Faith Is Blind
Chapter One~Chance
A lonely girl sat in her father's garden, absently plucking the strings of her guitar. The sun shown down, warming her skin, while the cool breeze lifted her hair and blew through the fruit trees she could not see. Were the blooms as beautiful as they smelled, as lovely as the fruit they would bear tasted? All these questions rolled through her mind.
"Rina?" Her face turned towards the sound of approaching footsteps.
"Here, Papa." Setting the instrument to the side, she stood uncertainly, using a walking stick to steady herself. "Is someone else here, Papa?"
"Yes, my dearest. This is Lord Elrond of Rivendell."
Lowering herself into a somewhat clumsy curtsy, her face moved back and forth, "My lord, it is an honor." Having heard of the Half-Elven King of Rivendell, she knew he commanded a bit of respect.
"The honor is mine, child. If I may, how long have you been blind?"
"Since I was three, my lord."
"And how old are you now?"
"Eight years, my lord."
He made a 'hmm' sound deep in his throat. She could feel him moving around her, silent as a feather on the wind. "Five years without sight. Do you remember being able to see?"
"A bit. Mostly just colors. I do not remember what my father looks like, or the ocean, or the flowers on the trees. I do not remember what my home looks like."
"And yet," her head turned when she heard the strings of her guitar sing, "You can play."
"I hear the notes, I feel them. It gives me comfort."
"I see."
"What do you think, my lord? Will you take her?"
"Take me? Take me where?" Both men could see the panic in her face. "Papa, what is going on?"
A hand descended on her shoulder, causing her to jump. It was gentle, a thin hand, not her father's. "You're father has asked me to evaluate your potential."
"Potential for what?"
"That I do not know yet, dear. But, I see something in you. Who was the girl's mother?"
There was a long silence, "My late wife was taken from us at the same time when Marina lost her sight. We were traveling through a forest. My wife...Marina suffered a blow to the head, shortly after, the physician told me that she would never be able to see."
Another go around, the air stirred gently, drying the tears on the young girls face. "She will go with me. Perhaps, in time, we may find a way to cure her ailment."
Her father let out a long breath. "Thank you, Lord Elrond. Valor bless you."
"Do not thank me yet, lest I fail. Tell the servants to pack her valuables, and only enough clothes to make the trip."
She hadn't realized that there was another person with them, not until a breeze fluttered by, carrying the scent of pine and rose water. Another hand, even smaller than Lord Elrond's took hers. "Come, little one." It was a woman. "I will help you choose what you will bring." They began to walk away.
"Wait, my guitar!" Marina felt her way back to the men, one hand outstretched. "May I bring my guitar?"
It was placed in her hand, "Of course. If it is your comfort, then you mustn't be parted with it."
"Thank you, my lord."