The People We Are

Chapter XXVIII; Xayah

Xayah woke up that morning as she always did. She got out of bed and got dressed, fed the frogs and tadpoles, and went out to her porch. After Arlie's death she'd built this cabin by herself, and chose this spot so that she could watch the water go by but still be in Faormen. Watching water go by reminded Xayah of Arlie, as it had been a huge part of their time together as teenagers. She hummed the tune they danced to thirty years ago, but stopped before she got to the end. Though she'd had these abilities for thirty-five years, she still didn't understand them fully. Once she knew the exact location of Cordelia she went to her, but she had refused to advise her. After her lackluster warnings to True Queen, Cordelia had refused to advise or prophesize to anyone. Xayah was disappointed, but understood. If Cordelia had warned Anastasia further, perhaps Arlie wouldn't have died, or Ideus. Perhaps she could have made them all remember, and live the life they all wanted to live those thirty-five years ago.

That wasn't too long ago.
But to Xayah, it was a repeated day she'd followed for many, many years.
She thought it would never be as vivid for them as it was for her and Ideus.
But now, she watched as her brother made it vivid for all of them by himself.

    Xayah folded the letter and put it back in her satchel, still crying. "It'll be alright, Xayah. You'll see her again, I know it." Ideus said in an attempt to comfort her. She wiped the tears from her face, trying to collect herself before going back to the group. They began to walk with the rest of the group, though still keeping to themselves. "I'm going to miss her so much. And she won't even know! I mean, we barely knew each other's names. How could I ever see her again? You'd be the one going there and the one she speaks to if she ever came to Faormen."
    Ideus did his best to calm her down, and they consoled each other from having to leave their girlfriends behind with no memory of them. They spoke of how both their relationships started and grew, and of the plans they made but could never complete now. All Xayah had left of Arlie was her letter, but Ideus had nothing of Anastasia. They talked and talked, and it was a true bonding experience for the two of them.
    They finally returned to Faormen and Xayah was so happy to finally be home. She unfolded the letter and set it up on her dresser, then realized people could see it. She heard footsteps coming down the hall, so she folded it and stuffed it up her sleeve. Her father rushed in, throwing the door wide open. "It's happening! Get the midwife, I'm going back to your mother." he yelled before running away.
    Xayah ran around the castle looking for the midwife, but couldn't find her. She came across the butler that was her husband and asked him where she was. "Didn't you know? She died after that first attack. One of those weird tall men killed her. I thought you'd all know..." he said sternly after walking away. Xayah ran back to her mother's room, unsure of what to do now.
    "Where's the midwife?" her father asked. "If she is not here!" her mother exclaimed, hearing this. "The midwife has passed. How did you two not know this?" Xayah asked, rushing to her mother's side. "What do we do now!" her father asked. "Why are you asking me!" her mother yelled. Ideus rushed in. "What's going on! Oh, where's the midwife?" he asked once he was in. "Dead!" all three of them yelled at the same time. Ideus' eyes widened, also unsure of what to do. "Didn't she have an apprentice?" Xayah asked. "That's right, her niece, wasn't it?" her father asked. "You're right!" Ideus exclaimed. "I'll go find her. You two stay here. I love you mom." she said, bending down and kissing her forehead and handing her hand to her brother. Xayah ran out through the castle and out into the streets.
Oh, what was her name? Ellenor? Ellie? Elenor? Elora! It was Elora! She thought as she entered town. "Elora! Midwife apprentice Elora! We need you!" She called over and over. She saw a young couple sitting on a bench as she called out the name. When she said it once more, the girl of the couple looked over to her and began to run to her while her boyfriend ran behind her. "Princess Xayah? What's going on?" she ran up to her. "Are you Elora?" she asked, and she nodded. "My mother's gone into labor. And as you know, your aunt isn't here to help. Please, help us." she begged. Elora nodded, and they, along with her boyfriend, ran to Elora's aunt's house and collected the supplies they needed and headed to the castle. They heard the screams as they drew close to the room, and Xayah's family was more than grateful to see them. They all came in, and they either comforted Xayah's mother or prepared for the birth.
    "Alright, everyone but the father out!" Elora yelled after a few hours. Xayah, Ideus and Elora's boyfriend all went out of the room, but stayed close. "I guess I should introduce myself. I'm Bader, Elora's boyfriend." he told them, bowing to each of them. He and Elora were only two years older than Ideus, three years older than Xayah. Bader and Ideus seemed to hit it off, and Xayah began to walk around the halls. Eventually, they heard the cry of a baby, and Xayah peered in. Elora wiped sweat from her brow as they all looked at the baby girl; Anabelle. Xayah's mother passed Xayah the baby, right before she began to scream again. "It's twins!" Elora yelled again. "Everyone out!" she yelled over Xayah's mother. Anabelle began to cry at the screams, and as she ran out Xayah did her best to comfort her.
    Soon after, Anthony was born. Xayah handed Annabelle to Ideus as she picked up her little brother. They sat down as their mother fell asleep, father thanked Elora, and Bader packed up her things for her. "I was only one when you were born, but I remember holding you for the first time. You never cried, not until you were a few months old." Ideus told her. They looked at each other in understanding, then switched babies. Xayah looked down to her baby sister, whom she'd wanted for so long. Annabelle fell asleep in her arms, and Xayah looked around at her family. They were the only family that had fully remained in-tacked after "the treaty incident". "We're lucky, Annabelle. You know that, and I'll let you remember that." she whispered to the sleeping child.