Chapter Six:
"Erestor what is foresight," I asked once I had finished my studies for the day. "Why do you wish to know Cassiopeia," replied Erestor looking at me expectantly. "Well, I heard Glorfindel ask ada if I had foresight. I want to know what it is so I can know if I have it or not," I answered silently praying he would answer my question. Erestor sighed "that is something that I cannot answer. If you really want to know then you will have to ask your adar."
"You know but choose not to answer," I muttered not bothering to wait for a response. What could foresight possibly be, it must be something really bad if Erestor wouldn't explain it? I mean Erestor seeks any opportunity possible to lecture anybody willing to listen on just about any subject. I would have to ask ada if I really wanted to know but then I would have to admit that I was listening to conversations that did not involve me and most likely had been private, even if they did not make sure I was out of hearing range. No, I would not ask ada even though I knew Erestor would surely tell ada that I had asked and they would know that I heard part of what they had talked about.
With nothing else to do, I decided to seek out Glorfindel to see if he needed any help like yesterday. The most obvious place Glorfindel could be was the training grounds so I decided to look for him there first. I was passing through the gardens when I ran into two other elfings. I played with them a few times and though they were nice enough.
"Have you seen Glorfindel," I asked. "No," answered the dark-haired elfing whose name I couldn't remember.
"Oh, okay," I said starting to walk away but stopped when I heard one of the boys talk to me. "I heard you don't have a naneth anymore. Is that true," asked one of the boys. "I still have a naneth," I replied angrily. How dare they say that I didn't? Naneth was still alive even if she was not in middle-earth anymore.
The other boy smirked at me and nodded "well she must not have loved you if she left you," they both ran away then. Could it be true what they said? Did naneth not love me and that's why she left. Why were they mean to me? I thought they were nice.
I no longer wished to find Glorfindel and instead ran away towards the forest not stopping to think about the dangers. I continued to run until I had run out of breath. I looked around worriedly. I did not know where I was and it was starting to get dark. I didn't know what to do and started to cry frantically. I just stood there trying to figure out where but to no avail. After a few minutes, I heard howling close and grew scared. I strained my ears trying desperately to hear something. I could hear the wolves running towards me, it had to be more than one by the noise they were making.
No one ever told me what to do if I ran into wolves, but then again I was not supposed to venture out into the forest, especially alone. I ran trying to search for a tree that I could easily climb finally finding one close by. I made it to the bottom branch when two large wolves came into view. They were huge and gross looking, they didn't look like the wolves in the pictures of Erestors books. I continued to climb up the tree until I was sure that I would not be eaten alive.
I was scared, so incredibly scared. I could not stop myself from crying out in anguish. What if no one ever found me? What if I was eaten? Would ada miss me?
Of course, he would miss me, he loves me, not like naneth. The boys were right saying that naneth didn't love me, at least I had ada, and Glorfindel, and Erestor. The wolves had not left and were circling the tree looking up at me with their big yellow eyes.
I sat down on the branch and hugged the tree trunk so I didn't fall. I must have fallen asleep and only woke when I heard my name being called. I looked down frantically down but the wolves had not left.
"Ada," I yelled hoping they would hear me. I continued to yell out to ada for what seemed a long time until the wolves stood and started snarling evilly. Ada stepped out from behind some trees along with Glorfindel and some other warriors.
"Ada," I cried out. He looked up and smiled at me relieved. Glorfindel and another warrior took out their bows and shot a wolf each.
"Ada," I cried. "Stay where you are. I will come up and get you," said ada already beginning to climb the tree. I latched onto him when he was on the same branch as I. I held ada tightly burying my head in his chest. I was scared, so scared and could not stop shaking. Ada climbed down the tree slowly and set me down when we were finally on the ground.
Ada began examining me for injuries and sighed in relief when he found none but the concern did not lessen. I knew I must look a mess but I could not bring myself to care. Ada gathered me in his arms once again cradling me to him. Glorfindel came up to us then and began rubbing my back offering the comfort he could.
After a few minutes, we began moving heading back towards the house. I was glad we were leaving the forest. I had no wish to go ever go back, never again.
"Shh Cassiopeia, you're safe. Ada's got you," Ada whispered continuously into my ear soothing me. Ada entered my chambers and silently helped me get ready for bed. I thought ada would leave once he finished and I was in bed but I was mistaken. Instead, ada settled down on the bed beside me and got comfortable. I looked at him questionably but he just smiled and raised an eyebrow amused. I took that as an invitation and snuggled into his side resting my head on his chest.
"What happened today, Cassiopeia? Why were you in the forest? And most importantly alone," asked ada softly. I was afraid to tell him the truth, but I knew I could not lie.
"I…I um, I ran into some boys when I was looking for Glorfindel and they said mean things, really mean things ada," I answered. Ada remained silent waiting for the rest of my story. "They said that I didn't have a naneth anymore and that she left because she didn't love me," I cried remembering the hurtful words. Ada nodded, "you must know they are not true Cassiopeia. Your mother loves you very much and that will not stop just because she is not her with us. I dare say that she misses you and loves you even more."
"How can she love me more if she isn't here," I asked. "When you love someone and you can't see them for a long time, it makes the heart fonder," he said. "I guess that makes sense," I answered.
"What were you doing in the forest alone, Cassiopeia?"
"I didn't want to look for Glorfindel anymore and I was sad and ran and when I stopped I didn't know where I was," I answered. Ada sighed, "Cassiopeia promise me that you will not do so again. I was so worried and scared when we could not find you anywhere. We were lucky the head chef saw what way you ran."
"I'm sorry ada. I won't do it again. I don't want to. They were scary," I cried remembering the foul beasts. "They are Cassiopeia. They are wargs evil creatures that serve Sauron. Middle-earth is not safe, it's not safe to venture out alone anymore."
I didn't understand what was so dangerous about this Sauron or why they were worried but knew it was something that only adult elves would understand, not elfings.
"Now, why were you asking Erestor about foresight," asked ada in a tone that demanded an answer, truthful at that. I knew I should not have Erestor and he would babble to ada. I had to learn to keep my mouth shut.
"I heard Glorfindel ask you if I had it before I left the dining hall after breakfast," I answered truthfully. "And why were you listening to private conversations young lady?"
"I…I um, well it's not my fault. You started talking before I left and I didn't stop to hear. I swear I kept walking," I tried explaining not wanting to get in trouble for eavesdropping. Luckily, ada nodded in understanding.
"Ada, what is foresight? Because I don't know what it is and I don't think I have it. I didn't take it I swear. You can look in my room and my closet to it's not hear, ada," I asked. Ada chuckled softly and stroked my hair.
"It is not something material but rather an ability someone possesses. It is when an elf can see or rather has a vision of the future," ada explained in a serious voice and sighed. "It seems that you have inherited that particular ability from me as I also possess this ability.
"Really you can see the future ada, that so cool," I exclaimed raising my head to look at him. "It is a gift and a curse Cassiopeia and must not be taken lightly."
"Why," I asked not understanding. "At times, one sees terrible things that will occur especially with the darkness of Sauron spreading. That's why it is a curse but also a gift for it can be used to our advantage as well," responded ada looking me straight in the eyes.
"Oh, but I don't have that ada. I haven't seen any future. I would know, wouldn't I," I asked ada not daring to look away. What types of terrible things did ada see? Did it happen all the time? I had never noticed after all. This was all new to me.
"You do my Wilwarin. Part of your nightmare yesterday was, in reality, a vision," answered ada. I gasped horrified and buried my head in Ada's chest again crying. "You mean that what I saw with the big volcano and the elves fighting those monsters will happen."
"The future is not set in stone. It is a strong possibility but you must not dwell in that. You mustn't worry. But I do need you to promise that if you have another vision or nightmare similar you will come talk to me. Promise my Cassiopeia. You do not have to bear this alone."
"I promise ada," I promised truthfully but was still scared I did not want to see any of the monsters again or elves dying. We remained silent for a long time and I falling asleep when I remembered the part about the High King.
"What about the High King Gil-galad, ada. I saw him die. He isn't going to die right. And you were there too. Ada, you can't die. Ada, you promised you wouldn't leave me, you promised," I cried hysterically suddenly realizing what this vision truly meant.
"Shh Cassiopeia, calm down. I am not going anywhere. I am still here," ada consoled me rubbing my back and hair. "The future is not set in stone. There is a strong possibility that it will not happen and if it does it won't be for a long time yet. As for Gil-galad dying, well I will inform him about what you saw, alright," ada questioned.
I nodded while snuggling closer to him and his warmth. Ada would make everything better and it's like he said, what I saw could be used to their advantage. I would do as ada asked and not worry, it was adult matters after all.
I was comfortable and content knowing ada would keep me safe. No monsters or those wargs things could beat ada. With those thoughts, I allowed myself the sleep I desperately needed.