Tea for Orphans

[Bricu]

I should have posted this months ago.

The following takes place Months Ago,before Fingold and Annalea became an item

Thenia could not remember a time when the shop was this busy on a Tuesday morning. At this rate, she may need more than the new hired help. She had to remind herself that she couldn't just rouse her girls anymore. Both of them had made it clear that they couldn't be bothered with their mother's wishes anymore. Their lifestyles--a choice of danger-- would not care about a mother's pride in the family business. Sharing her triumph with the help--Maggie or Meg, she couldn't remember--simply did not have the same level of appeal...but at least the new girl listened to her and the customers.

The crowd was astonishing, and it was spending money. Customers that had debated the price of her fabrics for weeks were now shelling out silver and gold like it wasn't even their own. Even as Thenia attempted to get them to save on the discounted materials here or there, her advice was brushed away. Her customers went straight for the items they had eyed for a long time. Even Clara Erodur, a spendthrift if she ever knew one, purchased three bolts of Darnassian silk. Clara wasn't even skilled enough use the material to make a doily, but she insisted on three bolts. The price was more silver than Clara would see in a month.

Thenia saw her to the door, then walked with another customer over to the mageweave. She was extolling the virtues of the undyed cloth when Maggie went to her side and politely interrupted her.

"Excuse me Mrs. Al'Cair." Thenia turned to her employee, the smallest hint of a scowl on her face. Maggie wasn't bright enough to pick up on the cues--Threnody and Annalea wouldn't dare interrupt like that--and she didn't stop, "there are two men outside. I think...I think they're paying for people's purchases."

"Rubbish." Thenia straightened her apron and flashed her best business smile. She would humor the girl and take a quick break outside. "Maggie, go ring up this lady's purchases then help Old Nan with her wool. I'll check outside."

She watched as Maggie gathered up the new customers bolts of fabric, then wave at Nan's. Nan pointed at some of Thenia's supply finest linens, not her usual bolts of wool. Even Ol' Nan had money to spare this month.

Thenia straightened her hair and marched outside to deal with Maggie's "men." She was surprised to see that there was a man on her porch. He was shorter than most of the men in Stormwind and his back was turned to her. He had strong, broad shoulders, but they were slumped as if he had just finished yelling. His hair was red, but cut and styled to an appropriate length. His clothes were deceptively simple in make and fabric. All in all, he was probably well-to-do.

"Excuse me sir. Can I help you."

The man who turned around quickly, obviously startled at Thenia's voice. He had a neatly trimmed beard and vibrant violet eyes. His nose was broken, more than once, but it added a to his charm. He did not smile as he greeted her--Thenia didn't think his face was built to smile--but all in all, was the very model of southern manners.

"Mrs. Al'Cair," Shael said, all deference and charm. "I'm sorry to disturb ye. I'm jus' here ta..."

"Mr. O'Connnaugh! Oh, do come in!" Thenia motioned for Shael to come into the shop but he held his ground.

"Och, no ma'am. I'm just here ta help mah...companion. He ran off ta..."

"Nonsense. Please, I insist. There is no need to buy anything. Rumor has it you have already purchased a number of things." She flashed her Sunday Best smile.

"Mrs. Al'Cair,the rumors o'me generoisity ha'been greatly exaggerated. I'm just directin' folk here. Mah companion has bin' footin' their bills."

The mirth drained from her voice. Companion. If it was who she thought it was...."How generous of him!" Her smile returned to his pristine business shine. "When he returns, I'll make sure to give him a discount. Was this idea yours or his?"

"His."

"Oh. Well, I really must be going. The shop is extremely busy. Do come another time Mr. O'Connaugh."

"Certainly Ma'am." Shael smiled again before he said, "I just wanted to say that your daughter commends her self admirably in executing her duties."

Her smile brightened again, "Oh, you mean my Annalea? Do you work with her at all?"

"I mean Threnn. She's quite..."

Thenia's compsure never melted. With her best business smile, and only the slightest hint of disdain, she interrupted the priest.

"Sir. I have one daughter. You must be mistaken. While it has been a pleasure, I certainly must get back to the store. Good day."

She spun on her heel, apron twirling behind her, and walked back into her shop. She shut the door with great care and walked straight over to Maggie and Nan. She tried her best to forget what she had just learned.

[Bricu]

The customers kept coming. Thenia wondered if they would still take his copper if they knew it was blood money. Personally, she wouldn't touch a single copper if she had a choice. She would not benefit from his ill-gotten gains. Thenia made peace with herself by folding and refolding the cheaper fabrics. The simple activity cleared her head enough so she could deal with the customers directly. Her mood improved dramatically, the tainted money not withstanding.

Thenia decided right then and there that she would donate each and every copper to the Church--but not when Shael was preaching. If she could only involve the Watch in this matter, she would. But the watch wouldn't touch him, or his kind, unless she had something more than paying for ladies fabrics.

It was just after noon when he showed up. He strolled into her shop as he owned it. He greated each one of her customers--he even gave Evie Langston more silver for her purchases--as if they were old friends. She kept her grimace to her self as she watched each warm to him.

Thenia noted that he was dressed in well worn finery. A thin bladed sword was sheathed on his left and draped over his shoulders was a beautifully tailored cloak, a style popularized by nothern patriots. Bricu carried a beautifully engraved silver tea pot with matching glasses. On the tray were cinnamon scones. She saw through him instantly. He was no hero, he was a con artist, a criminal, a thief. Thenia continued her best business smile--even though her cheeks ached and she desperately wanted to scream at him.

"Thenia me'dear, its time for our monthly tea." He looked around the shop, making a spectacle of the whole thing. "Och, I've never seen the place so busy."

Thenia was without words. The audacity of this brigand to come into her shop and demand to have tea with her was too much. She wanted to scream at him to get out, but to do so would alienate her customers.

"My dear, it is too busy. Maybe tomorrow."

He slumped his shoulders ever so slightly, "But I spent all mornin' workin' on the scones." With a glanced at Maggie, he had his wish. She caved instantly.

"Mrs. Al'Cair, I can handle it. Go have tea."

"Oh, Maggie, I really couldn't."

"Och, yeh heard the girl Thenia. S'a Brilliant idea. Come now, there are so many things yeh need t'here 'bout our Threnny."

She wanted to throttle him. He controlled the room--all of the customers and her vapid assitant--wanted her to join him. Sales would plummet if she didn't humor him.

"Very well sweetling." She walked towards the back room and held it open for him, "But after you."

Bricu walked into the room ahead of her. He set the silver tea set on the table and arranged two chairs around the table. Bricu sat facing the door, Thenia stood by the door.

"I do not have the slightest intention of sipping tea with you. Give this farce a good ten minutes and then be off."

Bricu gestured to the chair, "Go on m'dear, have a seat. We'll talk longer than a few minutes." She stood stock still, glaring at her erestwhile son in law.
"Let me pour yeh a cuppa. S'not poisoned. Too expensive ta'waste with poison."

Thenia didn't budge.

"If yeh dont' sit, I'll scream bloody murder. Someone will come in ta see. They'll see yeh lordin' over me an' me with a burned lap. Bad image ta have."

"You're a bastard."

"No, I'm an orphan. I knew who me da was." He said, grinning. Thenia wanted to pour the tea over his head, but she resisted. Bricu gestured to the chair.

She sat in the chair, prim and proper, glaring at Bricu.

"Mr. Bittertongue, I had thought we had come to an understanding."

"An' me dear Thenia," Bricu dunked his scone into the tea, "what was that understandin'?"

"That you and my eldest child were dead to me."

Bricu took a sip of his tea and nibbled at a scone.

"No. That wasn't our understsadin'. That was yer command. She followed it ta the letter. I didn't."

"I noticed. Why?"

"I don't decalre folks dead lest I've flung them inta a volacano--even then, I'm not so sure they're really gone."

Thenia stared at Bricu in an attempt to make him squirm. He sipped at his tea. "Really Thenia, yer gonna need some. An' they're the dog's ballacks."

The two glared at each other

"No reason ta call someone dead unless they are. S'a major point o'contention between me an' Threnny."

"That she wants to talk with me but you wont' let her?"

"On the contrary. Yer as dead ta her as she is ta yeh."

Thenia blinked first. "She what?"

"She said yer dead ta her. If yer gonna cut her outta yer life, she was gonna do the same." Bricu finished his scone while watching Thenia react to the news. "S'the thing 'bout yeh Al'Cair girls--more stubborn than time itself. Yer more alike than either o'yeh'd care ta mention."

"Did you encourage this?!"

"Stretwh no!" he sipped at his tea, "But what the do yeh expect Thenia? Yeh didn't attend our weddin', say that any kids she has by me are "bastards," an' then publically cut her off an' blame her for Maunt."

"Thomas Maunt..."

"Was a bastard." Bricu put his tea down and held up a finger for each point he made, "He was in the Cult o'the Damned. He paid Sin'dorei, Forsaken' an' orcs ta kidnap me. He got the Order o'the Rose ta turn on the Riders. He killed an' orphan boy named Tommy. He tormented yer daughters. He treated Threnny almost as bad as yeh have. Yeh want me t'have a sweet smellin' Rose here ta tell yeh more truth?"

"Threnody murdered him."

Bricu rolled his eyes but kept his voice low and respectful. "What yeh label murder most folk in the know call 'expedient.' She did the world a favor AN saved me life. Even the Church an' the Bloody Naaru know it now. Strewth Thenia, Threnny got her connection ta the Light back an' her standin' with the Church is a good as ever." Bricu's smile faded as he continued, "I know yeh heard 'bout it. Stormwind is still a bloody small town when yeh think 'bout it. The bloody truth is this: He was a bad man Thenia. Aye, he was rich, but he was a bad, bad man." Bricu picked up his tea and sipped while Thenia seethed. "Worse than me."

"I don't believe..."

"Yeh don't want ta believe....but I'll have Shael, Shadowbreaker an' O'ros the Naaru come an' speak ta yeh. Each one o'those folk owe me favors. If yeh get a dream in the middle o'the night that involves warmth an' twinklin' bells, yeh can thank me in the mornin'." Bricu emptied his tea cup and poured himself another. Thenia sipped at her own glass.

"Tellin' yeh the truth isn't why I am here. I'm here ta tell yeh ta make up with yer daughter."

Thenia glared back in response.

"If yeh want ta be outta her life, Annie's life an' yer grandchild's life, stay yer bloody course."

Bricu and Thenia watched each other. Bricu finished his second cup of tea while Thenia finally finished her first. She sat the cup down in front of her and glared at Bricu. He didn't flinch. Thenia knew he was an accomplished liar, and she expected him to lie about this as well. Yet he sat there, quiet and unflinching, as she scrutinzed him. Moments turned into minutes, and he didn't relent.

"Grandchild?" Her thoughts raced at the possibilities, but she concentrated on the negative ones.

"Eventual grandchild." Bricu corrected himself. "She's off the tea Thenia. Well, the Earthroot at least. Yeh might be able ta bring her a batch an' patch things up between yeh."

"She isn't actually with child?"

"Not yet--an' maybe not ever. We'll try for a while longer or adopt a few kids from the orphanage. The fact is there are kids comin', an this is yer chance ta make amends 'fore they come."

"There is no making amends. She threw away everything I sacrificed for her. She turned her back on me and on her family."

"Ballacks. She did what an Al'Cair does--whatever the hell they want, so long as they do it well."

"She should have an easier life--"

"She has a better one--One she enjoys." Bricu paused but Thenia did not fall for it. She smiled her best business smile. Bricu didn't fall for it either. He continued. "She's happy an' she does good works. Strewth, there's only one thing more most folk would ask o'their kid, an' we're workin' on it. What more could yeh want?"

Thenia stopped smiling. Her blood boiled. Thenia was done being lectued to by the likes of Bricu.

"And what, pray tell, do you know about good works? What I wanted for my Threnody.."

"Threnn."

"Excuse me?"

"She prefers to be called Threnn. She lets me, an' few others, call her Threnny." It was a great strain, but Thenia kept her words in check. It was still a surprise for her when she heard him continue.

"What I know 'bout good works come from her."

His next words betrayted him.

"Most mum's would take credit for teachin' their kids well. But not yeh, eh Thenia?"

"Mr. Bittertongue," she interrupted him, "My daughter may have made you apart of her affairs, but you have no business in attempting to be part of mine."

"Which way is it Thenia--she yer daughter or not?"

The two stared at ech other. Bricu poured them both more tea, but neither spoke.

Bricu spoke first, "I got yeh a chance ta fix it. If yeh don't, it'll go beyond not seein' grandkids. She won't be here when yeh take ill. She won't do a damn thing for yeh."

Thenia raised a brow, "Really?"

"Aye. An' I won't try an make her either."

The two stared at each other again.

“I will not apologize to her.”

“Yeh don’t have ta apologize—although yeh should—but yeh do have ta go ta our house. I’ve even got yeh more o’this tea, she doesn’t find it that bad…”

“I hate tea.”

“Its yer bloody weapon o’choice it is!”

“It is what civilized people use to facilliate debate and understanding.”

“Rubbish. Tea ain’t gonna make yeh civilized or make anythin’ easier….Yeh tellin’ me this is for status?”

“It is what proper people do.”

“Good gods above Thenia! What yeh know o’Proper folk couldn’t fill a thimble. Proper folk…Strewth, Proper folk don’t have heroes for daughters. Proper folk talk ta their children. Yeh want ta be proper—try actin’ like yeh give a toss ‘bout yer daughter.”

Thenia stealed herself for another pointless round of arguing. She prepared another well perfect arguement for him when he did the unexpected.

He stood up.

"Thenia, love, yeh raised two brilliant daughters. Yeh can't ask for a redo 'cause yeh don't like me. If yeh want ta have any role in any o'yer children's life--or their children's children--then yeh find yer weapon o'choice an' go talk ta her."

"But I'm not finished!"

"Bugger that love. Yeh're done. Yeh raised her, she's done growin'. Its her story now. Yeh wanna be a part o'it, make amends."

He was so calm, so smug, that it might as well been a slap to her face. Thenia was speechless for a matter of moments. Long enough for Bricu to excuse himself and walk to the front of her store. He turned back to her once he was between the store and the kitchen.

"Yeh Don't have ta decide now Thenia, but Threnny would love ta see yeh a two weeks from tomorrow. She ain't got orphan duty nor any heavy work either. Yeh should come by. Bring the left over tea. Its her favorite."

He made small talk while she gathered her thoughts. She smoothed out her apron and straightened her hair before returning to the shop. The buzz and bustle was over--he had purcahsed all of the items her patrons wanted--leaving her alone with Maggie. She was counting the money.

"All in all, a good day Mrs. Al'Cair."

"Count the money Maggie--we're not done working yet."

[Threnn]

((Again, this took place late last spring, two weeks after Bricu and Thenia had their meeting.))

The teacups sat on the silver tray in the wide windowsill, the liquid inside them cooling. Half-eaten pastries sat forgotten on delicate porcelain plates. Seated in their armchairs, watching one another coolly, Thenia al'Cair and Threnn Bittertongue waited to see who would speak first.

The pleasantries were done, from won't-you-come-in and please-sit-down to your-father-sends-his-regards and lovely-day-isn't-it. Thenia had poured the tea while Threnn arranged the pastries, and they'd taken their first sips and bites almost companionably. But once the social niceties ran out, an awkward silence reigned.

Threnn resisted the urge to twist her wedding band around her finger, forcing herself to stillness. Bricu had only been trying to help, refusing to accept that mother and daughter could turn their backs on one another forever. But what if there wasn't anything left to say? What if there was nothing worth salvaging? Last summer, Thenia had made it quite clear that her business' reputation was more important than her elder daughter. How could a visit from Bricu have changed her mind?

Because he's clever. Whatever he said got her to come across town. That doesn't mean she truly wants to stay.

"Listen. You don't have to--" she said, but her mother was speaking, too.

"Did you know that these were a gift from your father's mother?" Thenia traced a finger along the edge of her plate. Caught off-guard, Threnn shook her head. "They were. She didn't like me all that much to start. It seems she thought I was too stubborn and opinionated for her son, even though the match was solid.

"Your father can be stubborn, too. He's just quieter about it. He put his foot down and said we were getting married, and that was that. She only came to our wedding to keep up appearances. We didn't see her for nearly a year. She sent your father letters, but they were little more than formalities."

Now Threnn did twist her wedding band. Neither Thenia nor Padraig had attended the ceremony she and Bricu had held nearly a year ago, and it had stung more than she'd ever admitted out loud. Not even Bricu or Anna knew about the tiny hope she'd held onto all that day, that she might catch a glimpse of their faces in the back of the crowd.

If she opened her mouth now, what she had to say would shatter the fragile truce between them. She kept quiet, waiting for her mother to continue.

"Anyway. The plates. Your grandmother had them shipped to us in Stormwind, as a peace offering of sorts. They arrived just before the city was sacked. The only reason they made it onto the wagon with us when we fled was they were still in the front room, all packed up. I thought..." A fleeting look of shame twisted her mouth, then it settled into a hard line -- Threnn recognized it as the face she made when presented with unpleasant choices. "I thought we could sell them, if we had to. Trade them for food or shelter if things got bad. The boxes they were in were our tables and chairs when we moved back for the reconstruction. Do you remember that?"

"Only a little."

Thenia took a sip of cold tea and grimaced. "You were small. The point is, they survived the wars, and so did we. And when we were back on our feet, I sent her a very belated thank you. And, well, that opened things up. It's why you girls knew your grandmother at all. Because she and I both swallowed our pride.

"Threnody..." She sighed and corrected herself. "Threnn. I want you to have them."

Threnn blinked. "We, uh, don't really have the room to host people for dinner up here."

"You won't live here forever. You can call it a belated wedding gift. Or an early housewarming one." Her mother's stiff smile seemed more like a rictus.

"But you use them to serve tea for your guests."

"I hate tea. You know that."

"Yes, but... Giving them to me means giving them to Bricu, too. Do you really want to put something so precious in his filthy hands?" Try as she might, she couldn't keep the bitterness out of her voice. And that'll do it. Now we'll argue, and she'll leave in a fury, and all Bricu's work will have been for nothing. She wasn't trying to pick a fight, but words once loosed couldn't be recalled. Steeling herself against her mother's sharp tongue, Threnn looked up to meet Thenia's gaze.

Her mother did, indeed, look stricken. Yet, when she took a breath, it wasn't to lash out in kind. Her shoulders slumped, the perfect posture momentarily gone. "I deserved that. That, and likely much worse." She sighed. "I don't care for him. But you do. And maybe the Darrows woman was right; it's not my place to tell you who to love."

Threnn stiffened at the mage's name. The woman had visited her mother before the wedding, trying to show Thenia the error of her ways. Unfortunately for Thenia, she'd only served to piss the Ice Witch off in the end. Threnn wondered if her mother knew how lucky she was that she only ended up briefly encased head to toe in ice. Light only knew how close to death's edge Thenia had danced that night.

Her mother was too deep into her own speech to notice Threnn's discomfort. "When Bricu came to visit, he said you two were trying..."

"Trying what?"

"To get with child."

Threnn sat back, folding her arms. "We are."

"What I said before, about you having his children..."

"You said they'd be bastards. And you wished me dead on a battlefield. Let's not sugar coat that. You said you didn't want anything to do with them."

She had the good grace to look ashamed. "I was wrong," she said simply. "I was wrong about a lot of things, but especially about saying that." She leaned in and plucked at Threnn's arm, pulling one of her hands into her own. "I know there's been bad blood between us, Threnn. But I'd like to try again, if you'll let me." When Threnn didn't answer, she cleared her throat and continued. "A girl needs her mother. Especially when she's about to become one herself. Will you at least think about it?"

Threnn glanced down at their joined hands and bit her lip. "I'll think on it."

Thenia smiled. "It's all I'm asking." She patted Threnn's had before letting it go. When she stood to go, Threnn rose as well. "Why don't you come by for..." she peered at the tea set, shaking her head. "...for brunch. Next Sunday? I'll get your sister to come, too."

"Yeah. I'd... I'd like that."

They exchanged goodbyes, careful not to say anything that might ruin the delicate peace. Threnn leaned against the door for a moment as her mother's steps faded down the stairs, then started clearing up the plates. After a moment, she realized she was humming.