- Chapter 3: Father knows best - (Belinda P.O.V)
In her tower, Belinda was giggling in excitement. Gandalf smiled at how the young girl seemed so determined.
-This is it, Gandalf. She said, picking him up. I'm ready to finally ask him.
-Belinda! A powerful voice came from outside. Let down your hair!
-Wish me luck... She whispered to her lizard friend before hidding him under the tapestry.
-Belinda, dear, I'm not getting any younger! Saruman called again from downstairs.
-Coming, father! The young woman said, peeking out the window.
The hobbit lass passed her hair across a hook that dangled in front of her window before throwing it down. The man grabbed it and held it in a loop where he placed his foot. Belinda began to drag him upwards, groaning at the heavy weight of her father. After a few moments, Saruman was at the same level of the window and climbed in, pulling his daughter's hair after him.
-Oh, my sweet Belinda, where do you find the strenght in you to do this every day of the year? I do not want you to overwork yourself. He said, holding her shoulder.
-No, father, it's quite alright. She assured him.
-Then why did it take so long? He chuckled, pinching her nose. I'm just teasing, my sweet.
Belinda chuckled nervously as her father moved away to examine his reflection on the mirror. Belinda took a deep breath and tried to tell her parent what she wanted, but was interrupted before she could utter a word.
-Belinda, do you know what I see in this mirror? I see a talented young person, strong, fearless and capable. He said, and the young woman smiled. Oh, look, there's you as well! He exclaimed before laughing good heartedly. I'm simply jesting, dear. Do not take what I say too seriously.
-Right... Um, well, father... I-I wanted to tell you that...
-Daugther dear, I'm feeling a bit tired. He told her as he noticed a few gray stripes in his dark mane. Why don't you sing me a song, and then we'll talk.
-Oh! Of course!
Belinda then hurried of to push a plush chair in the middle of the room. Saruman watched her with a puzzled expression, wondering what she was so excited about. Belinda shoved him down on the chair and ran to grab her own, along with a brush. She placed her hair with the brush on her fathers lap, sat and began singing quickly.
Flowergleamandglow,letyourpowershine,maketheclockreverse,bringbackwhatoncewasmine,healwhathasbeenhurt,changethefate'sdesing,savewhathasbeenlost,bringbackwhatoncewasmine,whatoncewasmine.
-W-Wait! Saruman tried to slow her down but gave up and quickly brushed her hair and he grew younger in a flash. Belinda!
-So, as I was saying, tomorrow is a very important day! And for a very simple reason; It's my birthday! She exclaimed, latching on her father's arm. Ta-da!
-Nice try, young lady. But I distinctly remember that we had it a year ago. He chuckled.
-Birthday's all have a great quality and that is that they come back every year! The young woman reminded him. Father, I'll be 33 tomorrow, and I was wondering if... W-Well i-if I could... If I-I...
-Please Belinda, do not mumble. You know I can't stand you mumbling. Mumble, mumble, mumble! It's exhausting! He said before laughing. I'm kidding. You're so adorable. He pinched her cheek and walked away.
Belinda sighed, and looked down to see Gandalf urging her to go on. Taking a deep breath, she blurted out:
-Iwanttoseethecolorfullights!
-... What? Saruman asked after a lost chuckle.
-I want to see the lights in the sky. Belinda clarified, showing him the painting she had done a while earlier.
-Oh, you mean the stars, dear. The man said, looking away.
-No, father! I am not sure what they are, but they are not stars. From your astronomy book, I know that stars follow a precise course that never changes. But these lights only appear for a short moment, are of all colors and I can only see them on my birthday. Only at my birthday. And I can't help but to feel that... That they're somehow meant for me... Belinda sighed, and Saruman frowned. I wish to see them, father. And not by the tower's window. In person. I want to know what they are...
-You say you wish to leave the tower? Why, my dear, that is foolish. Saruman said, closing the window and going to his daughter. Look at you, as frail as a flower. / You are but a babe, just a sprout. / You know why we live up in this tower?
-I know but...
-That's right! To keep you safe and sound! He cut her off ruffling her head, before going to draw the curtains. Yes, I always knew this day was coming. Knew that soon, you'd want to leave the nest. / Soon, but not yet! Belinda tried to argue but he silenced her with a finger. Shh! Listen, pet. / Father knows best.
Saruman knocked the wall with his elbow and the last window shot closed, leaving the two in complete darkness. Belinda light up a candle as her father began to sing.
-Father knows best,
Listen to your father,
It's a scary world out there. Saruman sang as he popped out of nowhere and made the young woman gasp.
-Father knows best,
One way or another,
Something will go wrong, I swear!
Belinda felt something pull at her hair and she tugged at it. She fell back with a yelp to be caught by the man's arm and he left her in a patch of light.
-Ruffians, thugs,
Poison Ivy, quicksand,
Cannibals and snakes,
The plague...
Belinda yelped when she saw many scaring shadows around her and squealed when her father pushed her with a dirty mop.
-Also large bugs,
Men with pointy teeth,
And stop, no more, you'll just upset me! He cried before taking his daughter's trembling hand.
-Daddy's right here.
Daddy will protect you,
Darling here's what I suggest!
Belinda gasped when she realised her father had vanished and she had hugged a coat-hanger instead, turning to see him upon the stairs, surrounded by many lights.
-Skip the drama,
Stay with papa!
Father... Knows... Best!
Saruman chuckled as he put out the candles with a swipe of his cape. Belinda light up a few other candles that Saruman quickly put out after she had light them.
-Father knows best,
Take it from your daddy,
On your own you won't survive.
Belinda turned to gaze at her reflexion in the mirror as her father stood behind it.
-Sloppy, undressed,
Immature and clumsy,
They'd eat you up alive!
Saruman sang as he tripped the young woman and rolled her up in her hair. He then made her stand and pulled her hair to free her, making her twirl on herself.
-You're gullible, naîve
Positively grubby,
Gritzy and a bit... Vague
Plus, I believe,
Getting kinda chubby.
I'm just saying cuz I wuv you!
He continued before hugging her quickly and disappearing in the darkness. Belinda whimpered and tried to find him, when a patch of light descended on him.
-But daddy understands,
Father's here to help you.
All I have is one request...
The young woman sighed and ran into her father's open arms. The two stayed that way for a few moments, before Saruman spoke.
-Belinda?
-Yes?
-Do not ever ask to leave this tower, again. He told her, his voice deep with warning.
-... Yes, father... She sighed, defeated.
-Oh... I love you so much, darling.
-I love you more.
-I love you most. He said, kissing the top of her head. Don't forget it. / You'd regret it... / Father knows best.
Belinda looked down, disappointed. Father was right. She wasn't ready to leave the tower yet. Perhaps in a few years, he might change his mind. But a deep feeling in her gutt told her it probably wasn't going to work out this way. Saruman sighed contently, happy to have made his daughter see reason. He then packed a few things, for he had to go out for the moment. Belinda hooked her hair out of the window and slowly lowered her father to the ground.
-I'll see you later, my flower. He called from the ground before leaving.
-And I'll be here... She sighed as she rested her head in her arms and let the wind blow in her hair.