The Changes of the Mind
OC: Elessi
Description: Average tall, slim, thick red hair, piercing green eyes, fair complexion.
Pairings: Boromir/OC and the other pairings.
Plot: Set during FotR, AU.
Disclaimer: Own not, sue not, profit not. (Except for the OC – she´s mine. Hee hee!)
– Disappointed with her own kind, Elessi asks the Dimension Witch for a chance to start a new life and ends up in a world that is unlikely as her own. –
Chapter One: Farewells
Elessi was one of those people who couldn´t be read like an open book – her life and customs were an enigma to everybody who knew her. She had a talent to appear when it was at least expected and it was very unlikely for her to open up to people easily. During her wandering around the world, she had solved many mysteries that bothered her mind – she loved challenges and thirsted for knowledge. On her journeys, she found what she was looking for – the knowledge and experience. With those factors, her power slowly but steadily grew. But what unsettled her was always some war raging in the world, people fighting against themselves in order to prove who was the more powerful one. The actual threat was now Lord Voldemort and his dominating plans. Even if the war between the Light and Dark was in Great Britain, the terror kept spreading over to the other countries nonetheless. Yet there was hope in the form of a Prophecy, that of the Dark Lord´s vanquisher.
Those were the reasons why Elessi decided to travel to another worlds – in attempt to get to know the human´s soul and mind better. Perhaps there wasn´t such hatred and hostility everywhere – that was the hope her despaired mind has chose to believe. She wanted to understand the others – the ability she had not been capable to acquire in her own world.
And that was the reason why she decided to visit her old friend, Yuuko Ichihara, the Dimension Witch, a wish-granter and a sorceress. But before that, she had to bid a farewell to another friend..
oOoOoOo
„Ah, Elessi!" exclaimed the old wizard. „To what do I owe this pleasure?"
„Albus," she greeted politely, taking a seat in front of the wizard´s desk. Dumbledore offered her a bowl containing yellow coloured sweets as his eyes twinkled merrily. „Lemon Drop?"
Elessi smiled. „No, thank you." The elderly wizard only shrugged and popped the proffered candy into his mouth.
„You´re seriously addicted," commented the young woman in mock seriousness. Dumbledore chuckled. There was a long silence between them, the old wizard´s gaze scrutinising her.
„Why is it that you wish to leave?" he asked straightforwardly, knowing very well what the issue was – he´d discussed it many times over with her, but the stubborn spirit she was, Elessi didn´t waver when it came to decisions.
Elessi´s face darkened and lost the carefree manner she was faking so successfully. Indeed, the old wizard saw into her soul, no matter how persuasive she was, trying to act the opposite she felt when in his presence.
„I simply wish to explore. That and the fact seeing people abuse their gifts, their intelligence and power only to prove themselves. You know this better than most, you have seen it! The darkness swallowing the little of good people had in themselves."
„You speak like Yuuko," remarked Dumbledore grimly.
„That I do," confirmed Elessi. „I know, there are people with innocent souls, but tell me, my friend, how long will they last? How long will they be able to suffer until the give in to the Dark? I trust you, I truly do, you fight the Dark Forces with much determination and strenght along those who have faith in you. But look how the public returns your favor – they laugh at you and mock you, Albus."
Dumbledore wanted to say something but Elessi cut him off quickly. „I know, I know. They are not aware of Voldemort´s rise. But do you know why? Because they hope it is just a sheer fantasy of an old man – a simple empty threat or warning. That is the reason why they close their eyes like little children – if they cannot see it, it will go away. But that is not the case, now is it?"
He seemed to contemplate what she had just said, twinkle gone from his eyes along with the merry mood. „Why is it you do not want to help?"
Elessi laughed humorlessly. „Oh, yes, a just question. Have you not heard of the esteem in which they hold me so?"
„Is it that what discourages you?" inquired the headmaster. Elessi frowned. „Partially."
„Then what is it?"
„As cowardly and selfish it may sound, I will answer your question with honesty. I do not see the reason why should I help them. I do not understand mankind. I was never perceptive of the feelings of my own kin for I paid for my openness many times and had gave up on trying to learn of their wishes, dreams, natures.."
„Then what is the reason of your wish to travel?" asked Dumbledore in a slightly edgy voice.
„To understand and learn. To have the opportunity to discover such qualities as loyalty, bravery.. I simply do not wish to stay here! I want a life that is my own!" Elessi nearly shouted as she stood up, pacing. Dumbledore rubbed his temples, suddenly weary and much older.
„I know that Fate wasn´t very generous when it came to happiness and love, but you never know when it shall change."
„And what if it won´t change?" Elessi countered harshly.
„Do you think it will when you´ll travel to another worlds?" Dumbledore returned, worry etched deep into his features.
Elessi stopped her pacing and looked directly at Dumbledore. „I hope with all my soul it will, for I cannot ask of Yuuko to change my Fate – the price would´ve been incredibly high, even if I gave her my soul in exchange, it would not be enough."
There was a pregnant pause in which Elessi stood unmoving, shoulders slumped and Dumbledore was weighing his every word he was about to utter.
„It hurts me to see you in such deep sorrow and disappointment, Elessi. I know, you saw horrors that others can scarcely imagine, but trust me, there is a reason to fight for."
„I don´t see it. I can´t," whispered Elessi weakly. Dumbledore heaved a sigh, a long sigh. He had been having the same problems with Harry Potter, but this was far much worse.
„I am sorry. But it is not within my power to show it to you. It is only you who can. I wish you good luck. In my eyes, you have been a worthy friend. Keep that in mind. You are always welcome with open arms here."
Elessi nodded her head, part of her grateful and part of her angered. „I will take my leave. Thank you.. for everything."
„You are welcome."
„Farewell, my friend," Elessi smiled sadly as she walked out of Dumbledore´s office, leaving him seated behind his desk, miserable expression on his face. „Farewell, child."
oOoOoOo
Elessi looked at the building in front of her – Yuuko´s shop. Determination set in her face, she walked into the house situated between two higher buildings. Seconds later after she entered, everything around her was as if covered behind a veil, the smoke from Yuuko´s pipe numbing her senses. The latter lay stretched on a sofa, watching her intently.
„A customer. However, one of those unexpected," came Yuuko´s drawl.
„Yuuko," Elessi replied curtly in greeting. The sorceress stood up and glided to Elessi.
„You have a wish," she stated in a sober manner that was typical for her when it came to dealing with customers. If they were visiting each other as friends, the atmosphere would´ve been seemingly friendlier and carefree.
„Yes. I wish to travel to another world," Elessi replied. Yuuko turned around and walked to a table which stood next to the sofa.
„That is quite an extraordinary wish," Yuuko spoke, eyes boring into Elessi´s. She slowly set the pipe down on the table after she put it out.
„I am willing to pay the adequate price." Informed her the red-haired woman stoutly.
„Determination.. A valuable trait if you ask for my opinion. You possess more of it than it is common, yet you have used it to your advantage when the time came."
„If that caught your interest, I offer this trait to you freely," Elessi offered, but she knew it wasn´t enough. As if on cue, the sorceress laughed.
„You know that it is not enough. However, I have to admit that it is quite tempting." There was another awkward silence.
„Watanuki!" Yuuko hollered. „Bring me sake!" Moments later, a young bespectacled man appeared with a tray carrying the aforementioned alcoholic liquid. He set the tray on the table and left the two women alone, wondering what could the customer want that made Yuuko drink right during her negotiations.
„Do you want some?" asked the sorceress as she poured herself a cup of sake. Elessi shook her head. „No." Yuuko drank the liquid in one gulp and resumed the staring contest.
„I will grant your wish if you will pay the price of the equivalent value. And that is your power – your magic abilities which had grown greatly since we had last met."
Elessi knew that the price would be high. She was used to doing everything with magic and to tell the truth, she felt as if she were naked when she couldn´t. Of course, she exceeded at sword-fighting and wasn´t such a loser when it came to physical work but... yes, she got lazy and solved everything with magic since it was the fastest and most comfortable way. Could she part with it?
„I agree and am willing to pay the price." Elessi spoke firmly. Yuuko smirked.
„The more I know you, the more you astound me. Very well. I shall send you to another world. However, as a friend, I feel obliged to remove your burden before you begin your journey."
Elessi blinked in confusion. „What–?" And before she could finish, Yuuko towered over her, placing her index finger on Elessi´s forehead.
„You shall be the unique person you once used to be. Without your woes and the terrors of your past. You shall begin your new life without those horrid memories and views you have gained about people. Farewell, my friend." With that, Elessi felt somehow lighter on her mind. Before she knew what was happening, the world with Yuuko disappeared in front of her in a flash of blinding light.
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I´d appreciate it very much (criticism is welcome, too!). Thanks!