Wage War *Obi x OC* (COMPLETE)

Not Arowen Anymore

Obi--

I give Arowen some space after she excuses herself from the table to freshen up before we leave. I can only imagine the thoughts going through her mind. I don't know much about her family dynamic beyond her brief story of why she ran away. I wait awhile before getting to my feet to check on her. She finally comes out of the room and my eyes widen. She doesn't look like Arowen anymore, not the Arowen I'm used to anyway. She looks almost like she did when I first met her, only not dirty and more sleep deprived. I'm not sure where she got it, but she's dressed in a dark, blood red dress and her hair is brushed neatly with small braids pulling back the pieces framing her face. She looks so... not like herself. This is almost what she'd look like if she hadn't left home. If she never left and I had taken the job to kill her parents, there's a chance that I would have killed her too if she interfered. I tear my gaze away and ask if she's ready to go.

As we slowly get closer to her childhood home, I can feel her tension and unease growing, so I take her hand. We hadn't really spoken much since we left because I could see how lost in thought she was.

"Thank you for convincing me to go." She whispers softly.

"No problem, Darling. I just don't want you to regret not seeing him."

"Obi," She glances up at me, "what is the story with your family? You never mentioned them."

"I uh- Well there's not really much to say about them... My father let before my sister was born and shortly after that our mother got hooked on opium and tried to sell my sister so I took her from the home and here I am today."

It's the short version of it anyway.

"I'm so sorry... What happened to your sister?"

"I have no idea. I had to leave her in the care of an elderly couple so she'd be safe but they passed away and she disappeared."

"I'm sure she's safe and happy wherever she is." Her soft smile makes me smile too, though I have my doubts that Anyala is still alive.

"What's the situation with your parents? I know you ran away but what were they like?"

"Mum killed herself when I was five. Father was wonderful up until shortly after that... Our bond crumbled. He met Opalia when I was seven and they married rather quickly. Father grew more distant and allowed Opalia to torture and beat me."

"She sounds terrible. Can I kill her?"

"Maybe someday." At least I was able to make her laugh, just a little.

"You know, if you want to stay and inherit the estate, that's fine. I'll support you in whatever you want to do in your life, no matter what."

"Thank you, but that's not going to happen. The target on my head is too much to allow that to happen even if I wanted it- O-oh... We're here."

Arowen seems unable to move as she stares at the sprawling manor in front of us. It's a beautiful estate, no doubt about it, but it feels so cold compared to some of the homes I've seen. Even the cottage where the little girl died felt more like a home than this. I squeeze her hand lightly before pulling her into a tight hug.

"If you don't want to go farther than this, that's fine. If you want to wait a while, that's fine too. We can stay here until you're ready."

"Thank you." She whispers as she buries her face in my shoulder. "Will you come with me?"

I tense automatically. "Uh, do you think that's a good idea? I mean seven or so months ago I broke in and tried to kill them..."

"I doubt they remember you. It was dark and you didn't really get to get close to them before I stopped you."

"If that woman comes after you, can I step in?" I ask hopefully but she sighs and shakes her head.

"If any harm comes to Opalia, I want it to be by my hand."

"Also, I know I gave you shit when I found out your real name is Molliene, but I take it back. At least you weren't named Opalia. Her parents must have hated her as much as I do."

"Oh shut up." She chuckles before pulling away. "Let's go on before I chicken out and go home instead."

I stand awkwardly behind Arowen as she stares up at the large ornately carved door separating us from her past. She keeps bringing her hand up as if to knock but it starts to tremble and she drops it again. I press a kiss to the top of her head and she sighs before gathering her courage to rap her knuckles on the door finally. The door swings open a few seconds later to reveal an elderly man in rather plain clothes compared to the finery we're surrounded by. He doesn't seem to notice me but focuses on her in mild confusion before his eyes widen.

"Miss Molliene? It's been years."

"I know, I'm sorry to have been gone for so long, Henrel, but I heard of Father's health. I'd like to see him."

"No, no, now is not a good time."

"I mean, he's dying. It's never going to be a good time. I'm going to see him."

"You can't." He tells her before stepping in the way.

"You need to move. She's going to see him regardless of what you or anyone else says." I cut in.

"But you can't, it's-"

I step around Arowen and do my best to be gentle as I move him aside so she can go inside. I follow behind her despite the old man's protests and I stay close to her as she leads me up the stairs to a large set of wooden double doors. She stops short of them and stares at them.

"You've made it this far, Love, you can do it."