RCW Fits Of Worry

Posted on Thu Apr 23rd, 2026 @ 1:28pm by Jr Journeyman Terliyn & Apprentice Talomin

Mission: 3531 AL

Terliyn paced back and forth through the small space listening to the soft sounds of everyone asleep. Mian had caught her after dinner to ask about him becoming a healer apprentice and how she could not say no to the little boy. She had offered to think about the best approach and she would get back to him but now as she paced the panic was rising in her. She did not want to spend time with the little boy, she worried she would see Anious in him or worse he would reveal for definite who Lea’s father was and she was just not ready for that.

Talomin yawned a bit as he rolled over, reaching for Terliyn. He woke instantly when he felt cold sheets. That couldn't be good. He slipped out of bed, pulling his shirt on as he walked toward what sounded like soft steps. “Terli?” He asked softly, catching sight of his wife.

The healer stopped as she heard a soft voice and turned to look at the man. She did not want to have the conversation now at all, she wanted to pace and wrap her mind around it all. “Go back to bed.” She requested in a low voice so neither the baby nor Lea would wake up.

He frowned a bit as he watched her pacing. That was never a good sign. He shook his head a bit. “Are you okay?” He asked, walking farther into the room.

Terliyn looked up as he stepped further into the lowly lit living area and rolled her eyes. “Yes. Just go back to bed. I am thinking about healer stuff and how I am walking the tables soon.” She lied. It was a little white lie to stop the conversation and get him back to bed.

Talomin shook his head. He could tell by her voice that there was more to it. “That's never kept you awake before.” Why was she avoiding whatever was bothering her?

“Big step from junior to senior journeywoman. Lots more added duties and responsibilities. Cannot hide behind Niko and Thalia now.” She shrugged. “Sorry if I woke you. I was trying to be quiet.”

That was true, but it still didn't feel like the real reason to him. “No worries. I would rather know you're okay.” He didn't like the way she was acting.

“I am okay.” She assured quickly walking over, kissing his cheek softly. “Go back to bed. I’ll be back soon.” Terliyn promised softly, seeing the confusion and uncertainty. “Soon.”

Talomin hesitated. “You've been quiet since after dinner,” he pointed out gently. “You sure you don't need to talk?” He hated seeing her so conflicted in what to do.

“No I haven’t? Dinner was lovely with your sister and her children. F’cone even joined in the conversation.” She answered far too quickly before she sighed looking defeated. He was not buying her explanation she could tell in his hesitation and digging. “It was Mian.” She finally whispered softly, hesitating herself in saying it.

“No dinner was great. It was after,” he said gently. Talomin was confused. “Mian? What's up with him?” He asked. Mian seemed okay to him but then again he could have missed something.

Terliyn sighed, sitting down at the dining table, glad for something solid. “He wants to apprentice as a healer… with me.” She said quietly ashamed of herself for how it must sound. The boy was a child yet Terliyn wanted nothing to do with his because of who his father was.

Talomin frowned a bit, trying to follow her thinking. “That's good, right?” What was he missing? It seemed like a good thing. “You're a great healer. He couldn't have a better teacher.”

The woman looked at her husband’s confusion in understanding what was happening. “It’s Mian.” She repeated hoping he would take a moment and think about things properly. Mian was a sweetheart but she did not want to be around him for fear it would reveal who’s daughter Lea was.

Talomin stood quietly for a minute, thinking about what she had said. Mian? The young man suddenly groaned. “Oh Terli,” he soothed, stepping over to her. “He's nothing like that man.”

“I know that.” She assured before he thought she hated the boy. “But I purposely avoid spending too much time with him in case something slips out and … ruins what we have.” She said holding up her hands before he could touch her. She did not want touching right now.

He stopped where he was as she pulled back. He hadn't seen her do that in Turns. Talomin slowly shook his head. “You’re really worried that would happen? Love Lea is all ours no matter what, but if you feel better then see if he can apprentice under someone else. Milayna would understand your reasoning as would F'cone.” How they would explain it to Mian he wasn't so sure.

“Yes and I could not bear for that to happen. I can’t ruin Lea and Rilo’s lives.” She whispered scrubbing at her face. “There is no one else suitable for him. Nikolai and Thalia are too flashy and loud for him. I can’t ruin his life either.” The mere thought of it all was making her feel sick to her stomach.

Talomin let her talk, knowing that was usually the best. He could understand her concern. “I get it, but Mian is still young. You don't have to decide tonight. We'll find someone who can help him if he truly wants to be a healer.”

“He doesn’t have long to decide if he wants to be a healer.” She whispered. “Healers start young.” Terliyn looked haunted by the prospect of it all. The little boy looked like Anious so much around the eyes, but it was the fact he could reveal to her if he was a sibling of Lea what was troubling her the most. She purposely did not search the little girl's features, especially when she looked so much like herself for any hint of her father.

Talomin slowly nodded. Okay that made sense. “What about I'han or G'van? Or even Caylee?” He suggested. He could see this was tearing her apart and he did want what was best for his nephew. It wasn't Mian's fault that his father was a monster.

“They are riders. And Caylee has barely passed her apprenticeship. I am the only one with the right temperament for him, which is just his poor luck.” She sighed, leaning forward, putting her head in her hands. She hated herself for resenting the sweet boy.

He blew out a frustrated breath. “Shards, I didn't realize. I'm sorry Terli. I would do it if I knew anything about healing. Is he really sure he wants to be a healer?” Maybe they could gently coax him in a different direction.

“I think so. He thinks he can save your sister if he ever comes back.” Terliyn whispered, feeling her hands shaking under her head as she thought about the mere prospect of that happening. The older woman looked up pale skinned and tearful.

Talomin blinked in disbelief. His nephew thought that awful man was still alive? “Terli, come here,” he coaxed gently, opening his arms for her. “That man is gone. He will never hurt you again. Lea is safe and is my sister and Mian.”

Terliyn shook her head for a moment before she rose from the chair and stepped into his arms, feeling instantly calmer as the man wrapped his arms around him. “But what if Mian is right? What if he is going to come back?” Terliyn whispered.

He gently wrapped his arms around her, holding her close while he talked. “Then he is going to be in for a surprise. He won't get close enough to the Weyr to even know who is here. You’re safe,” he promised. Talomin wasn't that push over kid anymore and he had still been honing his fighting skills with Marcus’ and Leisa's help. If Anious was still alive he would not get close to Terilyn.

“But what if I see something in Mian that I also see in Lea?” She whispered against his chest, feeling her breathing get more and more laboured as she felt the panic rising.

So that's what she was afraid of, finding out that Lea may biologically be Anious. “Love, they are cousins,” he pointed out gently. “There are going to be some similarities.”

“You know what I mean.” She said gently knowing he was trying to put logic into any similarities to stop her worries.

“Yes I do,” he assured her. he was just hoping that she would see that no matter what Mian and Lea were going to look similar. There was really no way they would ever know for sure. “I was just hoping to help you relax a bit.”

“I know.” She breathed, resting her head against his chest as she took in several deep breaths trying to get her head on straight. This was not her, she looked at things logically, she knew that no matter what, Lea was Talomin’s daughter

Talomin gently rubbed her back, letting her get her composure back. He knew that they would always be plagued by that time in their lives but Lea was his no matter what anyone said. “I love you, Terli. And Lea is always going to be ours no matter what anyone says.”

“I messed up so badly.” She whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck. “This keeps haunting us.” It was not at all just about her as she had made it their problem.

“Shh,” he soothed. “You didn't. It's how that place worked.” Dragon Hold had a way of twisting even the best people and Anious had learned that game early. Talomin kissed her hair. “And we will keep pushing on like we always do,” he promised. “together.”

Terilyn nodded, lifting her head from where she had been resting to look at him. “I did mess up but I am thankful for your forgiveness.” She stated softy.

He gave her a gentle smile. “Always,” he assured her. He loved her and whatever came their way they would face. “And please don't do something that will be hard for you to handle.” He knew Mian would understand.

Terilyn nodded. She would think more about it all but maybe this was her penance for all of her previous behaviours. “I will think more.” She assured quietly not wanting to become like she had after Lea.

“That's all you can do. We'll figure it out,” he promised. Talomin refused to lose Terliyn back to the way she had been. They were finally moving forward.

“I know.” She quickly assured him as she buried her head against his again. She just wanted to feel his presence even if they were standing in their living area and it was after an awkward conversation.

He held her close, just letting her cry or ramble whatever she needed. He continued to rub her back knowing they would get through this somehow.