Disclaimer: "The Lord of the Rings" and all related items belong to J.R.R. Tolkien. This is merely an excursion into Middle Earth as it transitions from a land of hobbits and elves to the domain of man.
The Dark Forest – Part V
Tonight I learned that I have a penchant for saying the wrong things at the wrong time. I awoke to a loud shout and immediately leapt out of bed. Father was pacing down in the shop; pacing back and forth and cursing wildly, as though he had lost his mind. Mother had come down to him and was standing wrapped in her shawl at the foot of the staircase. She looked terrified. Even as I reached her, Melin came flying down the stairs behind me, and then two of my brothers.
Father looked up at us all and sneered. His face became like that of a wild beast, and I had the overwhelming urge to flee. But flee I did not. I stood behind Mother and listened while he spoke.
"Fools, the lot of you!" he shouted at us. "You who have been possessed! You have burnished these floors with my own blood; you have painted these walls with your foul scratches, your nightmares – curses befall thee! Curses!" His voice rose to a screaming pitch, and Melin clapped her hands over her ears. I had to listen, however – I could not tear my eyes away from this sight of my silent father, hair and beard tangled and eyes feverishly bright.
"You shall not be free! You will lose this peace!" he screamed, and then, suddenly, he turned about and ran through the shop door. Mother made no move to go after him, but simply stared at the spot where he had stood last. Melin, behind me, began to say something in a very low voice – words that I could not hear, repeated over and over and over again. I did not know what to say. My mother turned to look at me, her eyes wide and staring.
"Get thee gone," she said unseeingly. "Get thee back to bed!" she snapped.
I stared back at her, feeling suddenly angry. 'Why did you take out your temper on me, Mother? He would not be gone if you had not done so! Leave the dinner table for eating."
Almost before I had finished speaking I heard the sharp crack and felt the stinging as she slapped me. Her eyes blazing, she pushed past me and then broke down into tears. Melin's voice grew louder, and then into words of comfort. I did not turn around. I moved forward, over to the worktable, and leaned against it slightly as I caught my breath and tried to ignore the pain that was making my eyes water. Slowly, Melin, aided by my brothers, helped my mother go back to her sleeping room.
Now I am here, curled up beneath the worktable, hugging my knees, and staring at the wooden cross beams underneath the tabletop. I had always played there when I was a child. Now I cry there. Father is gone; Mother is angry – she was weeping. Oh, gods – why did I grow so furious? What was it that took hold of me? I shall cease this sobbing – I shall swallow it down. My nightdress is wet from tears. If only this were a nightmare that might also cease in the morning…