Chapter 35

I opened my eyes slowly. "Where am I?"

"Ah, good, you are awake." A familiar voice told me.

"What?" Then I cringed. My head was hurting. "What is wrong with me?"

"Not as much since I first found you and your stupid dog outside my door." That chastising voice was so familiar, why couldn't I place it?

"Well what was wrong with me then and what is wrong with me now?"

"Now, very little, actually you probably just need to lay down for an hour and eat something. However, when I found you, you were much worse off. You were scratched up, probably from your mutt dragging you here, you were crying and whining deliriously you hadn't eaten in probably a few days, you were also badly dehydrated. The only reason I am not angry about you being here right now is for the simple fact your dog brought you here and you most certainly did not consciously choose to come."

"Okay…" I said puzzled squeezing my eyes shut even though I very much wanted to look at the woman talking to me.

"One must wonder what could put a person into such a state though?"

"It is rather complicated, not something to share with strangers." I managed to say.

She laughed. "Alas you do not remember me? Or perhaps you intend to play petty games? Which is it I wonder?" That tone she used I recognized instantly.

Opening my eyes I croaked out, "Morrigan?"

"Ah, so you were just delirious." Then in feigning a hurt voice, "Because if you had forgotten me, well I do not know how I would have gone on!" My stomach growled. "Here, sit up and eat this."

I slowly edged up and taking the bowl I peered into it, "It is simple soup, nothing more, now eat." Morrigan commanded. And I did, when I was finished it was easier to think, breathe, and be upright.

"Why did you take me in?"

She sighed. "If I had left you there to die it would have been a rotting smelling mess and your stupid dog probably would have tried to live here, and I couldn't have that." I looked at her and she continued, "And of course I debated upon throwing you out the door the moment you gained consciousness."

"But you have not…" I said thoughtfully.

"No I have not, although I have little knowledge as to why."

"I do." I told her defiantly.

She chuckled, "Oh do you now? This shall be most intriguing, please, explain."

"Well I remember something along the lines of this being said:

''Tis a curious thing. I do not know how to describe it.'

'What? Is something wrong?'

'No, nothing is wrong, it…is a little embarrassing to admit, in fact. I am reminded of our first meeting in the wilds. I had been in animal form for some time watching your progress. I was intrigued to see such a formidable woman, obviously more potent than the men she traveled with. Yet I resented it when Flemeth assigned me to travel with you. I assumed that, at best, you would drive me from you company as soon as we left the wilds.'

'Why would I do that?'

'I am aware that I have… little talent for forming friendships. To put it lightly, 'Tis something I know nothing of, nor ever thought I needed. Yet when I discovered Flemeth's plans you did not abandon me. Whatever your reasons you fought what must have been a terrible battle without hope of real reward'

'I did it because I am your friend.'

'And that is what I do not understand. Of all the things I could have imagined would have resulted when Flemeth told me to go with you the very last would have been that I would find in you a friend. Perhaps even a sister. I want you to know that while I may not always prove… worthy… of your friendship I will always value it.'

She sighed, "Why must you remind me of such unimportant idle talk. surely there are more important things to be discussed."

"Perhaps, but I would rather discuss this."

"Simply because you wish to annoy me?"

I laughed, "Partially perhaps, but mainly because I would hate if the conversation took a turn towards me."

"Ah I see, well let us take that turn anyhow, have you done as I told?"

"Excuse me?" I asked puzzled.

"So that entire conversation sticks with you word for word but in the few moments before possible death you remember nothing?"

"Do you mean after you said no matter what you would be gone?"

"Yes, you said 'and If I die?' so I replied ' Then I would mourn the passing of a friend. Allow me to say only one thing before we go. I knew nothing of friendship before we met, and I will always consider you such'"

"I remember now, you told me 'Live well, my friend. Live gloriously. Now let us see this finally done."

"So have you done as I told?"

"Mostly, it has been troublesome."

"For someone of your stature? I hardly can believe it, but people can be troubling I suppose, even to their hero."

"Yes, well, thank you for saving me."

"I still do not know why."

"Because I am your friend." I said meaningfully. Right now it would seem Morrigan is my only friend in the world but I am violating a promise to her by being here.

"I suppose so."

"However, not a very good one if I do not keep my promise to never interfere in your new life."

"Yes, you should be going, if you are well enough."

"I am," I got up and pulled on my pack. "I have two questions however."

"What do you wish to know?"

"Well where is D-O-G?"

"Outside, where he belongs, I will not have my home smelling of wet dog."

"Alright, and I am not sure how to ask where I am without knowing where I am."

"I see, you mean if you ask where you are then you know where I am as I asked you never to know but If you do not ask you may become lost. I will just tell you then that civilization is in the direction where the trees seem thinnest."

"Okay, it was good to see you again Morrigan, even though it never happened." I said telling her indiscreetly that I would wipe this from my memory and she needn't worry of anymore interference. She nodded, showing me to the door. I stepped outside and ruffled D-O-G's ears.

"Lenobia," she said before I could leave, I turned towards her. "Thank you." I gave her a puzzled look.

"What did I do?"

"You remained my friend and did not ask questions of things I did not wish to discuss and for that I thank you. I imagine it must have been hard." I smiled and nodded, because she was right, I wanted to know about the Old God Child she surely must have given birth to or something, she was showing no signs of pregnancy but not once did I hear or see an infant.

"be well." I told her and left heading towards the brightest, thinnest part of the forest.

"Well D-O-G," I said once Morrigan's hut was out of view, "It has certainly been interesting hasn't it?" He barked in response.

I was contemplating all the things that I would have to deal with when I returned when I saw them. The two children in my dream, the evil ones, or at least the ones I thought were evil. They were standing right in front of me. They looked to be about 7 or 8 years of age. They were both very pale with bright green almost yellow eyes. The girl had long brown hair in pigtails that hug below her ears, her hair reaching just below her chest, she was dressed in a pale white dress. The boy next to her had the same pale brown hair cut to a regular length and he was dressed in a white shirt with faded brown shorts, they were both barefoot and angelically beautiful. But because of what they whispered next I could not fall for their innocent looks,

"join us, Lenobia, Join us."