Prologue – The Diary



.How many wounds before you scream?
.How many sunsets will you see?.

Tears fell like an unbidden prayer, awakening the darker tones of the soft earth as pale hands clutched desperately at a leather bound diary as if it were a lifeline. A child's small frame shook in wretched sobs as she was hunched over in quiet defeat, ebon strands of silk hung limply over her frail shoulders underneath the lonely moon and surrounding forest.

Alone…

"How could you leave me? You promised…" the girl rasped as her throat was sore from the screaming she had done before she had fled to their sanctuary, their small Eden that was detached from the rest of the world – Valïnor. A clandestine place that they had both sought refuge in, a wonderland that was made up of a simple clear lake encircled in the arms of cherry blossom trees, with nothing but the endless expanse of glorious sky above them. It was where they had first chanced upon each other – two idealistic peasant children in a world that had casted them aside.

I'm all alone again…

Sickly white arms dotted with off-shades of purple and blue bruises pulled vainly at the pathetic excuse of a coat over her freezing body. It had been another bitter night with her abusive parents that scorned her presence and she had fled to their hideaway knowing she would find the homeless boy that she had befriended. Haunted blue eyes that seemed far too old to belong to such a young girl raked over the ginger-scented page for perhaps the hundredth time…the first entry in the diary…

Kaoru,

I have left without telling you beforehand for I know you would've cried and your tears would've changed my mind. I am now an apprentice training for war. Forgive me for stealing your favorite blue ribbon, but I have taken it as a memento of you, and in return I give you this diary in remembrance of me. Please don't cry for I fight this war for you and you alone. Shed no more tears…we will meet again – right here in Valïnor…

Tortured fingers slammed the diary shut, then regretfully traced over the cover in a gentle caress before sliding it open once more. Lies…how could they ever meet again? A frantic shake of her head as she shut her eyes closed, she desperately took in deep breaths of cold air, forcing her doubts to the darkest recesses of her mind. She will cry no more…

Come back to me…Shinta.

One last crystalline tear slid off her porcelain cheek in a silent scream of wishful thinking and melded into the first entry…

.Promises of yesterday-- the eternity of tomorrow.
.I'm two steps behind with a reason to believe.

I'll be waiting…



Countless miles away, a boy with lavender eyes and crimson hair picked up a sword and never looked back.






Author's Notes - To my lovely readers...

This is my first story in which I am writing solo. Many of you may recognize me as one of the two ladies for the joint account 'Maids of Lorraine' - which I share with the brilliant authoress Li Laine. (Check out our co-piece 'The Art of Misconception'!) To Meet You in Valeanor is a decidedly darker story than TAoM, so please be kind - (though constructive criticism is always most welcome). I cannot begin to convey to you dear readers how much authors (unless you are one yourself) appreciate and look forward to readng your reviews. I am, of course, no exception; I go through every single review and read every single word - and it makes me blessedly happy when I read that you enjoy what I write. Thus, please review!

Aside from that, I hope you've enjoyed the Prologue, the installment for Chapter 1 shall be due shortly. (it is already finished and in the process of editing).