Ailene watched her son leaving the house without another word. Pensive for a moment, she then continued knitting in front of the fireplace. The sound of creaking firewood accompanied Ailene, but she could also faintly hear the sound of the wind blowing from the courtyard. It looked like William was back in training with his sword. Even though it was late at night.
Ailene didn't like it when her son spent too much time with his sword, especially at this time of night. Also because Ailene didn't know who William got the sword from. Ailene wasn't sure the sword was given by Bortez the blacksmith, so William most likely borrowed it from a retired soldier in the village, then after a while, it finally became William's.
A sword would bring William closer to the harsh life, which Ailene wanted to avoid. That's why she didn't like it. However, on the other hand, she could not forbid her son. Forbidding William to use the sword was the same as forbidding him from becoming a man. Yes, it might be possible to do at first, but Ailene knew it would be a waste in the end.
After all, this was a good thing too. William had overflowing energy. By practicing the sword he could vent his emotions when he was upset. After all, he didn't hurt anyone. After he was tired of practicing, Ailene knew that his annoyance would go away and he could sleep soundly.
Even so, Ailene was still worried. The conversation with her son tonight wasn't something that would be easily erased from memory. It may even never go away. William had made a promise that he would never again question his father. But Ailene knew very well, her son always had a desire that couldn't be stopped if it had exploded. There was no guarantee that one day William would not go to Hualeg to satisfy all his curiosity, as well as his grudge.
Ailene became restless and suddenly felt guilty. What would happen if William really went north and disobeyed his father's request? How could Ailene dare to meet her husband in the afterlife?
She now regretted it. She should have been able to hide this story about Vilnar and his origins a little longer, and even forever if that was necessary. Now everything was open, and could never be closed again.
That night Ailene could not sleep well. Every time she tried to sleep, Vilnar's face seemed to appear before her, staring at her full of anger, blaming her for telling William their past. When she finally managed to fall asleep, the figure then came back into her dream and scolded her again.
Ailene woke up, and the sadness worsened her condition.
One day passed. The next day Ailene felt her chest hurt more and more. She coughed non-stop. Ailene hoped that William who was sleeping in the next room didn't hear it. But that's not possible. In the middle of the night, her son came into his room.
Seeing Ailene's deteriorating condition, William immediately said half-crying, "Mother, I'm sorry, for making you sick like this!"
Ailene replied with a shaky breath. "Don't. Don't say that. I just … can't sleep."
"I will look for Master Kanlon. He has medicine for you."
"No need .... You ... just accompany me tonight. Maybe I'll be able to sleep well … if you're by my side."
William sat beside Ailene all night. It was true, that night Ailene could sleep well, even though dreams still came to her.
But the dream this time was different. It felt more beautiful.
Her husband's figure came back, and this time smiled at her. The man's hand caressed Ailene's head gently. He said, "Ailene, I am happy to see you again."
Aileen was crying. "What do you mean? Last night you came to scold me because I told you about our past."
"Those who came were not me. Don't believe them, don't think about them. You know I have never been and could never be mad at you."
"I miss you... I want to be with you."
"Ailene, we will be together again. But before that, I want you to do one important thing. Pass my message to our son. Tell him: be an honorable man who can maintain his behavior, and be a light to those around him, as the meaning of his name, Vahnar Vallanir. Luminous Stone of Vallanir. Say, never hesitate to stand firm, and uphold the values of truth and justice. He doesn't need to doubt, because all those values are already in him, if he dares to look for them, and is always honest with himself."
Ailene shook her head, unsure. "Your son is still very young. I'm afraid he won't be able to live up to your high expectations if no one shows him the way."
"He will learn. Yes, he will fall, but he will rise. That was the path he had to take. Soon he will be an adult. Ailene, you've given her the best advice. But the time will come for him to choose his path in life, while we can only pray that his choice is the best for him."
Ailene nodded but was still crying. "I'll pass it on to him."
"Get up, and tell him now. Tell him that I love him very much and am proud of him."
"When I wake up, will you leave me again?" asked Ailene.
"I'll wait for you here," replied the man.
"Then wait for me."
Ailene woke up. This time he happily patted the shoulder of his son who was sleeping beside her. "Get up, William. I just met your father, and he has a message for you."
William was surprised to hear that, but Ailene didn't care and told him the whole dream. After that, she could smile with relief, because all the pain seemed to have disappeared.
But hearing her words, William was sad. "Mother, I wish my father could speak to me directly because I want to meet him, see what he looks like, and hear what he sounds like."
"You will meet him, but later. It's still a long time for you. For now, I'll meet him first. He's been waiting for me."
William's face immediately went pale. "What … what do you mean, Mother?"
"William, I'm going back to sleep."
Ailene lay down on the bed, then caressed her son's face gently. "I have said a lot of advice in my life. I won't say it again. You already know which is best for you. My love is always with you. Take care of yourself. God bless us."
William was stunned. He was unable to speak and could only cry.
Ailene smiled again because for her it was okay. She knew her son's love no longer needed to be expressed in words. She silently said goodbye to her son, then closed her eyes.
That night Ailene fell asleep and did not wake up again.