Michrinor: The Fates of The Heirs

Chapter 47 - Mamaw Belinda

Ava pulled into the gravel driveway of her grandmother's old farmhouse, the tires crunching beneath her car as she came to a stop. The place hadn't changed much since she was a kid—the same weathered porch, the same towering oak tree that had shaded her during long summer afternoons. It was a place that had always felt like a sanctuary, a place where the weight of the world seemed a little lighter. Today, more than ever, she needed that sense of peace.

As she stepped out of the car, the familiar smell of fresh-cut grass and blooming flowers filled the air. Ava took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She hadn't been here in a while, caught up in the whirlwind of her life as a social worker, but something had drawn her back to Mamaw Belinda's doorstep. She wasn't entirely sure what she was looking for—guidance, maybe, or just the comfort of being near the one person who had always understood her.

Belinda was waiting for her on the porch, a warm smile on her face. Her white hair was neatly pinned up, and her eyes twinkled with the same kindness Ava had always known. She opened her arms wide as Ava approached, pulling her into a tight hug that made everything else melt away, if only for a moment.

"Hey there, sweet girl," Belinda said, her voice filled with the gentle warmth that Ava had missed. "It's been too long."

"Yeah, it has," Ava replied, her voice muffled against her grandmother's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Mamaw. I should've come sooner."

Belinda pulled back, holding Ava at arm's length and studying her with a knowing gaze. "You're here now, and that's what matters. Come on inside. I've got some tea brewing, and we can catch up."

Ava followed her grandmother into the house, the familiar creak of the old wooden floors beneath her feet bringing back a flood of memories. The kitchen was just as she remembered it—cozy, filled with the scent of herbs and spices, with the sun streaming in through the lace curtains. Belinda poured two cups of tea and motioned for Ava to sit at the small table by the window.

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, sipping their tea, before Belinda spoke. "Something's on your mind, isn't it, Ava? You don't need to say it—I can see it in your eyes."

Ava hesitated, unsure of how to put her thoughts into words. "I've just been thinking a lot about... everything, I guess. My life, my work, where I'm headed. I don't know. I feel like I'm at a crossroads, and I don't know which way to go."

Belinda nodded, her expression thoughtful. "You've been through a lot, Ava. More than most people ever will. It's only natural to feel uncertain sometimes. But you've always had a strong heart, and you've never been one to shy away from what's right."

Ava looked down at her cup, the steam swirling up into the air. "I just... I keep thinking about where I've been, about everything that happened in my life, especially when I was a child. It feels like a lifetime ago, but I can't shake the feeling that I'm supposed to be doing more. Like there's something I'm missing."

Belinda's gaze softened, and she reached across the table to take Ava's hand. "There's something I've been meaning to tell you, Ava. Something I should have told you a long time ago."

Ava looked up, surprised by the sudden seriousness in her grandmother's voice. "What is it, Mamaw?"

Belinda took a deep breath, her eyes filled with a mix of love and resolve. "Ava, there's a reason you've always felt different, why you were able to do what you did in Michrinor. You're not just any ordinary girl—you're a Naam, just like I am."

Ava blinked, the words taking a moment to sink in. "A Naam? But... how? You knew about Michrinor? About everything?"

Belinda nodded, her grip on Ava's hand tightening slightly. "I've known all along, Ava. I knew from the moment you were born that you were special, that you had a destiny far beyond anything I could control. You were born to save others and that's exactly what you have done your entire life and I've always been by your side."