Tree Speaker
A fanfiction sequel to Forest Born by Shannon Hale
Rin still struggles with tree speech and people speaking. The two used to balance each other, but the trees are harassing her more than ever. Now at the age of eighteen, Rin leaves the forest once again, to go to the city. She goes to the City not to escape her family, but to find refuge. She needs Enna, Isi, and Dasha, the fire sisters, to help her find a speech to balance the trees. Though it pains her to be so connected to the trees, she grows more skilled with them. She not only listens now, but she also asks. She can ask a tree to grow in one place or another. She can encourage them to grow faster.
When she gets to the city she is greeted by Geric and not Isi. For Isi, Enna, Dasha, and her brother Razo traveled to Kel to visit King Scandlan. The Twenty-six year old King of Kel and a man Rin comforted in his evil wife Selia's death. Geric sends her off with a horse and supplies as she makes her quick journey to Kel.
When she travels through the woods, she becomes weaker, because of the trees harassment. Thankfully she sent word ahead that she was coming. As she rides, she falls off her horse from weakness.
King Scandlan himself comes to rescue the kind girl he had come to love, in the short amount of time he had known her.
Rin makes the rest of the way to Kel unconscious. What she discovers in Kel is life threatening to her. Someone doesn't like the idea of her speaking to trees. For the one who speaks to trees, speaks to life.
Chapter One Journey to the Capitol
"Rinna." Her ma says. "Why must you leave us time and time again?"
"Ma, you know I've been sick. It's the trees. They won't leave me alone. People Speaking isn't working to help balance like it used to."
"Very well, then. You'd best be on your way." Rin hugged her ma then. Loving the warmth that spread though her in her mother's embrace. "Goodbye my sweet girl." Rin left then, so she wouldn't be convinced to stay. She climbed onto her horse Fern and kicked her into a gallop.
Lady of trees. Oh no, she thought, here it comes. Rin. Rinna Lady Rin. Queen Rinna. She wills the voice away and just allows the presence of the trees to comfort her.
Beet, beet, beet. A leaf falls. Beet, beet, beet. Roots stretch. Beet, beet, beet. Hooves fall on our roots.
"Ho, there, Rin!" A city accent called. Rin searched in front of her. King Geric comes riding towards her. "I've got a message."
"Why did you come and not send a messenger?"
"Gilsa was lecturing me, on how to hold a baby." His face is defensive. "I know how to hold my boy."
"I am sure you do, now what was the message?"
"Our fire sisters would like your company in Kel."
"I was just headed into the city to see them, now I hear they're in another country." She sighs heavily.
"I've brought you a map." Geric pulls a rolled up parchment out of his bag and hands it hesitantly to Rin.
"I can read, silly city boy." She laughs as she grabs it from him. "Give Tusken a kiss for me! She calls, riding off in the opposite direction.
