Legends of Belariath
Xunnie
The storm howled outside the large farmhouse, winds screaming around corners and muffling the screams that came from within. Roland paced back and forth across the family room, all seven of his sons sitting there tense and silent as they waited for the screaming to stop. All but one of them had heard these screams before, the youngest son Toby being new to the experience. But this time, this time worried Roland - for Marigold was older now - they both were - and this child had been a surprise. Well into their fortieth year of life, they had not expected another baby, but the Gods had blessed them once more. Now he prayed that this blessing did not end in tragedy. Another long wail and then silence, eye pairs of eyes turning to look at the closed door with baited breath. And then the high pitched, thready cry of a baby - that first wail of life and when the door opened and the old crone stepped out, the sound of Marigold cooing to the still screaming baby, a collective breath was released. “It be a girl Roland. Ye finally have yer daughter an I say it be time to start lookin forward to yer grandkids instead of making more of yer own!” Not that Roland needed any encouragement on that one! This had put fear into him for he had been with his wife for longer than he had been without and the thought of losing her had been enough to make him falter. No, no more children for them. This daughter would be the last. Booted feet thumped across the room, barrel chest wedging between the old crone and the door frame, a leather pouch of coin pushed into her hand. “Thank ye Peony - thank ye for everything.” It was the last words he would say to the stooped woman, his eyes focused on his beloved wife and the downy headed baby that she cradled and nursed.
A daughter! Did he even know what to do with a girl child? “Oh Roland, the look on your face is priceless! Come closer and look at her. She is adorable and I am sure that before the night is through she will have you wrapped around her finger.” Marigold could only chuckle at the big, gruff man that looked so stunned and unsure of himself. The boys had been easy for him. Sons! A man knew what to do with sons - but a daughter? Stepping closer, he lowered himself to sit on the edge of the bed, grey eyes staring down at the chubby baby - large for a newborn - and smiled. “Well Ma, what are we going to name her? Tina - to follow in the names of the boys?” They had picked out a son’s name, figuring after seven boys this one would be a son as well but had never considered a girl’s name. “I like the name Xunnie.” It was a unique name for a child that had not been expected and after a moment’s thought he nodded. “Xunnie it is then and how about both of our mother’s names to round out the name?” Tired but still riding the excitement of having her child in her arms, Marigold nodded with a smile. “Xunnie Camilla Elysia. It is perfect, just like her.”
Five years had passed since that winter night and the golden haired daughter that had surprised them thrived. The prediction of Marigold had come true - for it had taken but a night for Roland to become enthralled with his daughter. Rising to get her in the night, changing her and laying her across his lap for her naps. And by the time she was half a year old, he was carrying her with him just about everywhere he went. It was no wonder that now, at the tender age of five, the two were nearly inseparable - but it wasn’t just her father that doted on the child. Her brothers were just as enamored of the rambunctious girl, always catering to her demands for tea parties and make believe. A happy child, she thrive and blossomed under the love of her family - winning over everyone who met her. And Marigold was content to let her have her time with her brothers and father, let her be the tomboy that she was bound to become, because she knew that she did not have the energy to keep up with the child. Rocking back in her chair, she watched the capricious child playing with her dolls in front of the fire, talking about to them just as they talked to her, a smile on her lips. Xunnie was definitely special - she felt it in her heart and she could not wait to see the beautiful child grow into her destiny.
“Pa! I finished mucking the stalls and gave ole Tess an extra bale of hay since she’s breeding. Tam said to tell you he went down to the north end of the land to fix the fence and Toby is fixing the roof on the barn. Travis and Tristan went into town to have Myrtle butchered.” The young voice rang out the moment the door to the house opened, grey eyes like her father’s darting across the large family room in search of her father. Golden haired and tanned from constant exposure to the sun, Xunnie was the golden child. At eighteen years old she was short like her mother - plump despite having lost the baby fat - and all smiles. Her mother rounded the corner, hands wiping on a towel from washing up dishes. “Your Pa went over to the Michael’s to take them some of the chickens. Clean up and come into the kitchen and help me.” While a good natured and obedient daughter the one thing that the entire family learned early on was she did not like being stuck indoors doing ’womanly chores’. It was a task to get the girl to learn anything that would help her with having her own home and Marigold often wondered if the Gods had sent her a son in a girl’s body. “Aw Ma! I was about to go help Toby with the roof!” The protest was expected and overruled with just a point towards the kitchen - something that had the girl huffing but heading to the wash room to clean up. It wasn’t that Xunnie couldn’t tend to a house or cook - she was decent at the tasks, but Marigold strived to get her to understand that they were just as important as knowing how to help a cow birth or knowing how to repair a leaky barn. But, the lesson for the day was not to be learned - another to take it’s place - when the door to the farmhouse slammed open, Tyrus panting from running and frantic standing there wide eyed. “Toby fell Ma! He fell an is bleedin!” Both women stared for a moment before towels were dropped and feet were running - fear chasing back any thoughts of lessons. By the time they reached the barn, the youngest son sprawled up on the ground - leg at an odd angle and blood running from a gash in his hair - Marigold was giving orders in a breathless voice only to have Xunnie take charge. “Tyrus run to the ole Daphne an tell her we need her with a quickness. Ma get water from the well an one of the towels from the washing we did this morning.” It was surprising how easily her daughter fell into the roll and neither wasted time - each turning to do what was told while Xunnie settled herself beside the still form of her brother. By the time Marigold rounded the barn she found Xunnie hunched over her brother - whispering soft words she could not make out, the faintest of bluish white light surrounding her hands and Toby’s head. It stopped her in her tracks, dropped her jaw - for never had anyone in the family been able to tap into the magics. A healer. Her daughter was a healer!
“Xunnie, come sit girl, Toby can sleep without you hovering over him. I need to talk to you.” Roland had stood there watching his beloved daughter tend to his youngest son, pride swelling in his chest but worry also there, nettling at him. “Be right there Pa.” A blanket was pulled up over Toby, gentle kiss laid on his forehead before she turned and followed her father back downstairs. It had been two days since Toby’s accident and while the little bit of healing she had been able to do had only stopped the bleeding and Daphne and done the full workload of getting Toby on the mending path - she had never relinquished the role of supervising his health. Crossing over to sit in front of the hearth, eyes on both parents now, she offered them a tired smile. “Xunnie, Your Ma and I - we talked last night. You see, we did not expect to find a healer in ye girl - and we know that in order for ye to learn all ye need to know, well, we are gonna send ye off to Nanthalion. There is a place there that trains healers - and ye need training my girl.” It had been a hard decision for them both - their baby leaving home and traveling so very far away alone. But they knew it was for the best. She had a gift and she needed to learn how to use that gift. “Nanthalion? You are sending me there?” Both trepidation and excitement filled her, for she had heard stories of the capital - of the Emperor and his Consort and she wanted to see it for herself. “Yes girl, you leave in the morning. It is a long journey, Tam an Tristan are gonna take ye in and help ye get a room. So, go start packing girl.” The words were barely finished before the plump girl was off the floor nearly bowling her father over in a tight hug and loud kiss to his cheek - the same given to her mother. “Oh thank you! I will not let you down! I promise!”
The morning dawned crisp and cool, winter definitely on it’s way but that didn’t stop the excited girl from racing around while everyone readied the wagon and loaded up her stuff. One last round of hugs and kisses given to everyone - the entire family - gathered. Once seated within the wagon between her two brothers, a wave given back to everyone - the trip to Nanthalion began. The next step in the young girl’s life.