Bend my ear

Eltrys could practically see Lucette's sense of trepidation like a cloak and hood over her minuscule frame. He leaned back and pressed himself onto his elbows, to keep her from craning her neck at him. He was about to ask how she was faring when she wasted no time in presenting what weighed heavily on her heart.

He nodded along with her, sagely agreeing that yes, it had felt at first like they were hiding. He nodded when he heard of Bae-syls pledge of loyalty to Bellamy and in turn to Haydee.

He let her question hang in the air as he gathered his carefully formulated thoughts. Bringing forward the promise Bellamy asked of him to aid Haydee in anyway she needed.

He drew in breath and let a hopefully comforting warm smile crease his lips.

"Bellamy wished this pack to be a sanctuary for her family. Where they could feel safe and protected. Where her progeny will carry her name and deepen the roots she started here. Many moons ago she asked if I would aid Haydee in any way I could. I told her that if Haydee asks it of me I would without hesitation." He sighed and glanced away for a moment, "I do not wish to change you, or the heart of what this pack was intended for, to protect you and yours Lucette. That is my goal. No matter what name we carry, what banner we hold, I aim to hold these lands in Bellamy's name and protect her bloodline. As such..." He glanced back up again, his glacial eyes resting over her summer greens, "She has the same eyes as you... I call Haydee beloved..." He let those words sit in the air for a moment for her to parse the meaning of it, "I hope to marry Haydee, when she is ready. As for what I intend for this pack, I intend to breathe new life into it. To make it a quiet refuge where ex-slaves can find healing and purpose. I do not intend to partake in many if any offensive raids and instead be a pylon of peace. The name Ethne was unfortunately soured in the mouths of others but I do not intend to hide, I intend for the pack to be reborn. Bae-syl, Gavroche, and I can not defend our borders alone. I cannot protect you and your kin with hardly any fighters to do so. So I must bring in a few more fresh bodies and inspire them to join us without them fearing the sins of the past. So, I intend to change the name again, to Vedia, meaning spirit of the forest or sanctuary. I don't intend to change anyone's way of life, beliefs, or way of being. I intend to protect the helpless and defend the defenseless as long as they are within our borders. I hope to inspire a new sect of Druids but that won't be forced upon anyone if they don't choose it. Besides, not much should change in your day to day. I hope to give a chance to our Norad guests to join us if they choose...."

He tilted his head to her, measuring her reaction. "So how does that sound to you? Am I off the mark in some capacity or have I read the situation properly? I appreciate your honesty."


"Speech!"