I'll be a better man today.

[Ciaran Lee Frye]

Was it too soon to return? Perhaps, but at least Terra might feel a little better about it? He hadn't liked their exchanged words from the last time, when she made it clear that Myra couldn't really depend upon him. It had hurt him in ways that he wasn't completely ready to admit, and yet, there he was, coming up that dirt path through the village only a handful of days later.

Maybe he was trying to prove something to her...or maybe to himself.

He was clearly nervous, considering the last time his sister had followed him all the way from home. It made him extra alert and paranoid, but he felt like he was safe when he pulled his horse up to that small cottage. It was later in the afternoon, the sun would be descending within a couple of hours, but he noticed the curtains were drawn. That was kind of strange, wasn't it? It was nice out today, and he figured Terra would possibly have the windows open.

Dropping down from the saddle, he approached the door and knocked on it a couple of times. Nothing. He waited a few seconds more and there still wasn't an answer. Ciaran paused, wondering if Terra maybe fell asleep during their daughter's nap and he didn't want to wake either of them. So, then, he tested the door knob. It was locked.

Ever so slowly, the feeling of dread began to creep in to the pit of his stomach. He was trying not to think something was wrong, but with everything that had been going on, it really couldn't be helped. Ciaran knocked a little louder, waiting rather impatiently for there to be no answer again, and suddenly every second that passed by felt like ages.

Where were they?

Immediately rushing around the side of the house, he found the loose panel on the siding that hid the spare key. Grabbing it, Ciaran was right back at the door to unlock it in haste, stepping into a very cold and dark room. His heart suddenly leapt into his throat. There were no embers still in the hearth, no smell of snuffed out candles or freshly brewed tea. Everything was so still and quiet, eerily so, and he felt his fingers curl tightly into the palms of his hands to keep himself calm.

"Terra?!" he called out, no longer worried about waking anyone up before he rushed to the bedroom. That, too, was empty and the bed was made. It became very clear that no one had been home at least for a day. They weren't here. They were gone.

Did she take Myra and leave? Had something else happened?

Ciaran was flying out the front door, turning in place as he looked around for any sign of them. Suddenly, he felt sick and he could barely hear anything but his own pounding heart within his ears. He was panicking and he couldn't calm down now.

Then, his voice rose and he called out her name once again. "TERRA!"

[ Eoghann Lee Frye ]

[Eoghann Lee Frye]

Eoghann had a lot on his mind. Between unseelie business, and now finally finding the one responsible for his Melody's execution, he was turning into a very busy man. He hadn't staid long at the Lee frye family home. Only a few days, before he used his excuse of being a Ranger Lieutenant pull him away. Allarick was putting the armed forces into motion, especially the rangers that would be used to search the forests.

Once his captain had passed down the search plans to the areas they'd be looking, Eoghann had found an excuse to pull away. Taking the ride out to the unseelie encampment to pass the plans off to Oberon so he knew which places to have their people avoid. He was coming through Greyshallow. A small village he often passed through, and thought about visiting home again, as it was near by. Besides that, he wanted to do some snooping. Possibly to find some books on poisons or something else of that sort. He thought about taking a trip to Morningstar estate to see his Aunt Em about them as well. Poison would be the quick, easy way for Davis Rhodes to die, but Eoghann also wanted the man to suffer just like Melody had.

His bay roan was coming down a hill when he heard a voice that caught his attention. It was familiar, and he'd know it anywhere. A deep valley formed on his brow as he pulled his eyebrows together in confusion and pulled the horse in the direction of the noise. Coming up the side of the small house, he pulled back on the reins, his brows shooting up in surprise when his eyes confirmed what his ears had heard.

"Ciaran?" He called, suddenly concerned. There was something off about his brother, almost as if he was panicking about something, and Eoghann had never seen him in such a state before. Something triggered deep in his belly, and he instantly tensed. Feeling a wave of overprotectiveness coming over him.

Out of the three oldest Lee Frye's, Uailean and Niall were the responsible and reasonable two. Eoghann? Eoghann had been the brother that the younger ones had run in terror from as he'd teased and picked on them all mercilessly. But if it was one thing Eoghann was good for, it was no onemessed with his brothers or sister, unless it was him. He was already dismounting the horse, and leading it towards his little brother in a matter of seconds.

[Ciaran Lee Frye]

He was clenching his jaws so hard that his teeth were beginning to hurt as he continuously ran his fingers through that mop of hair. Ciaran didn't know what to do. He had thought about this numerous times but somehow never thought it would happen. The problem was, he didn't know whether to be afraid or pissed off. Had Terra taken Myra and run off without telling him? Or had something unspeakable happen? Nothing seemed off at the house, just that it was vacant and unused for awhile. Starting to pace, he didn't know whether to get back on that horse or just search the village on foot. His hands were shaking.

Then he heard a familiar voice call out his name, and he spun around wildly to find none other than another Lee Frye. This time it was Eoghann. "Fuck!" Ciaran didn't bother trying to hide his displeasure, knowing he had no excuse to give his brother who would undoubtedly ask him what was wrong and why he was here, of all places. And none of that mattered. They weren't here, and he didn't know if they were safe or not.

What if he never saw them again?

He felt his throat closing up, struggling to find words to explain what was going on. And how was he to do that when his brother had absolutely no idea about any of it? "They're gone. I don't- I don't know...I don't know where they are, if she left..." Regardless, he began to ramble on quickly, unable to stop once he started. And now his fingers were pulling at those dark curls as he spun away, about ready to continue running down that path and further into the village. "What if something happened, huh? What if those Unseelie fucks came through here, and-" He had to breathe. From the looks of Greyshollow, there had been no ransacking. There were no injured and people weren't cowering in their homes; only some were looking at him questionably. He probably didn't look very sane.

"TERRA!" he called again, knowing it was pointless.

[Eoghann Lee Frye]

Well nice to see you too bro… Eoghann thought as Ciaran whirled around and saw him. Seeing the displeasure on his face. Normally he might have made a comment about it, but Ciaran was clearly losing his shit over something. No, not something. Someone. Eoghann was quick to tether his horse before he slowly started towards Ciaran, as if he was approaching an agitated animal.

He was rambling about someone being gone and Eoghann’s confusion only grew. Who the hell was he talking about? Despite his rambling, it was slowly starting to make sense to him however. The word ‘she’ getting dropped and the fact Ciaran looked so damn panicked. Eoghann was taken back to a darker place in time when he’d been just as frantic and afraid. Trying to find Melody when he’d learned she’d been taken to be executed for what she was. That he'd been late in trying to stop it... Whether Ciaran realized it or not, Eoghann knew that helpless feeling he was feeling.

His only question now...who was she? “Ciar-” He said, trying to interrupt him to get him to calm down, but the mention of the unseelie, had his face hardening. His brother didn’t need to know that the unseelie came through the village constantly, or that they were even close to it, and he certainly didn’t want him to know how he knew.

“Hey hey hey, pause for one second.” He reached out to grab Ciaran’s arm, trying to get him to hold still long enough he could look at him. “What’s happened, who’s Terra?” He asked trying to get him to talk to him rather than continue to freak out. Ciaran losing his shit wasn't going to help whoever it was that was missing. And if Eoghann's hunch was right, then his brother was going to need to calm down enough to explain everything to him. Because if he didn't, Eoghann wasn't afraid to use electro shock therapy...

[Ciaran Lee Frye]

Hadn't he always thought that this would happen? That Terra would finally get so fed up, pack her things and Myra, and just leave without word? Was he freaking out so much because it hurt that much, or was his mind running away with other, horrid ideas? Every time he thought one way, he was changing it, causing him to spiral even further.

He knew now how Eoghann must have felt. That sudden, overwhelming worry, the lingering question up in the air. And then the guilt. Ciaran had forced them to hideaway out here, keeping them a secret from his family who could have protected them. Better than he ever could, clearly. He'd been sad for his brother's pain and loss, and he wished he wasn't beginning to fully comprehend it all. If anything, Eoghann was possibly the best one to be here for him right now, but he also didn't know everything that was happening.

Ciaran was too frantic to notice the way the man's expression changed. He was only looking at him again when Eoghann grabbed his arm, and the younger brother whirled around to face him, as if he was ready to retaliate physically. He didn't, if only because Eoghann was attempting to calm him. It did little, but he managed enough to try and explain.

His chest heaved and he could barely slow his breathing. "She's-" She was what? Who was Terra to him besides the mother of his child? A child Eoghann knew nothing about. "She and...she and I, we-" He was drawing in a deep, staggered breath, suddenly struggling to find the words. "We have a daughter, Eoghann." Ciaran just dropped the truth right then and there. The more time he wasted standing there trying to explain, the less time he'd have to look for t hem. "And they're not here. I don't...I don't know where they are. What if-" His voice had begun to crack and he was spiraling again, fingers pulling at his hair. He was seconds away from turning from his brother and running through the village to look for them, any sign of them.

[Eoghann Lee Frye]

Eoghann was patient as he waited for Ciaran to get the words out. His face was relatively calm, save for his brows there furrowed. His hand on Ciarans arm moved to his shoulder, as if he could hold him steady long enough for whatever he needed to say to come out, and what he said…

Shock filtered across Eoghann’s face. A child. A daughter. A niece.. Ciaran Lee Frye was a father, and none of them knew about it. A mix of emotions coursed through Eoghann. He couldn’t very well judge his brother for having a woman, his guess from their current location, that was a commoner. Melody had been one, that had taken him months to finally tell Niall about, and then eventually Ciaran, and even Aoife. There would be no judgement there, however there was a mix of anger, and hurt as well. Wondering why Ciaran hadn’t told him. Did anyone else know? Why had he kept it a secret? They could've helped him. Eoghann had enough secrets he was keeping right now, why not more? But most importantly…

“Firstly,” His hand came up to slap Ciaran upside the head. “That’s for Mother.” He muttered. A small grin spreading across his face. Catriona Lee Frye, was going to do worse then smack Ciaran upside the head once she learned he’d been keeping a granddaughter from her. “Secondly, Why the fuck didn’t you tell me sooner?” He asked, his tone taking on more agitation as he turned more serious. “For fuck’s sake Ciar, what did you get yourself into, that you felt you couldn't ask for help? We're brother's aren't we?” He asked him. And brothers did anything for each other, wasn't that their role? To be there and help them with their shit they didn't want their parents to know they were getting into?  He almost asked what had been going through his head, but then realized that would be a stupid question. The answer was nothing had been going through Ciaran's head.

Eoghann wanted to drill him with more questions, but it was going to have to wait. Apparently Terra, and Ciaran’s baby girl were missing. Lee Frye blood was missing, and it didn’t settle well with Eoghann. Especially in these parts. “We’ll get to that later, and we will talk about it later,” He said quickly giving him a pointed look. “I need you to think rationally right now. Does she have any friends in the area she could be visiting?” He asked. His hand going back to Ciaran’s shoulder to steady him. He looked over his shoulder into the house and didn’t see that it looked like a struggle had taken place so that was a good sign at least.

“Anything look like it’s missing from the house?” He proceeded to ask. It was enough to take a look and then think the worst without thoroughly checking first. “Did she leave a note?” asked as another possibility.

[Ciaran Lee Frye]

Why couldn't he seem to calm down? He knew the moment he told his brother, Eoghann was going to have something to say, he just didn't expect him to actually hit him. Aoife had gotten angry, but she hadn't hit him...or maybe that was because his daughter had unknowingly been his shield.

Myra. He felt this dread at the pit of his stomach, this fear he had never known. Ciaran would never forgive himself, never, if something happened to her. If something happened to Terra. He put them out here, alone with no one else...what kind of selfish prick did that?

Ciaran flinched from the smack upside the head, but even though his brother was grinning, the younger Lee Frye was not. If anything, it only intensified his anger, and if Eoghann wasn't prepared, he'd feel a hard jab to his gut before being shoved away. "Because I was scared! I panicked!" he just belted out, not knowing what else to say. He thought he had had his reasons, but he really wasn't even sure anymore. He didn't even care about them anymore. He just needed them to be okay. "Aoife didn't understand, so I don't fucking expect you to." Well, now Eoghann knew that their sister was aware. Whoops.

'Does she have any friends in the area she could be visiting?' Ciaran began to pace again, his dark eyes wandering all around them. "I...I don't know...I have no idea..." Not only did he put them out here by themselves, he hardly knew much about her life here. Selfish prick. He was shaking when Eoghann placed a hand to his shoulder again, halting him once more. Turning towards his brother, he'd never looked this worried before. The fear was lingering in those dark depths.

Struggling to keep himself together, he finally shook his head. "Nothing. Nothing was touched, there's no note, it feels like it's been empty for a couple of days." He tried to swallow the lump in his throat. "Maybe she just...left." Maybe she finally just left me.

[Eoghann Lee Frye]

In all honesty, the idea of any Lee Frye feeling scared was an anomaly to Eoghann considering who their parents were. Though, maybe it was just because nothing scared Eoghann anymore that he couldn’t grasp the concept of Ciaran of all people actually being scared. It was an emotion that he’d lost to the numbness that had taken over when Melody had been taken from him. Now? Now Eoghann was practically taunting death to come and get him with his work with the unseelie. Having no care for his own self preservation, only the cause, a save for his family. They could all live, and he’d be more than happy to die. A rather depressing though honestly, but grief and hatred had changed him.

He wasn't’ the same man he was three years ago, and he wasn’t sure any of his family members realized it. His brows shot up his forehead at hearing Aoife knew. So that made Eoghann the second one in on Ciaran's little secret. He almost asked how Ciaran convinced their sister, who was a the worlds horriblest liar to keep this secret, but Eoghann forced himself to focus on what was more important. Finding Terra and the baby.

Eoghann pursed his lips, nodding slightly as he took in Ciaran’s information before he turned and started towards the inside of a house. “She’s a woman with a baby, there would be things missing if she’d left you.” He called over his shoulder. Infants (though Eoghann didn’t know Myra was that small, he was going guessing) practically needed their own trunk of things if you took them anywhere, from what he’d seen of their brothers and their nephews.

He entered the home, letting his dark eyes scan over everything. It was tidy, small, but certainly homely. He walked towards the bedroom, nuding the open door open further with a boot as he stared at the made bed and then started to actually poke around at things. There was one dressed that looked to be shared. Small child dresses and little leggings filled a whole drawer, and Eoghann got a thoughtful look on his face. There was a trunk at the foot of the bed that he wandered over too, popping open to find it empty before he closed it and then wandered back out. Leaning a shoulder against either the bedroom door frame or the front door frame depending on if Ciaran had followed him in or not. “You can’t pack lightly with a kid, Ciaran. Not unless you plan on only going a short distance. If she’d left you she would have made arrangements or something to carry more thing.” He reasoned.

His expression softened as he looked as his brother. “If it will make you feel better I can have some men search the area for a woman and a child. See if they’ve been seen or what happened.” I can go to Lee, and have him bring the whole guard… Was what he didn’t say. With a hard ride, Eoghann could be at their family home, tell their father the situation and the two could go off and handle the situation. Search parties could be made possible. That is, if Ciaran would allow it. If he could accept the fact it was time to come clean to the family that he had a secret daughter. The other option...Was Oberon. Asking the unseelie leader to help him in his search for his niece, and Eoghann would ensure he was certainly rewarded. Or there was-

“Oh we’re idiots,” He said facepalming. Wondering why he didn’t think of it sooner. “Aunt Em, or hell, even Lucas! What good is a scrying mystic if you don’t use them?” He said, staring at Ciaran. They could easily see if Terra was alright. But that also required Ciaran to be willing to go to them. “I think Aunt Em is at Lasairdubh visiting mother. She’ll likely stay for a few days anyway.” He said quickly. As far as Eoghann saw it, this would be the easiest and quickest way to try and find Terra. But Ciaran would have to be willing to give up his secret. “What do you want to do?” He asked.

[Ciaran Lee Frye]

He had to calm down. He had to because this wasn't going to help anything. Why couldn't he stop reeling? It wasn't as though Ciaran Lee Frye wasn't used to dangerous or worrisome situations- he was in the army during a time of war against his own people- but this was different. This struck him personally in an entirely different way.

He was realizing what he had in front of him this whole time but felt he could do nothing about. Now, what if it was too late?

This wasn't like him at all, and yet he couldn't stop it. It was like something finally snapped inside of him, spiraling him out of control. Is this what Eoghann had felt? Is this what he had gone through with Melody? Would Terra and Myra suffer the same fate?

Slow down. Calm down, and think. Listen to Eoghann.

His brother was telling him that Terra probably would have packed a lot of things, but who's to say she didn't leave in a hurry? Maybe she didn't leave because she chose to, but because she had to? Ciaran began to pace yet again as the man inspected the house, only stopping when Eoghann mentioned having some of the rangers look for them. Blinking, his lips pursed in thought. He would do that? Of course he would, you imbecile. That's what family does.

Contemplating this, there seemed to be another solution that neither of them had thought of, and it dawned on the older Lee Frye...something that made Ciaran's entire stomach drop. He also wasn't breathing. Aunt Emilia, or their cousin: it was possible one of them might be able to locate Terra, but at what cost?

The price would be telling more of his family his stupid secret.

His blood ran cold to hear that his aunt was visiting Lasairdubh, but at the same time, was that just fate being both cruel as well as having perfect timing? He was just afraid, yet he knew he wasn't going to have much of a choice. If his girls were in trouble, if there was a chance they were in danger, this secret didn't matter anymore. It couldn't.

"Come with me to Lasairdubh?" he finally asked, hesitating for a few seconds. "I can't...I can't tell them alone." Not that he expected Eoghann to actually say anything, but maybe his presence would at least help. Then, if their aunt wasn't able to find Terra, his brother should be able to possibly gather some help.

[Eoghann Lee Frye]

Eoghann crossed his arms over his chest while he waited for Ciaran to think about what he wanted to. If he was smart, he'd do what he suggested and go see their aunt, and then deal with the fall out later. Or, if he didn't want to tell them right away, Eoghann could easily come up with an excuse as to why they needed their Aunt's help. Whatever Ciaran's decision, Eoghann would back him. His brother had kept his own secret for him, it was the least he could do in return. 

"That's a stupid question." Eoghann told him point blank, as a corner of his mouth tugged up into small smirk. And miss mother roasting your ass? Ha! Like he'd miss that opportunity. But Ciaran was also his little brother, and as big brother, Eoghann had brother responsibilities and duties. Like not letting his brother face the lioness's alone. He darted back into the house quickly then, coming back a few minutes later with a small bundle. It was what he could only assume, Ciaran's little girls dress, and a scarf that he assumed belonged to Terra. If Em was going to find them, she'd need something to tie herself to them. 

He held them up to indicate what he'd gone after before closing the door behind him. He came over and placed a hand on Ciaran's shoulder then, giving it a squeeze. A hard, promising look crossing his face. "We'll find them." He said firmly. "You're not alone in this any more, Ciar." He told him gently. "Aaaaand if mother murders you, I supposed I'm the one that's gotta jump start your heart again, so you don't completely die on us." There was the slight humor, before pressed the bundle into Ciaran's chest for him to take. He clapped his shoulder and then turned swiftly to retrieve his horse.

Their race against time started now. 

[Ciaran Lee Frye]

After speaking with Aoife, Ciaran had come close numerous times to just telling their mother. He had wanted to, but was certainly worried about the fallout. Two years he kept Myra a secret. It wasn't like he just found out Terra was pregnant. If he was thinking a little clearer, he might have realized that Eoghann probably, still, didn't technically know.

Oh, this was going to be so bad, but his worry for them was outweighing his pride. Two years too late, that is, but at least he wasn't going to back down this time. He couldn't risk being a coward now.

'That's a stupid question.' That actually managed the faintest of smiles from Ciaran. It made him feel an ounce better, but he knew even Eoghann couldn't save him from Catriona's wrath if she so chose to wield it at him. And all he could do was take it. He deserved it, and far worse.

Although his hands were still shaking, he prepared his horse as Eoghann went back inside, only to bring a couple of items out. Right, their aunt would need something to tie her to Terra and Myra if she was going to have any luck finding them. Throwing them into one of the saddle bags, his brother's words made him pause. 'Aaaaand if mother murders you...' "That's...so very comforting." Ciaran was struggling to grasp onto even a little bit of humor but was falling flat. He was just about to drop the biggest truth bomb on his mother, on top of not knowing what happened to Terra and his daughter.

Climbing up into the saddle, Ciaran took off towards Lasairdubh with Eoghann. His heart didn't stop pounding the entire way.

[ end scene ]