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Brothers	By : Koori Category: +S through Z > World of Warcraft Views: 1830 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own World of Warcraft, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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Chapter Fifty-Six – Foster Conway, Age 23
"Before we left the elves, that Priestess Belestra spoke to me" Pa said at the breakfast table, where Foster sat with him, Sara and Ma. After a reassuring check by his mother they had left Nathaniel sleeping upstairs to awake when he was ready. "They purged his body numerous times; she was completely convinced the painful and aggressive attacks are not due to the lingering effect of any drug."
"Then what is causing him so much pain both to his body and heart?" Sara asked.
Pa pointed to his head. "It's up here," he said, "there is an internal battle going on in your brother's head and when he can't handle it anymore it explodes either by anger or physical pain."
"He did go through a lot," Foster admitted.
"I wish you boys would speak more freely with the rest of us so we'd know exactly what," Ma said softly.
Foster looked over at his mother with kind eyes. "Nothing good would come out of it, Ma. There are some things you are better off not knowing."
"Well," Pa said, "there is something going on with your brother that is going to continue to cripple him until he can face it and make peace. And you, my son, are probably the only one who he'll allow to help him to do so."
"No pressure," Foster said, standing. He grabbed the plate of hotcakes Ma had set aside for Nathaniel and put it on a tray alongside some syrup, jam and a mug of coffee. Taking it he headed upstairs and into the room. Not surprised to find Nathaniel sitting up in the bed studying his wrists in the light of day. Their mother had erased any signs of his attempt last night, but the left was still scared from the time with the elves. "What do you think?" he asked, knowing his brother had eavesdropped on the conversation; some habits were harder to break than others. Setting the tray down in front of his brother he sat down.
"Makes the most sense to me," Nathaniel said softly as he spread some strawberry jam onto his hotcakes. "Never did seem sensible that these fits were lingering drug related moments. I just don't know what I need to do, to fix … me."
"Start by talking about what's bothering you?" Foster said.
"I've already told you everything," Nathaniel said.
"Did you?" Foster said. "You spoke of your first months, about your sickness and your frustration of plans being made without your consent. Then the time with the Nanny from hell, she actually paddled you like a child. Hell, even as children we were never spanked, well after … that one time, I raised my hand to you … after that our punishments for being brats was never physical." As he talked he watched his brother for reactions. The mention of the spanking made his brother's ears warm with embarrassment but that was all.
"Then there was the ball … last dance I went to was the Summer Solace with Bethany, bet yours was a bit fancier. That evening is the first time you thought about ending it all, wasn't it? You had reached your breaking point, but like me you were given a lifeline by the Farstriders. The months which followed were happy ones for you …"
"Not happy," Nathaniel said, "I was still kept on a leash …"
"It is okay," Foster said, "you can say you were happy, no one will hold it against you. It was my dearest wish that you were content and well cared for." Nathaniel played with the food on his plate. Still not what Foster was looking for, he continued the recount he had been told. "It wasn't all fun in games, your friends got hurt and you had to use your arrows for something other than killing food for your family …" He picked up a slight increase in his brother's breathing. "Then came the time that they were going to take you away from your Ranger family because you lacked the resolve to kill, but before that happened your squad was attacked while out on patrol. You used your 'leash' to get help for them; you saved them by bringing the full fury of the High Elves to their aid. In exchange it almost cost you your life due to the magic rebound. After they used you to return to the forest you were able to destroy your bracer and make an escape away from the elves and toward home." There … the way his brother looked away, the racing of his heart, the involuntary flexing of his left hand. "There is more to the story, isn't there, Baby Brother?" Foster said softly, running a hand down Nathaniel's hair. "What happened before you made your escape? Your squad, the people you call Brothers and Sisters were in trouble, you wouldn't have just ran off without making sure they were safe first. What happened?"
He sensed the attack coming but pressed on. "No!" he shouted, "don't succumb! Tell me what you saw!"
"Blood," Nathaniel said, his voice sounded far away, he was reliving the moment. "There was blood on my armor, on my hands … so much blood."
"Yours?" Foster asked.
"No … theirs …"
"Whose?"
"The … the trolls I killed …" his brother let out choking sob as his body shook. "They were just trying to get back their ancestral lands, what right did I have? But they were going to kill them, I had to …" The spasms started and all Foster could do was embrace Nathaniel as he sobbed.
There it was … the final secret his brother had hid from him. Foster was at a loss of what to say, that was one path he hadn't succumbed to the year he was held captive. He may have wished it on others but he had never killed another.
"Nathaniel," He looked over to see Pa standing in the doorway, his cheeks wet with tears. He felt his brother startle in his arms. "You remember that day, when I killed Zach Dixon. I never lost a day of sleep over it; he was out to hurt my family. It is the same for you; those trolls haven't had those lands for a thousand years or more. They were there to kill your friends and you. You did not go seeking their deaths but do not be ashamed because it happened while you were defending those you loved. You only need to be concerned when you go looking for death, never question your right to protect those you love."
"I know these are just words to you at the moment, but I want them to be words you think of when you go to sleep. You are no killer, you are a protector … and yes those are two very different roles. I have a list of supplies I need from Corin's once you boys are up and about, go fetch them for me." That was Pa's way of trying to get Nathaniel's mind to stop replaying the past and move back to the present.
"Yes, sir," Nathaniel said softly surprising them both. His brother was looking at his hands and as he clenched them into fists Foster noticed the trembling had stopped.
Later he was behind the reins of their wagon, with Nathaniel sitting beside him. "I heard Bethany joined our Sis in Stormwind," his brother said.
"Aye," Foster said, "I don't blame her, and she waited for me long enough. I'm not sure what I want anymore."
"You were only with Nignath for a few short months," Nathaniel said, "you've known Bethany your entire life. If there was ever two people destined to be together it is you two."
"It may have only been a short time," Foster said, "but she's has a place in my heart no other can replace."
"Not replace," Nathaniel said as they approached town. He pulled his hood up shielding his face. "But you have a big heart, plenty of room to share."
"That's all I need … love advice from a guy who won't lose his virginity for another hundred years," he replied with a smirk, easily dodging the punch aimed his way.
Their first stop was the blacksmith for nails and the horse drawn plow which their pa had left to be sharpened and repaired. It took Foster a moment to recognize the bearded man who came out to great them, Kyle Madison had bulked out since the last time they had met. Not only by muscles in his arms but the girth under his apron. It took the other a moment to identify him as well and his eyes lit up when he did. "Foster Conway!" he said with a smile. "I heard you had come back into town, welcome home!" Kyle's gaze moved to Nathaniel, "so you're both home, always attached at the hip you were. Good to have you home as well, Nathaniel. What's with the hood, we all know about your blood here."
"I decided it is best not to flaunt my hereditary for the time being," Nathaniel replied, "perhaps once the humans and elves are back on speaking terms. It is good to see you as well, Kyle. How is your father?"
"His father can speak for himself," said Henry as he walked out of the smith wiping a hand across his brow. "I'm doing fine, thank you for asking. Good to see you two, wondered how long we were going to have to wait until you made an appearance. Been home a couple weeks haven't you? Could come to Sunday services you know?"
"Sorry," Foster said lightly, "we are readjusting to life back in Darrowmere Forest; we didn't mean to be strangers."
"Any stranger than we already are," Nathaniel replied with a smile.
Foster returned the grin; it was good to hear his brother tease. "We are here for the plow Pa left with you as well as some sturdy nails."
The greetings from the blacksmith were repeated throughout town as they worked down their list of chores. Always the quiet one Foster could tell his brother was uncomfortable with all the attention and tried his best to hurry. As they were loading the last crates of supplies from the general store a familiar voice called out.
"My goodness," Ellen O'Connell said, "you do cut a fine figure, Foster Conway. Such a pity Beth missed your homecoming, can't believe my angel ran off to join a convent."
"Hello Mrs. O'Connell," Foster said with a smile, moving himself slightly in front of his brother to take the brunt of the older lady's affection. "Bethany went to train to be a priestess not a nun, she can still take a husband, and sounds like my sister Jenna might have."
"Are you offering yourself for the position?" she asked coyly.
As he stumbled of his reply, she brushed passed him and grabbed Nathaniel by the arm. "Oh do my eyes deceive me or has our elfin angel returned to us?" she pulled off the hood and smiled. "By the Light, you're more beautiful than I remember, Nathaniel. Why do you have those alluring ears all tucked away?"
"Only beautiful one I see here is you Mrs. O'Connell," Nathaniel said as he gracefully took her hand and brought it to his lips. "As always time seems to have bypassed you, as vibrant and stunning as always."
Took every ounce of Foster's maturity not to roll his eyes at his brother's syrupy words, he had forgotten how charming Nathaniel could be when he tried. It was Mrs. O'Connell who ended up with a blush on her cheeks. She fanned herself as they said their goodbyes and climbed back into the wagon for the ride home.
"If you were any smoother, Baby Brother," he said once they were out of earshot, "you'd be made of glass."
Nathaniel laughed, it was a joyful sound and Foster smiled. Yes, things were going to work out okay after all. They would have their bumps and bruises but after all was said and done, they had each other and for now that was good enough for both.

~ THE END ~

Koori's Korner: There is more to their tale but this is a good breaking point for "Part One". I’m already 130 pages into “Part Three”, but only a few pages into “Part Two”. This has to be my most favorite story I’ve written so far, I love the characters and how they played out. Please take a moment to leave a review after you’ve finished, I’d love to know your thoughts. Until next time, Shorel'aran! ~ K
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Brothers