so scared of my footprints down destiny's path//
My mother often used the cliché, 'destiny is what you make of it'. I remember always repeating after her in a teasing tone as she had said it so many times. Now as this dangerous energy began to form inside of me, I started to take her words to heart.
Many days after the incident in the hall, I refused to talk to anyone, starving myself in the process. I remember feeling so weak at one stage that I had collapsed on the bed, too faint to even move. As I ran my hands feebly across my rake-thin body and felt my bones protruding through the sallow skin, I recall welcoming death to end my shallow misery.
At this point, I had stopped bothering to answer the concerned knocks on my door and faintly remember someone climbing through my window and yell worried instructions to someone else below. His melodious voice carried through the room as I drowsily cracked my eyes open. A flash of blonde hair met my sight as I collapsed back onto the bed with a soft moan.
I heard a click of the door and strong male hands that seemed strangely familiar and which smelt of peppermint gently lifted my body up and a warm liquid trickled soothingly down my throat. He murmured quiet and gentle words in a different language that slowly lulled me to sleep.
I awoke to a soft body next to mine, with strong arms encircling my waist. I froze in fright, wondering who the hell was lying next to me. I slowly opened my eyes and turned my head around, only to meet piercing blue eyes, similar to mine. I cried out in shock as he laid a finger on my lips, quieting me.
My eyes narrowed in gradually bubbling anger and I leapt out of the bed, away from the elf who I recognised to be Legolas.
"What do you think you're doing in my room?" I hissed.
The impudent elf merely raised an eyebrow and smirked at me.
"Well, Lady Summer," he spoke in a sly tone, "considering that I was the one who saved you from starvation, you should be thanking me."
I merely gaped at him, but before I had the chance to answer back, Arwen glided into the room with a handful of garments. When she noticed me standing, her mouth dropped in surprise as she dumped the pile of clothes on the bed next to Legolas and embraced me.
"Oh, Lady Summer, I was so worried about you! How are you feeling?" she asked in a rush.
I simply nodded my head in response, never taking my eyes off Legolas who lounged on my bed, rifling through the ornate garments that Arwen had brought in. Arwen gave me a long look before walking over to the bed and shooing Legolas out of the room.
"Leave you mischievous elf! We have lots to prepare for Lady Summer's training with my Grandmother."
"W-wh-what training?" I stuttered, nervously watching Legolas inch out the door and shut it, but not before shooting me a grin.
Arwen, once the elven prince had left, proceeded to dress me in one of the cream silk gowns as she explained.
"Lady Summer," she began.
"Just call me Summer," I interrupted in a muffled voice through the dress.
When my head peeked through the dress, she gave me a wide smile before continuing.
"Summer," she started again, "my grandmother, the Lady of the Lothlorien, wishes, and has been granted permission by the council, to guide you in the ways of magic to harness the incredible power in you."
I watched Arwen braid my hair as I sat deep in thought. I realised that unless I took these 'guidance lessons' with the Lady of Lothlorien, there was no possible way of returning home. But if I managed to learn magic…maybe I could reopen the stupid portal that brought me here.
I saw Arwen look at me in concern as she become aware of my bony figure in the mirror. I noticed what the days of locking myself in my room had done and I felt a lack of confidence wash through me.
What was I thinking? Learning to dance is one thing, but learning magic? I can't do this! Damn it!
But my thoughts halted when Arwen laid a comforting hand on my shoulder, looking at me through the mirror.
"Summer, have faith and you will succeed. Trust me."
I gave her a weak smile before she ushered me out of the room to the Lady of Lothlorien.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The soft murmur of the sparkling creek and the lush green scenery that surrounded us enchanted me. Soaring trees swayed their branches in the gentle breeze as the wind playfully swept my hair across my face. There seemed to be a strong pull in the thriving area as if…it was magic…
Smiling, I kept in pace behind Arwen as she led me through the splendour of the hidden grove. Pausing for a moment, I quickly knelt down to sniff a beautiful flower in a bed of blossoms. Inhaling the sweet scent, a dreamy look overcame my features before I rose to continue down the tidy path. I looked this way and that, taking in the splendour of this secret garden that had been cleverly concealed behind the castle hedge.
There was a small waterfall nearby, and I was surprised to see the flourishing vegetation flourishing around it. During the time of war, I did not think that the plants would have been able to survive. A pillar of marble wrapped in climbing ivy caught my attention as I gingerly traced the velvety path with my finger. Whispers suddenly filled my head and startled, I hurriedly pulled my finger away from the creeping plant, as if burnt, and continued to follow Arwen.
Having voices suddenly and constantly fill my head was disconcerting, and a frown appeared on my face. I hoped this Lady of Lothlorien would be able to provide me with some answers. Wrapped in thought, I bumped into Arwen, not noticing that she had stopped.
Muttering an apology, my words trailed off when I glimpsed out from behind Arwen to see the verdant surroundings of a blossoming pavilion. Flowers decorated the edges and towering trees continued to loom outside a ceiling of glass. Ivy swept down from the panelling, framing the thin pillars that supported the pergola.
Sitting on a carved bench, was the Lady I recognised from the council of my prophecy; the one who had spoken in my mind. If it was possible, her hair seemed to glow even brighter in the surrounding nature, and her blindingly white clothing appeared to emit its own aura.
I stared in disbelief as Arwen gracefully stepped into the pavilion and whispered a few words in what I discovered was Sindarin, an elven language. The Lady nodded and captured my eyes as she gazed out. Kissing her grandmother on the cheek, Arwen departed after shooting me a reassuring smile.
The Lady beckoned to me and I timidly walked towards the breathtaking pavilion. As I stepped in, my foot barely lifted from the last step, an intense feeling engulfed me and I gasped in shock. Glancing at the Lady of Lothlorien, I found that only her eyes held emotion as she motioned for me to sit on the bench across from her.
As I settled into the wooden seating, her clear voice filled the pavilion.
"Laire, you were born into this world for a specific purpose. It matters not that Sauron has been defeated; evil will always remain in this world," she said, a sad tone slightly colouring her voice, "Thus, I have chosen to take you on as my scholar, to train you in the ways of elven magic and to discover the true power in you."
I sat in thought, absentmindedly folding the creases on my dress as thoughts rampaged through my mind. If I started this, there would be no going back. Looking up, I saw the Lady gazing at me expectantly. I nodded my agreement and an expression of approval appeared on her face.
To begin, we both knelt on the floor of the pavilion as she began to instruct me on meditation. Shutting my eyes, I allowed my mind to roam free as the Lady's voice began to dim in the background. Wandering the expanse of my mind, I discovered that my subconscious had divided up the good memories from the bad, storing them in different areas.
Suddenly two paths formed in my 'mind-sight', one leading to an open field of blooming flowers, and the other down a dank corridor. Fearing the alternative, I treaded into the open field to find my mother and my younger self, spinning and dancing joyfully in the meadow, occasionally collapsing in giggles.
A smile appeared on my face and I stretched out a hand to touch the memory, but before I could, the image fizzled out and was replaced with a picture of my father when he still loved my mother. He stood laughing with her before picking her up and twirling her around. I could feel the onslaught of tears come and I let out a sob of grief and frustration.
This was when the Lady of Lothlorien pulled me out of my meditation. Startled at the change of atmosphere, I blinked hazily, tears still forming in the corners of my eyes, before her crystal voice pierced through my muddled brain, "You will have to face him, Laire. Running will not solve anything."
A look of compassion and understanding had clouded her features. I kept my head down and allowed a long silence to spread between us before I whispered in reply.
"But I'm so scared."
I felt her thin fingers on my chin, lifting my head up to meet her wise and acute eyes.
"So are all who walk down destiny's path blindfolded - but you will learn to use your other senses to guide you through, for that is the key to survival in this world."