CHAPTER VI: CONSTRUCTION OF NIGHTMARES

Teroth felt his heart freeze at the blazing treetops that swept over the forest in only a matter of time. In only a matter of seconds, the safety he had thought they had found had been destroyed. Keeping Aelinor close, the prophet rose to his feet and proceeded to pull Aelinor back up and adjusting their veil to cover their nose and mouth.

'Try to keep your breathing in check, alright 'Linor?' He murmured as he wrapped an arm round their shoulder. 'I know the fear you feel, I'm afraid as well,' he said as he placed a hand on Aelinor's head to keep their head down, 'but we need to find an escape.'

Keeping his own head low, Teroth began leading Aelinor through the forest, his eyes trained on the forest floor as they wove through trees and shrubberies, their once pristine white robes becoming blackened by ash and soot. But through it all, all Teroth focused on was Aelinor's safety, his grip never loosening and his attention to them never wavering as he guided them to where he hoped all would be safe.

A river was bound to be nearby to signify the border of the homes of the hamadryads and dryads and he highly doubted that they would allow this force of destruction to reach the trees that housed the hamadryads' spirits.

'Almost there, 'Linor.' He gasped out, coughing as the smoke of the forest fire entered his mouth. 'The river is not far off.' He did not know that. He couldn't. But he could almost swear he could hear the rushing waters of one close by.

He could tell that Aelinor was already weakening with every step they took and he could not blame them, even he was struggling to breathe past the suffocating smoke and the fire's heat. Gritting his teeth, Teroth sped up their walk further praying to the Seafarer for guidance to safety in this unknown part of Visal. He did not know how long they had been running through the blazing forest but Teroth knew his own exhaustion was about to catch up to him when he stumbled over a tree root which led to him losing his hold of Aelinor, sending both of them sprawling onto the forest floor.

Struggling to rise, Teroth pushed himself back up and rushed to Aelinor's side, helping them sit up.

'Are you alright, 'Linor?' He asked softly, placing a hand on their shoulder.

Aelinor nodded, their eyes looking almost vacant for a short moment before it focused on him and they offered him a smile that barely reached their eyes.

'I think you found the water at least.' They mumbled.

Confused by what Aelinor told him, Teroth looked at Aelinor carefully before he noted how their head was tilted slightly towards the left. Trusting Aelinor's senses in this, the young prophet got to his feet and tried to see through the blaze of the forest.

'Stay here, keep your head down.' He heard himself tell them, a hand coming up to cover his nose and mouth. 'I'll be back.'

As he made to leave, he felt a tug on his robes and he looked at Aelinor once more, seeing their dark eyes and he saw the fear in them.

'Be careful, 'Roth.' They told him, their voice tight - whether it was with emotion or the fire's smoke, he will never know.

'When have I not been?' He replied, laying his hand upon Aelinor's veil for a moment before pulling away.

~~oOoOoOoOo~~

It took a bit of walking for him but he did manage to find the river. He would have to return to Aelinor to lead them there but the assurance that they would be able to find safety soon filled him with a manic sort of relief that he felt a relieved, frantic laugh break through his lips when he caught sight of the river that was rushing through the forest, unbothered by the flames and unmarred by the falling debris. No doubt naiads live there. This means that they must not be far from where the forest's guardians lived.

Running his fingers through his hair, Teroth blew out a breath.

'Guardians of the water borders and residents of the river, hear my plea.' The prophet said as he knelt down on the riverbank and dipped his hands into the water. 'Visal had fallen. My companion and I seek sanctuary among the forest's guardians until dawn's coming.'

Not having the time to spare to wait for the naiads' response, Teroth stood back up and ran off to return to Aelinor.

'Linor!' He shouted, his voice almost being carried away by the roaring flames.

Dodging falling branches ablaze with the salamanders' flames, Teroth hissed when the flame and cinders scorched his bare feet. Pushing past the pain, Teroth continued to run until he caught sight of Aelinor's familiar figure. Slowing in his steps, Teroth watched as Aelinor got up, clearly preparing themself to search for him. He doubted he had been gone long but he knew Aelinor worried too much, they feared too much.

It was impossible not to read them easily after everything they had gone through.

'Linor.' He called out, making his voice as loud as he can, a hand coming up to offer to the white-haired prophet for surely their eyes would be burning due to the smoke. 'I found-'

'Boy, behind you!' Teroth froze when he heard the vaguely familiar voice of their short golden-haired companion and he looked around in search for him when he felt a burning pain explode at his back.

He did not realise he had screamed when that pain had struck him.

~~oOoOoOoOo~~

I watched in horror as I saw Teroth crumple upon the ground when a blast of fire struck him. My lungs felt like they were hardly taking in anything anymore and I felt fear pulsing through me as I scrambled over to him, turning him upon his side and pushing his hair away from his face. I noticed how alert he seemed though his face crumpled into an expression of pain. Knowing I had no time to waste, I pulled him as far as I can, bringing my attention to wherever that fireblast came from.

In the distance, the figure of a salamander approached us.

The fear within me grew to the point where breathing was an impossibility and I tried to get back while pulling Teroth along. I could feel his weak attempts at moving away by himself but the fire that had struck him seemed to be paining him enough to hinder his movements. I held fast and kept my hold on him as tightly as I could without aggravating the burn on his back when I felt a hand come upon me. Screaming, I turned to try and fight whoever had come only to meet familiar greenish-blue eyes.

'Sir Thráinul?'

He nodded grimly and looked at Teroth who met his gaze as if they were communicating.

'Child, we haven't any more time,' he told me as his hold on me tightened minutely, 'we must leave.'

'Teroth, he-he's injured,' I managed to tell him through stutters, panic gripping me once more, 'I can't move him, I might-'

'Child.' Sir Thráinul cut me off, his eyes expressing an emotion I knew but never liked to see. 'You would not have to move him.'

Horror gripped my heart when I heard his words. I understood his meaning and I knew that if I had just...detached then I would have agreed it was the best plan. To ensure one of us survived, then it would be best to leave the injured. Teroth told me this some decades back.

Ever since I had first come into King Adanion's Halls, Teroth had been among the first to greet me. Granted, his greeting was a small smile and a quick bow before he resumed his training but the fact that he took to accompanying me whenever he was not busy with his training as a prophet meant a great deal to me. He was a quiet companion at first, glancing at me on occasion but saying nothing as he made up his own projects to busy himself with while I tried to adapt to a life within marble walls with my touch cut away from the earth for fear of summoning a vision I cannot make sense of. It took me a year to grow close to him and when we became friends, Teroth became a constant to me. It was near impossible to imagine what life as a prophet would have been like had I not met him.

And now the thought of leaving him to die filled me with horror and grief.

I did not realise I had begun weeping until I felt Teroth's shaking hand using my veil to wipe away my tears.

'Linor,' he whispered, his other hand coming to hold me by the arm, 'you must leave.' Putting on a brave face I knew was a lie, Teroth looked into my eyes and he let out a soft chuckle. 'I will be fine.'

'No.' I replied, my eyes trained on the fire-breather as they came upon me. 'Not if it means your death.'

'M'imnu Mahal!' Sir Thráinul proceeded to try and pull me away but I yanked my arm back and tried to support my friend best I could as he rose on unsteady feet. 'Child, this is no time to be hard-headed!' Sir Thráinul tried again, his tone almost pleading.

'I will not leave Teroth here to die!' I snapped, surprised at my own conviction.

Meeting Teroth's gaze, I saw the surprise in him as well but I held my tongue. After a few moments, Teroth looked at Sir Thráinul once more before he grimaced and held the centauroi sword as tightly as he could.

'I had always wondered what the scent of Seers was.' The salamander said casually as he came closer, black sword dripping red with the blood of Kind Lady only knew the name of, their golden eyes flashing with malice as they looked at me and then at Teroth. 'Only, I realised your scents are still the same in that it smells like fresh flora at the time of its blooming.'

The fact that they spoke so casually as if they were discussing the weather left me feeling ill. But still, I held onto Teroth as tightly as I could.

'Linor, don't be stubborn.' Teroth gasped out, as he pushed himself away from me. 'Your new friend will keep you safe. He is a trained warrior.'

'You will not save us any time by sacrificing yourself, 'Roth!' I retorted as I desperately reached for him to try and pull him along.

Teroth stepped away from me.

'Don't.'

His voice had become like a tone that was a glass partition between us. It was still his voice but it held none of his warmth but the cold detachment every prophet was taught to have when advising the members of the king's court.

Distantly, I could hear Sir Thráinul urging me to escape with him but my attention was focused on Teroth who looked like he was ready to fight the fire-breather that approached us.

'King Antagusz would be happy to have two who are gifted with the Sight.' Pausing, the fire-breather laid eyes on Sir Thráinul and for a few moments, I could have sworn there was confusion on their face. 'Granted, your pet might have to be slaughtered as he brings no use to the betterment of Kholis. For that, I offer my deepest apologies.'

They sounded almost sincere in that apology.

Focusing their attention on Teroth who had brought his sword up, most likely ready to block any attacks from the salamander, the fire-breather smiled. 'You are a brave friend, Seer.' They told him, their tone gentling as they approached. 'But you know no blood has to be spilt tonight.' They said coaxingly, their voice faltering for a moment. 'Save for one, of course.'

Something in Teroth's posturing changed then.

'You're right.' He agreed. 'Only one will have to die tonight.'

The salamander soldier tilted their head curiously. 'Do you mean to threaten me, little Seer?'

'No.'

~~oOoOoOoOo~~

It was...inevitable.

'I mean to die tonight and watch my companions escape.' Teroth said, his voice quiet.

'Teroth, no!' Aelinor cried out in protest.

Teroth turned his head in Aelinor's direction and he smiled at them. Though he held no fondness for the fire-breathers or their kingdom, Teroth knew enough of Kholis and its culture that they follow a code that would grant him a final farewell should they request it and should those they wish to speak to are near at hand. He had said his piece, he had expressed his intention of dying, he prayed this soldier would not be as savage as their Kholisin brethren had been so far.

'Ere our battle start, fire-breather, will you grant me time with my friends?' He asked.

'I cannot promise I shall allow your fellow Seer to escape but the wish of a dead man such as you must be honoured.' The soldier replied readily, bowing their head before stepping back, their serpentine eyes trained on Teroth.

The prophet nodded and approached Aelinor and their friend, kneeling to pull the golden-haired fellow into a swift embrace.

Before the golden-haired fellow had arrived, Teroth feared that Aelinor would be felled with him. It was an unavoidable future that he did not need to use his sight for at all to foresee it. But then, the short fellow came running in and things became a bit hopeful for Teroth.

'Watch after 'Linor for me.' He murmured softly. 'They mean more to me than my own breath.'

The fellow nodded. 'Before you die, I suppose it is only right you call me by my name then.' He said gruffly. 'I am Frerin, Son of Thráin, Son of Thrór.'

Teroth smiled and bowed his head. 'An honour to have met you and to have had my nose broken by you.'

Rising, Teroth looked at Aelinor who looked pleadingly at him, their hands immediately finding his sleeves and tugging him towards them. Teroth followed without comment and allowed Aelinor to embrace him, his hands coming up to return the gesture.

The fact that he had seen many possible paths when he had first seen them, the fact that they triggered his ability to see into the far future upon their gaze meeting, he had so much to thank them for. Not in way of teaching or in anything technical, but they had become someone dear to him. Someone, who had given him a glimpse of a future where he could be happy even though he doubted it coming to fruition. Looking into their eyes, still dark as earth unlike his formerly light blue eyes turned grey by the Lady of Mirrors' influence and he felt a sombre smile grace his lips.

'I think this,' he said softly, a hand coming up to cup Aelinor's face, 'this sight I shall miss the most.'

'Don't say that, 'Roth.' Aelinor replied, flinching away from him with grief painting their voice. 'Don't say that as if you are saying goodbye.'

'Perhaps I am.' He replied. 'But first, I wish to give you a parting gift, 'Linor.'

Aelinor looked at him with wide eyes as he leant down and though he hesitated for a brief moment, he pulled Aelinor's veil up to their cheek before planting a soft kiss against the cloth that now smelled like fire and ash. As his touch came upon their veil, Teroth froze and he felt his breath stop for only a moment as quick glimpses of things he did not understand flitted through his mind.

A raging river.

A mountain.

A red-scaled dragon.

A chamber filled with gold and jewels.

A battle.

A stone with starlight in its very core.

A dark cavern filled with grotesque creatures that turned his stomach.

And through every single image, Teroth had one constant in it.

All he kept seeing was Aelinor. Their image was the clearest of all of it.

Gripping Aelinor tighter, he quickly leant close to their ear.

'Failed Prophet of Visal you may be, a kingdom's glory you shall see. Take you the Lost Prince of a Lonely Kingdom. Succeed in peace, life and prosperity shall come.'

The words that spilt from his lips were not his own but when he finished speaking, he found himself unable to feel any fear about whatever it was he had seen. The assurance of seeing Aelinor live was the only thing he needed.

Looking at Aelinor a final time, Teroth stepped away and turned his attention to the Kholisin soldier who had watched the exchange with curiosity burning in their eyes. The sight of the fire-breather was enough to remind Teroth of the burn they had inflicted upon him.

The soldier's flame was enough to incapacitate him, but Aelinor will be alright at least. He did not need to survive.

He just needed to live long enough to ensure their safe escape.

'Are you finished, Seer?' They asked.

'Yes.'

'You're not exactly an optimistic sort, are you?' The salamander asked, amused. 'Not after all those tearful farewells.'

Teroth felt a humourless smile grace his lips. 'In this instance, I am not.'

'Don't fret, Seer.' They told him almost consolingly. 'You shall see your friend soon enough.'

'I would rather die than have you lay a single clawed hand upon them.' Teroth replied heatedly.

As his words came to an end, his fight with the fire-breather began. Swords clashed, force was put upon one another as they tried to push the blades close to cutting the flesh of their foe, but none of that mattered to the prophet. He did not know his form, nor did he know the proper way of swordplay. All he remembered was the childhood playfights he would get into with his brothers and how they would try to correct him just so he could win some rounds. In another time, one filled with love and laughter, Teroth could hear his parents' laughter as he would chase his elder brothers through the house with a wooden sword. In this time, he ran and evaded the blows of his opponent, hissing in pain as the obsidian blade cut him, red staining his white robes. From the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of Aelinor and their friend running into the direction of the river and he felt more sure that they would be safe. Strengthening his attacks, Teroth cried out when the fire-breather dug their nails into his arm just as the prophet was beginning to overpower the reptilian creature.

'No offence, meant Seer.' They told him, their voice coming out in a quiet hiss. 'But I am quite adamant that I bring my king either you or your friend.'

'I would sooner die before you touch them.' The prophet snarled.

A curious expression flitted across the soldier's face. 'And if I touch you?'

Teroth did not answer and instead, he brought his blade down against the fire-breather who met his blade with their own, a bored expression upon their face.

'You have not answered my question, Seer.' The soldier said patiently. 'What will you do if I set my sights on you?'

~~oOoOoOoOo~~

The naiads found us while we were running and they took us to the other side where we were greeted by a hamadryad who introduced herself to us by the name of Limnoreia, lady wife of the dryad leader, Ambrosius. She then gave us some spare clothes she had hidden away within the willow tree she resided in before she guided us to a river where we can bathe and wash our clothes.

All throughout, I remained mute.

Sir Thráinul had accompanied me to the river and I merely sat at the bank, dipping my feet into its still waters while I gazed ahead. I was not weeping, my heart was not aching, but I felt blank. As if my mind was unsure about my own emotions. Like it did not know what to make of the sudden loss of my home, my occupation as a Prophet of Visal and most of all, how my mind felt like it had not even understood the family I had lost. Tugging my veil off, I let out a shuddering breath and set the cloth aside.

'Sir Thráinul?' I asked, voice far too quiet for even the wind to carry.

My companion - who was seated beside me - turned his attention to me. I was not sure what I wanted to ask him, but I returned my gaze to the waters and its lifeless calm.

'How is Oracles Chasianna and Halor and Prophet Dagadan?' I asked.

What I had asked seemed to have had an effect on my companion as Sir Thráinul grew quiet for a moment before he adjusted his seating to give his attention to me completely.

'This other oracle, a fellow named Aralas, came to us while we were fending off some of those worms that had destroyed your kingdom and he took charge in disposing our foes before shouting at one of us to fetch you both. Your oracles and friend were quite safe when I had left.' He told me, his tone gentle.

I nodded and lapsed back into silence. Knowing Chasianna, Halor, Dagadan and even Aralas to be safe, I wanted to take comfort from it but the mere mention of their safety brought me nothing. I was just there, registering they were alright and still feeling this emptiness I cannot seem to claw my way out of.

I broke my silence in my search for a way to understand what I was feeling.

'You mentioned that you had lost your home.' I began hesitantly. 'Were you also overtaken by numbness?'

Sir Thráinul responded with silence before he took in a sharp breath. 'I wept actually.' He told me, his voice hushed. 'My elder brother, Thorin, he was furious. My sister had wept with me. The only one that had become almost catatonic for a time was Adad.'

It did not take too much to take a leap and assume he meant his father. I nodded in response to his tale and leant down to dip my fingers in the cool water.

'And...have you lost someone?' I continued. I felt my throat tighten but I did not pay it any mind.

Sir Thráinul was silent for a moment.

'Not to the extent you seem to have.' He replied. 'This boy, Teroth, he meant something to you?'

I nodded. 'He was my first friend in Earthsummit Keep.' I explained, my fingers interlacing with one another as I spoke. 'I was born in a town three towns away from the capital, Oakenhelm, I've never gone to the capital before until I manifested my...ability.'

'Your gift.'

A bitter laugh escaped me and I shook my head. 'I hardly think the inability to embrace or touch someone would qualify as a gift but if you must.' Growing silent once more, I drew my legs up and hid my feet under my robes. 'King Adanion sent his guards to offer me safety and I agreed as long as he sent an allowance to my family as I had been shouldering my family's expenses ever since I had turned seven hundred and thirty-one years old.'

Silence.

'And how old would that be in the manner of Men?'

Confusion swept through me and I looked at my companion with furrowed brows. 'Men?' I echoed. 'The male Earthborn Elfs age the same rate every other Earthborn ages.'

Whatever I said must have been enough for Sir Thráinul to come to an understanding and he sighed. 'Who among the races can live between eighty to ninety years?' He asked instead.

'The fauns can live to eighty-five years while the centauroi can live to ninety years.' I responded immediately. 'Though these are the most familiar to me seeing as they are in Visal the most even if there are other races to be found, especially in the continents beyond Eulimios.'

My companion nodded. 'Alright, in faun years, how old would you have been at seven hundred and thirty-one?'

'Thirteen years old or so.' I replied slowly, confused why Sir Thráinul had had to ask me such a thing.

I heard him say something harsh in his mother tongue. 'You were a mere child.' He told me, his voice harsh. 'What were your parents doing?'

I shrugged.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: And here we have Teroth's chapter closing for the time being, Aelinor trying to process everything and Frerin just doing the best he can. I hope you guys enjoyed this and please don't hesitate to leave a comment as it keeps me very motivated to keep writing!

TRANSLATION/S:

M'imnu Mahal! - In Mahal's name!