What Needs To Be Said

Ellis waited, trying to brace herself, her heart, for the explosion that was to come. Her ears would flick back, the words stinging. It wasn't as if she had forgotten the family on purpose. It wasn't as if she chose to. Of course they were important. The words weren't fair, yet, to Ellis, she felt the blame and guilt as if it was somehow her fault. The healer would lower her gaze, feeling her heart ache with each word. Heartache was something the female knew well, too well. She would swallow hard. She couldn't justify Othello taking in more children. She couldn't give Mercy a reason why her mother had done it. But she hurt the children. She hurt Othello. Ellis let out a whine, squeezing her eyes closed.

The small healer felt her breath catch in her throat. It felt like her chest was caving in. Even now there were only bits and pieces... her memory just fragments. She hated that... but it was her fault. It was her fault she had lost it. Her fault the families were so broken. Ellis swallowed hard, forcing her eyes to open. Tears filled them, but she could make out the figure of the girl on the ground. She was crying as well, no, sobbing as she lay curled in a ball. The female shuddered, a memory coming back. The reason she was even more determined to keep a stock of herbs. Ellis would tremble as she came to the girl's side. If she lashed out... Ellis would not stop her.

"Mercy... you know... your mother almost died giving birth to you... to your brother. It was hard on her. I was there... with your father's sister. Your mother was weak after that... still recovering. She needed herbs to keep up her strength. I wanted herbs for you children as well, to make sure you stayed strong... that no more innocent lives were lost." Her words were torn with emotion. "I never wanted to hurt any of you, Mercy... I loved all of you. You were the only family I had here... and there is nothing I regret more than losing it. I'm sorry... I really, really am." Ellis would gently press her nose to the girl's shoulder.