KH: Returning Home

Posted on Fri Jun 6th, 2025 @ 7:22pm by Sr Journeyman Rena & Sr Journeyman Bensen

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: Kymos Hold
Timeline: M2 D30

Rena was exhausted being back at Far Site. The Rider who was giving her a lift back and insisted on flying straight when he saw how pregnant she was despite her assuring him she was safe to go between. So the Harper had arrived back candlemarks after everyone else which meant Brianna was worrying in the courtyard when she finally jumped down from the dragon and rushed over to the girl.

“Hello, little one.” She whispered picking the girl up and holding her close over her bump as she just breathed in the familiarity of the little girl.

Bensen had waited with Brenna, knowing the little girl was worried about her mother. Thankfully the rider that had brought him back had let him know that Rena would be flying straight as it was safer for her and the baby. not that it made it any easier to wait.

He grinned though when Rena returned, but stayed back and let Brenna welcome her mother home. It was a very endearing sight to watch the two together.

“Where were you? Uncle Bensen and Grandmother got back candlemarks ago.” Brenna demanded as the rider who had brought her back put down her bag next to her.

“My fault, little lady. I made your mother fly straight for the babe.” He explained bowing to the little girl before smiling at Rena. “Lady Rena.” N’raen said less formally.

“Thank you N’raen.” The woman said less flustered now that she was home. Rena watched the blue dragon take to the air and blink between before she set the girl down on her feet despite her protests.

Bensen waved to the blue rider. He was glad the rider had thought about flying straight.

“Come on kiddo,” he laughed, scooping the girl up and putting her on his shoulders. “Let's help mommy get her bags inside,” he smiled, winking at Rena.

Brenna squealed as she was scooped up and put up on his shoulders. She did not wiggle though once she was up there. She knew better than to do that as she would injure whoever was carrying her “Silly Ben. I cannot help from up here.” The girl complained as Rena picked up her bags before anyone could help.

Bensen raised a brow at Rena. “Well apparently mommy isn't going to let us help her anyhow,” he said, putting a bit of a bounce in his step like she was riding a runner. He headed for the Hold though with Rena.

“You have my most precious items already. I can handle 2 days worth of clothes and items,” Rena assured following determined despite a drudge offering to take the items from her.

“Mummy never lets me help either uncle Bensen. She dropped my dress last sevenday and it stayed there until Auntie Abe got it. It was there for days as she couldn't bend down and would not let me pick it up.” The girl laughed much to Rena’s embarrassment.

“Is that so?” Bensen asked curiously, raising a brow. “For days? Ren really?” He asked. This was good to know though. It sounded like he had his work cut out for him. Well he could handle that.

“So much so.” Brenna assured leaning her chin in his head just to make sure she was lower to go through the main doors though there were several feet above her.

“Maybe. Possibly why your sister put my dress on the floor in the first place but I was able to nab that up.” Rena said blushing about so decided to move in front of the pair.

Bensen laughed a bit. “That wasn't very nice of her,” he answered, thinking about where Senabena had left the dress this morning. “I think we’ll just have to help her even if she doesn't think she needs it. What do you think, Bre? Should we help your mommy?”

Rena said nothing. She deserved it for being a stubborn Burdenbeast but also for not remembering the girl when she had been getting married. She would have to find a way to make it up to the woman. Brenna’s little arms wrapped around his neck and hugged him as she nodded. “Definitely. Mummy needs help whether she likes it or not.” The girl agreed making Rena roll her eyes as they were ganging up on her.

“Then it's settled,” Bensen grinned. “We'll make sure mommy gets all the help she needs.” He grinned as the little girl hugged him. She was such a sweetie. Rena and Oseben had done a good job with the little girl.

Rena shook her head listening to the back and forth between her husband and daughter for a second before she stopped dead. Her husband… and her daughter … The thought sparked the guilt that had been settling in her stomach since she had woken up and made it worse. “Mummy?” The little girl asked as she noticed Rena had stopped just inside the doorway of their suite of rooms.

Bensen stopped beside Rena. he could see the confusion and uncertainty in her eyes. “Ren?” He asked gently as she started to worry Brenna.

The woman shook her head. “I am okay. Just tired and feeling a little nauseous.” She half lied as she stepped into the suite and looked around at the tidy space. It was so familiar yet so foreign now. She could see that the last few remaining items that were Oseben's had been removed from there places leaving small gaps around the place.

Bensen didn't push. He had a feeling it was a lot more than that but he didn't want to push it with Brenna there. They would have to talk later. “Alright kiddo, down you go,” he said, swinging Brenna onto the bed.

“Mummy’s bed.” The girl squealed as she was stung down and bounced a little on the bed before jumping down to run over to where Rena was now sitting on the sofa and cuddled into her.

“Finally got put down hmm?” Rena wondered quietly as she wrapped an arm around the girl.

Bensen chuckled. Brenna was such a happy girl. He hoped she stayed that way. “Figured her mommy could use a hug,” he smiled at them.

“She could.” Rena agreed looking at him sadly before looking at the girl keeping her close.

“Did you enjoy the gather mummy?” The girl asked softly as Rena played with her hair. Rena thought for a moment on what to say properly.

“I did. I saw lots of our runners win their races and I danced a little bit.” Rena said quietly. “But also some things happened that means a few things are going to change for us.” She ventured.

Bensen found an empty chair and slid down in it. This wasn't his place to speak. Rena had to tell Brenna in her own way and own time.

“So you know mummy is having a baby. Well you know that the baby is special because daddy was special...”

“Lord Holders son.” The little girl said dutifully, making Rena smile more and glance at Bensen.

“Well lots of people would like to marry mummy and take us away from Far Site…” She started and the girl jerked away looking worried. “But that is not going to happen because mummy has married Bensen. So we can stay here with your family.”

Bensen smiled a bit. Brenna was a smart little one. He could see that Rena was choosing her words very carefully so that Brenna could understand. “I don't want you and your mommy leaving,” he said.n

Brenna looked at Bensen and stood up from where Rena was hugging her. Rena paled more if that was possible as she worried about the little girls reaction. “So you and mummy are married now?” Brenna confirmed from the man as he spoke up.

Bensen glanced up at Rena before giving Brenna his full attention. “We are. I do hope you are okay with that, Bre. You know I love you and I love your mommy too.”

Brenna looked thoughtful at the man before she moved over and climb up into his lap. “We can stay here? No one else will marry mummy and make us leave?” She asked quietly. She loved her father and mummy being together but she understood that was not possible thanks to the bad people and the night that she could remember that had been full of screaming until the dragon riders stopped it.

“No one is going to make me leave Far Site little one. But it does mean some changes like do we change rooms and Bensen will be living with us.” Rena said, putting her hands in her lap unsure what to do with them.

Bensen moved his hands to let her crawl up on his lap. At least she didn't seem upset. More curious than anything. “Of course you are both staying here,” he promised. “But mommy's right. there will be a couple changes. All good though.”

“I do not want to change bedrooms.” The little girl commented softly. ”I like my room but do you want to change mummy?” Rena nodded.

“If Uncle Nabon is happy to swap. These rooms are very special to me as this is where you were born but I want all of us to have a fresh start together.” Rena admitted. The girl let out a sigh but nodded. She would change for her mummy as she knew the rooms that Nabon had were similar to these ones. It had a small main bedroom but a seperate living area.

Bensen smiled. At least Brenna was taking it all in stride. “We'll talk to him later,” he said gently. They didn't have to uproot right that moment. Brenna had just been given quite a lot of news.

Rena nodded and watched the little girl pondering things in her mind for a long time before she finally ventured another question. “Will the new baby be your baby Bensen?” She wondered trying to work out things in her head as it was all new.

Bensen was caught off guard by that question. He hadn't really thought about it or the fact that Brenna would ask. He glanced over at Rena. There was no sense in not being honest with Brenna. “Yes sweetheart the new baby will be mine. And I will love them as much as I love you and your mommy.”

“Does that mean I am yours?” Brenna asked, looking at her mummy confused. Rena rose from the chair and knelt in front of Bensen taking her daughter's hands in her own.

“You are my little girl and if you want to be Bensen’s daughter I am sure he would not mind but that is up to you. You do not have to forget daddy or not mention him or anything.” Rena said firmly. “You are very much loved, Brenna. Nothing changes about that other than my heart gets bigger every second I spend with you.”

“She's right, Bre. That is totally your choice. Your daddy was a good man and my brother. I would never want you to forget him, but you are always welcome as part of mine. but you think about it. Nothing has to change right now,” he promised. He certainly hadn't expected this talk already.

“You think too deep, little one. Nothing changes right now my lovely okay?” Rena said, brushing her long hair from her face sadly. The guilt that she had felt earlier resurfaced as she looked at her daughter avoiding Bensen’s gaze.

“Okay.” The girl whispered leaning forward to hug Rena. The Harper cuddled her back as Cadence appeared and flew around the room before settling on the empty desk in the corner.

Bensen kept quiet. He wasn't sure what else to say at the moment. He didn't want to upset Brenna and he could see this was hard on Rena too. it would just take time for this one to work out properly.

“Come on, help me up and we can go see if there is any lunch left. I am starving and then I can unpack whilst you are at your afternoon lessons.” Rena instructed. Tomorrow she would be back doing the lessons and things but today she was free to unpack at her leisure and take a little bit of time to recoup.

Bensen got to his feet. “Think we should help her, kiddo?” He asked, holding a hand down to Rena. “And I'm sure there will be something good to eat left.”

“Always help mummy.” Brenna said Climbing down from Bensen’s lap to help her mum up. Rena took the offered hand and tug to her feet thankful with whispered thanks. “I am hungry. Uncle Nabon and me had breakfast really early as he had to be up to check on the runners.”

“So you will be very tired then.” Rena laughed a little as she weaved her fingers through Bensen’s in a quick squeeze before she let go.

“And how were the runners?” Bensen asked Brenna. “I hear Star is due to have her foal any day now.” The mare was one of the barn favorites with her quiet demeanor.

He returned Rena's light squeeze. They would get through this.

Brenna skipped ahead of the pair as Rena pulled her hand free to close doors and make sure she was steady on the stairs. “I do not know, I waited here for you all to return.” Brenna admitted. She knew Nabon had tried to persuade her but she had wanted to be clean and up at the hold for when Rena returned.

“Maybe before bed you can go look in.” Rena suggested quickly.

Bensen understood that. The girl was waiting for her mother. He couldn't blame her. “We'll definitely make sure we go check. I'm sure Star would love some carrots,” he said, holding the door for them.

“Thank you.” Rena said smiling at him as they got to the dining hall. Senabena rushed over and hugged Rena.

“I thought you were going to be gone all day.” The teenager stated before she hugged Brenna to her too.

“My blue rider made us fly straight and then we had to tell Brenna news.” Rena explained as the younger woman led them over to the family table and sat down.

Bensen smiled at his sister. It had felt like all day. He was glad the blue rider had done it though. “Well let's eat,” he grinned, pulling a chair out for each of the girls.