✓ | TOUGH AS THE IRONWOOD (A.FORRESTER 2)

Silver. Chapter Twenty Eight.

That morning, sun flooded through Cynthia's open windows in rivers of golden light.The warm glow spread across the room and glittered off of the reflective surfaces scattered about the chamber like tiny candles. It was gorgeous. The only difference being, this morning Cynthia was hardly in the mood to gaze upon the beauty of dawn; she was hardly in the mood for anything. It was so much a delightful morning as it was one Cynthia wished she could cower away from, and sleep through until it was over. Today was not a day she looked forward to, especially not now. Without Asher at her side to help her survive the days affairs, what was the point of even getting up. It was her day, she was so often told, and yet it felt as though everyone enjoyed it much more than she ever did. Asher was about the only thing able to help her cope with it all, and this year he would be a no show. 

But there was something else amiss this year. Something that had never failed to occur every other time since Cynthia could remember. She'd woken up on her own. That never happened; for as long as Cynthia had been deemed a part of the Forrester family, Talia and Ethan would sprint into her room as soon as the sun graced the sky and would pounce onto Cynthia's bed to wish her a happy day before her eyes had even opened. Cynthia wondered if, because only one of the twins were still here, Talia had wished not to enact the old tradition, on account of it upsetting her even more than she usually was. Or, perhaps, they'd all just forgotten that today was in fact the day of Cynthia's dreaded Nameday. In all the mayhem and drama that had taken place over the last few weeks it would not surprise her if the entire household had woken this morning, unknowing of the occasion. That, though saddening as it should have been, was something Cynthia hoped was true, as it meant she could stay hidden amongst her sheets for the rest of the day and not have to endure the festivities like every other year. 

"CYNTHIA!" Screamed an eager voice from the doorway, and suddenly things were as they should, not exactly but close enough. Talia beamed down at Cynthia's frown-stained face with a broadening smile, once she jumped onto the mattress (and Cynthia) to wake her up. "Good morning!" She practically sang, humming with excitable energy - some of which Cynthia hoped to adopt as the day proceeded, if only to make it more bearable. "Morning Talia," Cynthia pushed herself up onto her elbows, knowing there was absolutely no chance of Talia allowing her to bury herself in her bedding now that she'd arrived. "Come on - breakfast is already set downstairs," Without hesitation, Talia grasped hold of Cynthia's hand and dragged her from the bed, "get changed - hurry!" She demanded, and pushed Cynthia ever closer to the wardrobe on the other side of the room. "Alright, alright. I'll meet you down stairs shortly," Cynthia did her best to smile, patted Talia on the head and nudged her to the exit, in hopes she would leave Cynthia alone for a moment to get dressed. Which, she thankfully did. 

When Cynthia got downstairs, she was almost hurt to only see a couple people gathered around the table. Gared was playing with Ryon, sat beside Lady Elyssa, and Ortengryn was sat opposite them, discussing something quietly with the lady of the house. "Cynthia!" She gushed, ending her conversation to greet the girl she considered a daughter. And though Cynthia was happy to see Elyssa, she couldn't help but feel the bleeding wound that not Mira, nor Asher or Rodrik had bothered to show this morning. She was never one to enjoy the celebratory of her birthday, but she did appreciate her friends caring enough to see her. Which, this year, they apparently did not. 

Without much conversation, Cynthia took a seat opposite Gared and spent the morning talking with him over their past encounters as youngsters. It was refreshing to spend time with him after everything they had endured together, and there was some bliss to be found in spending time with an old friend without any one else interfering. Talia departed not long after sitting down, though she was practically vibrating in her seat with some withheld enthusiasm, it was clear she had somewhere else she wanted to be. Ortengryn also left, though bidding Cynthia a good day as he got up, he assured them all he had plenty of work to be doing. Eventually Ryon, giggling and running with uncontrollable excitement, left them as well - and Gared followed to keep an eye on them both. 

"Your father wrote me today." Lady Elyssa announced, once the pair were alone. To this Cynthia rose an astonished and confused eyebrow, "did he?" "Yes - said he hoped you have a wonderful day. He enjoyed seeing you, though he understood why you did not, it was pleasant for him and your siblings to be reunited after so long being apart." Elyssa looked sincere, but Cynthia could not help but scoff. "Yes, how nice it must of been for him to 'reunite' with the child he sent away." She chugged down some water and did her best not to look up from her food. She knew Elyssa did not appreciate hearing her disrespect her father, even after all that he had done to her, and she knew Elyssa would have her be civil with the man, but Cynthia just could not. When she held a grudge, it lasted a life time. Especially towards him. It was no longer just about abandoning her, but not somehow letting her know of her true heritage, or that she had siblings still alive, wherever they were in the world. "He also said, as a gift, to search through your mothers things. He mentioned a surprise you likely have not found buried amongst the papers. I suggest you look, might be something of some worth," And with that the lady stood and sauntered off. 

What a wonderful way to start the day, Cynthia thought as she sat alone in the great hall, looking at a cold and not particularly appetising breakfast. And without anything better to be doing this morning, Cynthia found herself wondering back towards her room with curiosity burning at her insides. She did not want to listen to a word her father said to her, and nor did she wish to do as she was told by him; however, the prospect of their being something of her mothers worth seeing in that chest made Cynthia almost desperate to find it. And, as she thought before, there was no where else she was supposed to be at this current moment, given none of her friends appeared to be around. 

Upon entering her room, Cynthia quickly located the chest and stared at it momentarily. She didn't really know what to expect when looking inside; she didn't know her mother very well, nor did she knew what she might find once she opened it. She wasn't even sure she wanted to know. It could be nothing, some old trinket her mother had favoured before leaving Westeros, or it could be something life-changing-ly significant - which wasn't likely, but it was a possibility no matter how small. She was thinking far too much by the time she opened the damn thing and peered at the masses of letters and old books with a sceptical gaze. Elyssa said it was buried amongst them, and so without thinking anymore, Cynthia emptied the contents of it completely. Papers flew everywhere, books clattered to the floor, bits and bobs rolled around in disarray; something heavy landed on Cynthia's lap. She wasn't entirely convinced it was what she thought it was, but at the same time she knew, without a doubt, it was exactly what she thought it was. What had been hidden amongst unimportant souvenirs had been something round, and ancient. Something silver.