Sivi did not feel the jerking or the cold. She only experienced joy beyond
measure. She seemed to float within a river of light and stars. Her mother
was with her, holding her close.
Sivi let out a sigh that echoed across the universe and all its times, a sigh born of so much happiness that it caused her pain.
"My love," said her mother, in a voice that rang like a shower of little bells, "it was well done. But it is not finished. There are trials yet to come. Will you face them? Or will you choose to return to us now, in honour?"
"Mother," Sivi murmured sadly.
"I miss you, little gem," her mother whispered through beautiful crystal tears. "I want you home. You and your father."
In agony, Sivi managed to say what she knew within herself was right.
"No, Mother... Do not bring me home yet. There is yet more to face, you said, and I will face it. But I love you, Mother. And you know that Father loves you."
Her mother smiled with a radiance that shamed the stars.
"It is well done, my gem. I love you, too. I will send you to the city I love best. The Eldarin Star-Dome may not welcome you this time. Be wise, and be silent. Above all, my love, remember the Flame, remember the wind, remember the light, and remember me."
"Well I will, my mother."
Sivi let out a sigh that echoed across the universe and all its times, a sigh born of so much happiness that it caused her pain.
"My love," said her mother, in a voice that rang like a shower of little bells, "it was well done. But it is not finished. There are trials yet to come. Will you face them? Or will you choose to return to us now, in honour?"
"Mother," Sivi murmured sadly.
"I miss you, little gem," her mother whispered through beautiful crystal tears. "I want you home. You and your father."
In agony, Sivi managed to say what she knew within herself was right.
"No, Mother... Do not bring me home yet. There is yet more to face, you said, and I will face it. But I love you, Mother. And you know that Father loves you."
Her mother smiled with a radiance that shamed the stars.
"It is well done, my gem. I love you, too. I will send you to the city I love best. The Eldarin Star-Dome may not welcome you this time. Be wise, and be silent. Above all, my love, remember the Flame, remember the wind, remember the light, and remember me."
"Well I will, my mother."