned a little before drawing both blades from his back, one he kept to his side while the other he pointed directly at the beast as both blades seemed to instantly burst into flame. "I'm planning on living now make your choice... either you back me up or go make sure that Judith and her children stay safe."

Abel sighed before drawing a symbol in the air as a barrier of sorts surrounded both of them then he drew the mace and shield that he had on him. "Well.. i guess we go then heh I know how you are im hardly going to stand in your way." He laughed weakly before yelling after Rhyldrin who had already moved after the barrier was in place, it could take a few hits but that was about it.. but that's all he needed it for. "Your damn insane!"

Vrine stayed in front of Judith not that the dragon could do anything if the beast got this far but it was still following the order it was given to protect Judith, and that now included the two children. Abel backed up a bit from the beast knowing that Rhyldrin wasn't going to need much more then what he had already done, and really that was all the support he could give him in this fight without really getting in his way or canceling out whatever his plans were. "calm down little dragon he'll be fine.. I think" he said the last part under his breath though he only spoke after he heard the dragon growling was almost right behind him.

About the time Abel had said he'd be ok Rhyldrin ended up misjudging a swipe as the beast slammed him into a tree with it's full force. "Tsk.. stop struggling.. you'll join your master soon" He hissed at the creature, he was talking about the fact there were very few necromancers left and the ones who made these abominations were long gone. Righting himself once again he made sure to watch the tail a bit more then he had the last time, this was easier with three people that was for sure.

[gremlin]

Judith didn't even need to scream at her children to come inside of the house. She leaned down and they ran into her arms for safety. Judith let out a heavy breath when their bodies collided with hers, she wrapped her arms around them tightly then disappeared into the house. "Hide under your beds and don't come out until I come back or one of the others," she whispered to them. Judith kissed both of them on the forehead quickly then hurried them into their room. "Please Sophie, listen to me this time. I wouldn't know what to do if I loss you or your brother." she said, Judith watched for a moment making sure that they hid then she closed their bedroom door behind it.

It was an odd feeling that overcame Judith and what she was thinking was a little bit silly. She walked to her room and began to change into something more proper for fighting. She would only trip over herself wearing this damn dress. Judith slipped on a pair of trousers, they hung from her waist. Then she slipped on an almost over-sized blouse. She slipped her feet into a pair of boots and quickly tired them up then grabbed her bow. What am I thinking? she let out a heavy sigh. It's been so long since I used the damn thing. She almost looked at her bow as if it were a foreign object. She wrapped a belt around her waist and hung her pouch of arrows on it. As she stepped outside she tied her hair up into a messy bun.

"I'll help as much as I can," she said and smiled at Abel. "I may be a bit rusty but I started training with the bow with I was ten." Judith had continued training for a bit but after she had Sophie and Vaden she stopped. She had used it a few times for fun afterwards but she had not trained seriously for five years. Judith stepped down from the porch and examined the creature. She had seen other things in the forest before but nothing quite like this. "What is that thing?" she asked and looked back at Abel.