Entry the Eighth - Deep in the Forest

The trees surround me, and I recognize where I am! This is the forest from my vision in the Lady's mirror. I must be close to finding out why I am here. Surely the answer lies in this beautiful wood. The tribe is moving at an easy pace; there is no hurry. We often stop in the afternoons to sleep and walk most of the night. Everywhere I go, I sense some unseen joy among the trees. The flowers and bushes ripple with conspiratorial glee and will give me no clue to their cause for excitement. I want so badly to see what has brought the flora such happiness, but to seek the answer would seriously endanger my cover. Lucha stalks me at every turn, but even she must sleep.

The plants here have such stories, and I could stay here forever listening to their tales of elder days. I wish I could have been here to see them. They have told me of the great evil which has been destroyed. Sauron's Ring of Power. The details they give are sketchy at best, but they convey the emotion involved in a way words have only dreamed of. Often they sing me to sleep, for they see what I truly am. My looks do not fool them.

On another front, I am now a skilled warrior. Tiny skirmishes break out among us from time to time, and through these I have become great. I fear my face has become somewhat scarred as well as the rest of me. I must get out of this tribe soon, or I will never pass for an elf again. Magar says we draw nigh to a great river, which runs south to an elven civilization. I will 'drown' there once we reach it, and then I shall be on my own. I will sorely miss him, for beneath the façade lies a kind soul, albeit a tortured one. Reb and Girk also will be missed. They have been great friends, and see me almost as a younger sister. They spoke true wisdom when they said 'even the greatest warrior was once a baby' and that is why they sought to protect me, that I might grow into something unshakeable. I almost trust them with the truth, but it is too risky for them to know. They are as loveable as they are stupid, and they may let it slip by accident. Certainly Magar will tell them after I'm gone? That is the least he can do to ease their grief, and it will be of no consequence to the tribe what I am after my escape, or will it? I must not endanger my cover whilst I am still here. I guess some loves must be forgotten...