Going to the Orphanage

[Emilia]

She had been thinking of the little girl for the last couple days. She received a letter from the little girl and it made her smile. She had named the doll after her.

She went to the stable and had a horse saddled, she rode into New Haven and went to the orphanage, she asked to speak to the Mother Superior. She had the letter in her hand.

[Nuns]

The Orphanage was a large structure built of brick and stone with an 1800's London style feel. An iron wrought gate surrounded the outside of the structure, but the gates were always open during daylight hours. In the yard various children played - must have been recess for them - and a few Nuns stood around keeping and eye on things.

Attached to the Orphanage by a short enclosed hallway was the church. When Emilia rode up and asked to speak to the woman in charge she was directed to wait out in the yard by one of the Nuns. Satisfied with that, Sister Mary-Marks was fetched. Getting on in years, Sister Mary-Marks had one of those hardened faces creased with wrinkles, but she moved a lot faster than what her appearance would dictate. She reached the front door and looked out at the visitor.

"Welcome to St. Emiliano's. How may I help you?"

[Emilia]

She found a bench and sat down to watch the children play in the yard. She was smiling when she saw the older nun, standing from the bench she held out her hand.

"Hello Sister, my name is Gilraen Telrúnya; your orphans met me at the Christmas dinner as Emilia Tyson. I am here because I would like to adopt one of them."

She held the letter she had received out to the nun.

"The little girl that wrote this letter."


Dear Miss Emilia,

Thank you so much for making this one of the best Christmas ever. The clothes and shoes were nice, but the best part was the fact you took time to make me, a number feel special. I hope you will always remember me, because I will always remember you.

Your friend,

Orphan 149

PS I named my dolly Emilia

[Nuns]

Hearing her refer to herself as two different names Sister Mary-Marks stiffened and, though no action was made, her eyes gave the appearance as though she were looking down at the lady talking. There was a reason why she was the head: she was strict and never stood for any tom-foolery or nonsense. She reached out and took the letter, all the while still looking at the lady.

"Which one is it Child," She was a Nun. You were either a Sister or a Child no matter what the age. "Do you call yourself Gilraen Telrúnya or Emilia Tyson? You may have many names but you shouldn't refer to yourself by another name if you already gave a party a different name." Now, she read the letter.

[Emilia]

She was older then the nun; but she did not mind being called child she knew it was their way. She smiled at the sister, the answer was simple.

"Sister I am sorry for the confusion, Gilraen Telrúnya is my given name, I am elvin. Some people have trouble pronouncing it. Emilia Tyson is the common translation."

[Nuns]

"Telrúnya." Said quite pointedly as she read the letter. She knew of this particular girl, she didn't hang out with many of the other kids and liked to refer to herself as a number even though she did have a name. The Nuns never pushed the children in some aspects, school and studies yes, personal aspects, no.

A nod as she folded up the letter. "Come in inside, tell me about yourself and why you want to have a child."

Sister Mary-Marks ushered her inside and down the hall into her office.

[Emilia]

She followed the woman inside and to her office. She sat down in a chair and waited till the Sister had taken her seat.

"I have always loved children. I have none of my own, I have not found a man I could settle down with, and so I have not had children."

She paused.

"I have a lot I could offer a child, love, a family, a good life. She would be well cared for. At the party I watched her. I saw how she stayed away from the other children, how she referred to herself as a number.

Now Sister, I know that you would not just call a child by a number, I know that she receives the best care you are able to give her; but there are only so many nuns, I think what she needs is a mother, I want to love her, and show her that she is worth loving."

[Nuns]

"And what do you do, Telrúnya, that makes you capable of raising a child." Casting aside the fact that the woman took a seat before it was offered, Sister Mary-Marks spoke to Telrúnya in a measuring tone, sizing her up as the conversation continued. The children at the orphanage did receive care that was at least comparable to middle class.

During the walk to the office it was clear to see that they did not put much thought into the many modern convinces of many surrounding places. Holding on to old tradition and simpiler styles of life, the light came from oil lamps, runners on the floor, paintings on the wall, and stained glass windows brought color to the otherwise dark halls.

She continued, but chose not to sit, rather stand with her hands clasped in front of her. "Many people want to adopt a child because they think it is the same as a pet. They are not pets Telrúnya, they are people the same as you and I. They need to be kept healthy and fed, schooled and disciplined. Given structure. Can you provide this?

[Emilia]

She looked at her and nodded.

"I am a model, I let my picture be taken to show how clothes look on a person."

She looked at her and leaned closer.

"I do not think of children as pets, I know they are people, they have to be cared for. I am ready to sit with her when she is sick, discipline her when she needs it. As for schooling, she will get the best schooling, I plan on staying at the Inn for a while, I was going to ask that you allow her to stay in school here."

She was ready to pay whatever their tuition was.

"I can provide all that you spoke of and more, I just want to give her a chance to know the love of a mother."

[Nuns]

She was a model. Yes, looking at her she could see the truth of that statement for Telrúnya did have a pretty face. One thing she was not sure of was how the life of a model could impact a child. Certainly the orphan who wrote the letter was in need of confidence and a few shots of self-esteem. It may not be too bad.

Sister Mary-Marks walked over to her desk and put down the letter. "There are children in the city, those of them who do have homes, whose children attend the school here, so having her finish out the school year here is not a problem." She had heard of the type of residents were at the Inn, however, no harm had befallen the children on their trip and there was no reason to assume that any would now. The Sister had been evaluating Telrúnya during the conversation and there was nothing terribly negative about her. No bad blood one could say.

"Does she know of your intent?"

[Emilia]

She looked at her and shook her head.

"No she does not, I have not spoken with her since the day of the Christmas party."

She stood.

"I wanted to suprise her."

[Nuns]

"Very well. Adoption is not a quick and simple matter, there are steps." Sister Mary-Marks said as she opened her drawer and pulled out a few papers. "You have already met and selected the child, so those are cared for." The papers were set on the desk along with a pen. They described general things that Telrúnya was already told, about care, talked about schooling and the rest that she was about to be told.

"Next, you will get to keep her on a trail basis, good fits for families cannot be made from a short visit of a few hours. Adoption means a change of lifestyle. You will have three months, during that time you will be her Foster parent." Sister Mary-Marks was giving her that measuring gaze again. "If it does not work out, you may return her before the time is up. You are expected to care for her and someone will be dropping by the establishment, unannounced, to observe the environment and to check on the child. They will be writing a report. If their report shows that the place is unfit for raising a child, or the conditions she is being exposed to are unfit for a child, your trial period will be void and we shall take the child back into our protective custody."

The papers were pushed towards Telrúnya. "If you agree to these terms then you will sign the paper and I shall have her brought here."

[Emilia]

She listened and signed the papers.

"I can agree to the terms, they are fair and resonable, and in the best interest of the child."

She passed the papers to her.

"I can make the nessesary changes."

[Nuns]

Taking the papers she looked them over and saw that everything was in order. Telrúnya had said that she was willing to make needed lifestyle changes and saw no problem with the three month probation period. All was in good order.

"Very well then Telrúnya," the papers were folded and put into that earlier drawer. That drawer was locked afterward. "If you would wait here please I will return in good time with your Charge."

There was nothing else more to say in her opinion and therefore Sister Mary-Marks opened the door of her office and left.

[Emilia]

Emilia stood as the nun left; while she waited she folded her hands and closed her eyes. She was meditating to keep herself from pacing.

[Lydia Nyght]

One forty-nine was sitting on her bed doing some homework. She couldn't help but daydream about Christmas. She hoped tha one day she would see Miss Emilia again.

[Nuns]

Sister Mary-Marks found out the location of this particular orphan - she could have been in school, mass, outside, ect. - and discovered she was in her room. It did not take long to travel to the rooms, her steps didn't dally and didn't bother with any detours. When she got to the room she didn't bother knocking - she never knocked, there should be nothing going on in the rooms that wasn't able to be seen by everyone. A turn the knob and entered.

"Quickly now girl, don't dawdle. You are to gather your things and come with me." Straight to the point, the Sister stood and waited.

[Lydia Nyght]

She looked at the Sister very confused. She didn't say a word. She grabbed her few things and followed the Sister.

[Nuns]

Obedience was always a good thing and it was something they tried to instill in their children, to obey those given charge over them and to be respectful. Of course, to only do so when they were told the right things to do, they did not teach them to obey foolish or wicked orders.

Sister Mary-Marks lead her down the hall. "This is a very good day for you Child. Someone has come here wanting to adopt you. Seems you made quite an impression on your last time out." Though she spoke to the child she did not walk at her side. She walked ahead and expected to be heard.

Soon they reached the office and the Sister opened the door. "In you go."

[Lydia Nyght]

At the Sisiter's words, her heart skipped a beat. She prayed it was Miss Emilia. When she walked in and saw Emilia, she ran over to her and gave her a hug. "Is it true, are you here to adopt me?"

[Emilia]

She bent down as she hugged the little girl.

"Yes my little Princess, I am here to adopt you."

She kissed her cheek.

"Does that make you happy little one?"

[Lydia Nyght]

Her six year old eyes twinkiled with anticipation."Yes Ma'am it does. Ummm does that mean I get a real name?"

[Nuns]

Sister Mary-Marks stood and watched the exchange between the two. Certainly, they seemed happy to see each other and that was a good thing.

"Yes, she is here for you. Right now it is only on a trail basis." She had to be the one to get back to the matter at hand. "Three month period. If all goes well, and you are well behaved and keep up your school work, the papers will be final."

"If that is all, her things are here, do you need transportation? Child, you may want to say goodbye to your friends."

[Emilia]

She was smiling at Princess.

"Yes, that means you will get a real name, how about Ilúvënis? It means Princess in the elven language."

She looked at the Sister.

"No transportation will not be nessesary, she can ride with me on the horse."

[Lydia Nyght]

"I love the name!! Oh thank you Mom..Mommy..Mother..Miss Emilia..Uh what should I call you?"

As far as friends she really didn't have any, she was always too shy to make any.

"It's ok Sister. I just wanted to say thank you for allowing this t happen, and for taking care of me. I'll miss you."

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