Chapter 4: Teaching the Speechless to Speak

Back in Evendim, Glycin made his way back to Hopeful's house from the village inn in which he had been staying. He knocked on the door after breakfast and Cadoresa opened it. "Glycin! Come in! Are you here to see Hopeful?"

"Yes! Thank you! How is she today?"

"She is fine. She actually seems happier than she has in a while, thanks to you, I believe. You will stay around, will you not? Galad could probably find some things for you to do on the farm, especially now that our boys are becoming Rangers and will be going on more missions."

Hopeful smiled as Glycin came through the door. She put down her sewing and ran over to meet him.

"I would like that. I think I want to stay in this area, so I suppose I should find some land and build a house eventually!" He grinned as Hopeful stood beside her mother and took her hand.

"Good morning! How are you today?" he asked. Feeling a bit frustrated that he could not sign very well, he had taken the precaution to bring a small notebook, quill pen, and ink well, since Cadoresa had told him his new friend knew how to read.

Hopeful looked up at her mother with soulful eyes and slowly Cadoresa nodded. Hopeful then led Glycin out of the house. She beckoned him to follow her as she skipped through the high grasses. They were getting closer to the mountains and she disappeared behind a veil of trees. She slipped through the weeping willows and graceful beeches until she reached her goal: a pool, clear and glistening, from which a stream trickled away. The mountains loomed above and from their dark peaks flowed a waterfall that plunged into the pool. Rainbows of exotic colors floated in the misty air. The sun above shone down into the pool, its golden beams touching the blue ripples. It was Hopeful's retreat, where seeing was all one needed to do.

Glycin curiously followed his new friend as she led him into the mountains, the scenery growing more beautiful as they traveled. Carefully making his way to her side, he touched her arm and smiled, hoping that his face conveyed how special she made him feel, realizing this must be her private retreat. Laying his cloak on a rock, he motioned for her to sit, unsure of what to do except enjoy the lovely place.

After soaking in nature's beauty for a while, he turned to his silent companion. "Hopeful? Thank you for bringing me here. I want to give you something in return but do not know what. Is there anything you would like?" He tried to motion out the words and ended up writing everything down in his notebook; Cadoresa had told him while Hopeful could read words on paper, she was unable to read lips and never spoke, although she might laugh or cry from time to time. His heart ached for the family who had such a sweet, precious daughter and yet could never hear their names from her, nor could she hear her name from them. His blood boiled as he considered the previous guests who had ignored her just because she was deaf. She was just as much of a person as anyone else and deserved all the love she could get.

You are welcome, she wrote. I would like to speak if I cannot hear. But is not possible. Hopeful colored hotly as she realized her true heart's desire was written on paper.

Glycin smiled and gently patted her shoulder, then wrote furiously. After a minute he handed the paper back to her. Have you ever tried? I would like to see if I can help you with that. There was a man in my village back in Rohan who could not hear. However, he learned to speak a few words with some help from the woman he later married. While his voice sounded a bit different than that of everyone else, he was thrilled just to be able to tell his wife that he loved her. They told me he had to form the shape of the sound with his mouth, and then his friend would place his hand on her throat as he tried to say the words so he knew what it felt like. She also had him place his hand on her cheek when she spoke; apparently sound makes your face and throat vibrate a bit. Here, put your hand on my throat when I say "I", and then you can try it.*

Hopeful read what he wrote and grabbed the quill. I have not tried since I was young. She hesitated and placed her hand on his throat waiting for Glycin to say "I".

Glycin grinned and quickly obliged, saying, "I." Looking at her expectantly, he motioned for her to attempt her first word.

Hopeful tilted her head trying to understand. "Ach…Eee." The sounds were grating and rough. "Iii." She looked at Glycin with big eyes.

"You are doing it!" he grinned! "Try again? Put your hand on my cheek this time..." he gently laid her hand on his cheek and said "I" again.

A determined look on her face spread. "Eee…Iii…I…"

"Hopeful, you did it!" he cried! "Want to try something else?"

She shook her head and leaned over on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

Glycin slipped his arm around her slight frame. "Are you alright? I did not wear you out, did I?" he asked, eyes filled with concern.

She shook her head and smiled faintly; it had been the journey. It was her custom to take a nap after walking all the way out to her special spot.

She looked sleepy. He let her use his body as a support while she rested. Keeping an eye out for any dangers, he pondered his sweet new friend as she napped. Cadoresa had told him she was born during the Death Winter, so tiny a baby they had been unsure she would survive. However, she consequently remained small her whole life, although that could have been in part because her paternal grandmother was five feet and two inches at full height. All Glycin knew is that he was excited to be able to know Hopeful better, to be let into her very private self. He absently tightened his arm around her, needing to protect and heal her.

*I had recently read a book called "Lisa and Her Soundless World" by Edna Levine and they used the same techniques to help her learn how to speak and read lips. I cried as I read because it was so precious & I, like Glycin, felt the need to love her and care for her.