The Truth

Hellebore ~*nervously sits with his daughter Noel , his hands are sweating , his heart beating so quickly in his chest , he starts slightly when he feels a gentle touch on his hand *

Noel~*looks at her father with such concern , her voice soft * it’s ok Father , I’m ready to hear.

Hellebore~*looks at her , with such love , she makes his heart feel light , but , he is so afraid that she will hate him when he tells her , having her in his life once more has meant everything to him, he cannot lose that , but he must tell her all the things he has done , he cannot lose her , he will not survive without her , his heart will shatter , he pats her hand gently and smiles at her , saying gratefully * Thank you my dear Noel , I will now tell you , everything you need to know and things that must be told

Noel~*touches his hand , smoothing her tiny fingers over it , she feels such a nervous energy coming from him , why is he so afraid , she cannot understand *

Hellebore ~*smiles gently at her and takes a deep breath , then begins * Years ago , I met and married a woman , her name was Anju, she was my everything at that time , never believing someone could fall in Love with me , I knew of my many faults , but she did not , but she learned quickly , I told her of my emotional instabilities , I told her the horrible thing that I did years ago *he dare not look at his daughter , he is afraid , but he must tell her *

Noel~*sees his discomfort and senses his inner struggle , with a very gentle , quiet voice speaks to him * it’s alright Father

Hellebore ~*feels tears burning his eyes , he looks at Noel and with tears dripping from his eyes says in a voice aching with the heartache he has felt all these many years, his voice shaking with deep soul wrenching emotions , he has to choke out the words* I… Killed our people … all of them … in a fit of blind rage … *he looks so devastated , as if the entire world were pressing down on his very weakened shoulders *

Noel~*hears his words , sees his heartache and feels it deep inside her very soul, as if she has known about it always , she moves closer to him ,reaches up with her small hand , gently she touches his face , her voice soft and quiet * It’s alright Father , that time is past , you cannot change it .

Hellebore~*looks at Noel , he cannot believe she did not run, she did not scream , instead she is trying to understand , his heart feels a warmth he has not felt in many years , but he has not told her everything , he must continue, he pats her hand and continues * that is not the only bad thing I have done my child , for one day , a happy day ,the day your mother was born , was the happiest day for me , the day I became a father for the first time, I felt the luckiest man in the world , things were well for many years , I saw in your mother , a strength even as a small child , the kind of strength that could make her the mother of her people one day, the thought would not leave my mind , it became a mania , something that I must see done , I began to teach her everything I knew , I taught her how to make safe places to hide , I taught her how to use her powers , she became stronger every lesson , then the day came when I would ask her to do something , some would say it was a despicable thing to ask of a young lady , even more so a daughter , but my intentions were good , she would be the Mother of her people if she would agree to this , she could help me bring back a people who did not deserve to be wiped from the earth , she would lead them to be a strong people , a kind people , something I have never been able to be …. *he stops and with a shaking hand wipes his eyes with a handkerchief , he is almost overcome by emotion remembering the day*

Noel~*looks so concerned , with wrinkled brows and gentle urging she asks * what did you ask of her father ?!

Hellebore~*hears her strength , she deserves to know this , he pulls himself together enough and tells her gently * That is the day , I asked her to make you my dear Noel

Noel~*thinks carefully about his words , then realization comes into her eyes , she looks at him , she is silent for several moments before speaking, her words well beyond her years *… it was a necessary union …. *she moves close to him and snuggles against him , speaking softly once again *… it was right …

Hellebore~*he looks at her dumbfounded for several moments , he realizes , she is not upset with him , she understands , he feels so undeserving of this wonderful being in his arms , she is as intelligent as her mother *

Noel~*her eyes gaze up at him and asks softly * Where is my mother ? *its something she has longed to know , as much as she longed to see her father *

Hellebore~*holds her close , answers her softly , gently and honestly * I do not know

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Hmmm I wonder 🤔 could Nadia still be alive somewhere then?!?!? We shall hopefully see soon …

*****Also as a side note : these two had someone “guarding “ them both , since for now Hellebore is not allowed to be alone with his daughter ^^