Chapter 9
I've never had my sight removed before, but I see how people find it intriguing. All my other senses are heightened. The air smells earthy, more fresh. The leaves rustling above us seem loud. The sun on my face seems pleasantly warmer. The fabric covering Haldir's arm seems softer. Though, I do miss seeing, the darkness of Moria is still too close.
My steps are hesitant at first, but Haldir does a good job of warning me of steps or roots and I start to relax. I only know we're heading toward evening when the air starts to cool. Haldir stops us and alerts us of approaching elves. They speak in elvish but if the books are correct, they're telling Haldir of orc attacks from Moria, and that we're to walk free now.
Our blindfolds are removed, and I blink as my eyes adjust to the light again. It's starting to get dark but the whole place still glows. The trees dwarf us, and I just know we're about to climb a million stairs. Haldir leads us forward and we start our trek up.
We stop on a talan that has drooping tree branches that are actually glowing. It's not just because of the moon light, it must be bioluminescent or whatever my science teacher referred to it as all those years ago. We face the small staircase Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel will come down anytime now to meet us.
They appear hand in hand, both emanating light and so regal looking. I stare at her beauty while she stares back at me like I'm a puzzle. Do I not seem like other humans? Haldir stared at me the same way.
"The enemy knows you are here. Whatever hope you had in secret is now gone." Lord Celeborn pauses and scans the group. "Nine were to set out from Rivendell yet it was not this nine. Where is Gandalf? For I much desire to speak with him."
"Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land. He has fallen into shadow." Lady Galadriel releases me from her gaze to look over our group.
"He was taken by both Shadow and Flame. A Balrog of Morgoth. For we went needlessly into the net of Moria." Legolas says in a hushed tone. Frodo flinches and I place a hand on his shoulder to comfort him.
"Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life." Lady Galadriel stresses to everyone but me.
"What now becomes of this fellowship? Without Gandalf, hope is lost." Lord Celeborn says gravely.
"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife, stray but a little and it will fail, to the ruin of all. Yet, hope remains while this company holds true." Lady Galadriel says, stressing the last bit to me. I frown at her insinuation. I'm here to go home, not to rest before Mordor.
After our meeting, I'm offered a separate bathhouse and sleeping quarters. I accept the bath but decline the room. I know I'm safe here, but I'd rather stay with my group. I grab my bag and follow a female elf away from the guys.
She takes me to an open pool. It looks like a hot spring you'd seen in Japan. Steam rises as the heat from the water meets the cool night air. The water is surrounded by large flat rocks and thick tree trunks affording me a little privacy.
The elf sets down a basket and starts speaking quickly to me in elvish. I frown in confusion, and she stops. She thinks for a moment then crouches down to the basket. She points to the first bottle and makes a #1 symbol with her finger then points to her hair. Shampoo then. She points to the second and gives me a #2 then points to her hair again. Conditioner. She points to the last bottle and points to her arm. Soap. I give her a smile and nod in understanding then she stands and leaves. I need to get Legolas to teach me basic bathing terms.
I quickly strip down to nothing and slip into the water. The heat feels amazing on my tired body. I lean back, this feels almost as good as the Nimrodel did. For a long time I just sit. I want to nod off but knowing my luck recently I'd just drown. Reluctantly I sit up and pull the basket closer to the edge.
I start by wetting and shampooing my hair. I scrub at it longer than I need to not wanting to miss a single speck of dirt. I dunk my head under to rinse the shampoo out then coat my hair in the conditioner. I go to grab the soap but notice a blade sitting along the edge. I pick it up and turn it over. The blade is rounded off and folds into a wooden handle. It reminds me of barber blades from back home.
I've never used one but this has to be better than letting my body hair get unruly. I pop up onto a rock and rub some soap between my hands to create bubbles, then rub them on my legs. They seem like the easiest place to start. I pick a flat area and drag the blade upward on an angle. I inspect the blade and am amazed by all the little hairs I got. I practice a few more strokes on the flat parts then try to tackle around my ankle.
I flinch as I nick the skin along my ankle bone. The cut is tiny, but it bleeds like crazy. It also stings. I move on to the outside of my ankle and catch the bone on that side too. Dammit. By the time I'm done I've nicked both sides of each ankle and a spot on my shin.
I rinse off as best as I can from the side of the pool, not wanting to bleed in it. I wrap the towel the elf left around me, pick up the basket and round the large rock to my bag. A nice lavender dress sits folded on top. I slip it on and use a ripped piece of clothing to dab at my ankles. I'll have time to wash this later. I head in the direction we entered from and bump into the female elf; she seems to be waiting for me.
"Um... athae?" I try thinking back to the Sindarin book in Rivendell. I also display one of my ankles. It must be clear enough as she ushers me away from the camp we're sleeping in.
I sit on the edge of a bed and an elf kneels in front of me with a basket. I lift the skirt of the dress and he starts by dabbing at the wounds with a damp cloth to clean them up. He's in the middle of wrapping a long strip of fabric around one, a Band-Aid from home would be much more appropriate, when Haldir appears.
"Are you alright?" He asks with concern.
"Oh, yeah. I just nicked myself trying to shave with a blade. It looks worse than it actually is." The elf ties a knot then switches to the other ankle to repeat the process.
"Brielle?" I lean forward to look around Haldir. Legolas comes over to the bed looking alarmed.
"I'm alright." I assure him. "How did you know where I was? Either of you."
"The elf maiden escorting you informed Haldir, and I overheard." Legolas answers. I nod. The elf healer picks up his things and gives a small bow to Haldir before turning and leaving.
"I'm all good." I stand. "Should we go back to camp?" They both regard me for a moment before nodding.
They each take a side of me and we walk back to camp. There are a few gazebos set up now. The hobbits are setting up their bedding under one, a single bedroll set up under the middle one, presumably for me, and the other four are under the 3rd one. We also have a fire and small pool of fresh water. It's a pretty nice set up.
"I shall take my leave now. I'm glad you are well." Haldir says his goodbyes then takes his leave of us.
I stash my bag near my fancy bedding then move to sit around the fire. Thankfully the dress is long enough that I don't have to answer anymore questions about my embarrassing mishaps. There's singing in the distance and Sam asks what the song is.
"A lament for Gandalf." Legolas says bringing a jug of water to me. "For me, the grief is still too near to speak of it's contents." He pours a cup then hands it to me.
"Thank you."
"Hannon le." He corrects.
"Pardon me?"
"Hannon le, it means thank you." He explains.
"Oh, right. Hannon le." He smiles, pleased. He leaves to put the jug aside and Pippin comes to join me at the fire.
"You look pretty." Pippin says to me with a smile.
"Thank you." I say. "You look handsome all cleaned up as well."
Everyone looks much better actually. It's a wonder what a shower and change of clothes will do for a person. Legolas looks especially good. His hair looks so soft, and he looks handsome in his silver tunic. He comes to sit at the fire with us and I force myself to look at the flames instead. Sam stands.
"The finest rockets ever seen,
They burst in stars of blue and green,
Or after thunder, silver showers,
Come falling like a rain of flowers."
He recites.
"Oh, that doesn't do them justice by a long road." He sits down dejectedly.
"They sound beautiful Sam. I wish I could have seen them, but you paint a good picture of what they looked like." He perks up a bit at my praise. I notice Boromir is missing so I get up and go look for him. Legolas stands to follow me, but I shake my head.
I walk away from the camp for a while. Boromir sits by himself on a rock, kind of hunched over. I walk over slowly to give him time to tell me to go away or to leave him be, but he doesn't. I sit next to him.
"Why don't you come get some rest?" I ask softly.
"I will find no rest here." His voice is laced with anxiety. "I heard her voice inside my head. She spoke of my father and the fall of Gondor. She said there is hope left yet but I cannot see it."
"Gandalf's death doesn't have to be an ill omen. We have a special group of men here. Each and every one of you can make a difference. Put those differences together and you all will drive change." I encourage. He shakes his head sadly.
"My father is a noble man, but his rule is failing… and our people lose faith. He looks to me to make things right, and I would do it. I would see the glory of Gondor restored." He says passionately.
"Hold on to that passion. Let it drive you. Even when you can't see hope. The hope will return." I pause. "Things are already changing. You were all brought together in Rivendell. A plan was made. Gandalf sacrificed so we could make it through Moria. He would want you to continue, to bring hope back to your people. You are brave. And you are noble, just as your father is." I don't know what else to say so I just sit quietly with him.
"Perhaps you are right. We should take some rest." He stands. I sigh and push myself up then I follow his lead back to camp. He seems more at ease so hopefully my words brought him some comfort.
We spend the next few days at our camp recovering. We sleep, eat, drink, sit, and bathe some more. I also visit the healer again for help with my chest at Aragorn's insistance. The days blend together. It does a lot of good for everyone, the guys look in much better spirits. But I am anxious to get home. We haven't seen or heard from Lord Celeborn or Lady Galadriel or even Haldir in the last couple days.
We're all sitting around the fire tonight. We shared a nice meal earlier and had those delicious berries for dessert. The guys all seem content, but I can't shake the feeling of unease, or anxiety, or something pulling at me telling me something is going to go wrong.
Pippin is telling an animated story while flailing his arms around. Frodo's laughing for the first time in a while and leans to the side to avoid him. I smile, its nice to see him smiling again. Pippin squeaks out an 'oops' and pulls his arms back in. Frodo gives him a playful shove then rights himself.
Light from the fire glints off gold and makes me do a double take. I stare, transfixed, at the small gold band hanging from the hobbit's neck. I can hear the group joking around me and I can see the Mallorn trees surrounding us, but it all feels a world away, hidden behind a glass wall.
A whispering mixed with my name fills my head. Then pictures of my home. My sister with her fiancé. The three of us together playing games and drinking wine while the dogs play by us on the tile floor. A group of people I don't recognize surrounding me, clearly new friends. I'm the center of attention, not the weird outsider. They like me. They want me. My heart constricts at the version of me being accepted, not left behind. Vision me laughs and I bring my hand up to brush some hair behind my ear. A pretty gold ring sits at the base of my index finger. The ring.
I suck in a sharp breath and reel backward, the force of it sends me over the back of my log seat. Everyone stops and looks at me but I stare horrified at Frodo's necklace. He tucks the necklace in his shirt breaking the last of the hold it has on me. I scramble to my feet and run. I run until I can't breathe anymore. I lean back against a tree, close my eyes, and work on getting my breath back.
"Are you ill?" Boromir asks standing in front of me, slightly out of breath as well.
"The ring…" Boromir's eyes harden at me. "I mean Frodo's ring, it was… it was speaking to me. Showing me things. My family. My home." I ramble quietly. "Isildur's bane…" I whisper to myself. "I know I can't wield it. It won't give me what I want. It only answers to Sauron." I whisper frantically to myself. "The ring gets destroyed by Gollum. That couldn't have been a real future." I try to reassure myself.
Boromir harshly grips my upper arm and drags me back to camp. I stumble but his grip is so intense it keeps me upright. I'm going to have a bruise tomorrow. The group watches as we approach. He gives me a final shove and I stumbled into the middle of the circle near the fire.
"We have a liar among us. This witch knows of the ring and its future." Boromir spits out to inform the group. "I was correct. You knew of Gandalf's demise." I have no argument, so I stay quiet.
"The hat and gloves… they weren't just because it was winter?" Merry concludes. I shake my head. "You knew we'd get stuck on the mountain." I nod.
"You were watching the skies for the Crebain…" Legolas says more in epiphany than accusation. I nod again.
"You were not surprised when the Lorien guards surrounded us." Gimli adds. I shake my head.
"Why did you not warn us of the mine." Boromir demands.
"Would you have entered if I had?" I shoot back. He pauses before he answers.
"No." he says reluctantly.
"Exactly. And Gandalf needed to… that needed to happen. It'll make sense later. And like I said after Moria, I told Gandalf of what was to come in there." Tears brim in my eyes.
"Yet you cruelly did not give us the same consideration and warning." Boromir accuses. I can feel all of our progress since Moria wash away.
"And what? Watch you all struggle with the anxiety and guilt and devastation that I've had to endure since Rivendell? No, that would have been cruel of me." I defend.
"Then what of the future? You know how everything ends. What is the harm in telling us now?" Boromir pushes.
"Lord Elrond suggested I keep my knowledge to myself. I know a future ending. One where I don't exist here. My being here indicates outcomes can still change. I need to ensure that doesn't happen." I stress.
"And you think us incapable of doing what needs to be done?" Boromir challenges.
"Enough." Aragorn stands and interjects. "It is late. We can speak more of this in the morning."
Boromir and I both take a step back from each other. I watch as he turns and walks off. Aragorn gives me a sympathetic look but doesn't say anything. I sink back down to my log while the hobbits make their way back to their gazebos, subdued. They get tucked in their beds, but they're restless. I don't blame them. I stand and walk to the end of their beds.
"May I sit?" I ask. They all nod so I kneel. "It was a necessary evil. I promise I didn't want Gandalf to die." Frodo sits up and the others follow.
"I believe you." Frodo says, pain still in his voice. The others reluctantly agree once Frodo does.
"And I'm sorry for not telling you sooner. I didn't want you to suffer longer than necessary."
"We know." Pippin says. "Gandalf's death shocked us all, but it's not your fault. Gandalf could have warned us too." I smile gratefully at him.
"I could sing for a while if it'd help you sleep." I offer. It feels nice to know at least the hobbits won't blame me during our talk tomorrow.
"That would be nice, Miss Brielle." Sam says. They lay back down, and I sing gently until they fall asleep.
Gimli and Aragorn have also fallen asleep to my singing, but Boromir is still nowhere to be seen. Sleep would be nice, but I'm too tense to get any rest. I stand and return to the fire. Legolas still sits watching the flames dance. I copy him and get lost in the pretty colours.
"Why do you do that?" Legolas asks.
"Do what?" I look over at him.
"You share your voice, and words of comfort, but never yourself. The comfort you provide them does not delve deeper than the surface, though I feel they are unaware, being so absorbed in their own troubles." He clarifies.
"That's… I… that's none of your business." I stutter. He's silent for a while.
"Seems burdensome and lonely." He finally says.
"It's easy." I argue.
"Easy?"
"Yes. When they leave it won't hurt as much if I don't get close. This way I can still give them comfort without getting attached." I explain.
"Why would they leave? Did you remember more of our journey?"
"No, no. I just mean in general, like when they're not in my life anymore. I'm here to go home." I remind him.
"I still do not understand why you believe they would leave. I believe the hobbit's would wish to keep in contact." I look away from him and to the hobbits. A frown creases my brows as the faces of my deceased family members and friends flash in front of my eyes. Or all of the faces of my friends who have drifted away because the things I liked were not cool anymore. Or the few people I trusted with my mental health who left because I was too much.
I look up at the sky and swallow back tears. I don't want to talk about this but I'm also too mentally drained to put up my usual walls. I just have to hope he forgets about it in the morning, or that Lady Galadriel can send me home soon.
"Everyone does for one reason or another." I say. When he's silent I look back at him. The light of the fire flickers across his face in soft warm hues.
"Seems an unfair generalization-"
"It's experience." I cut him off. He reaches over and grabs the hand sitting in my lap. I stare at our hands, and I can feel anxiety pull at my face. I remove his hand with my free one and place it back in his own lap.
"Can I not to provide comfort without attachment." He says mocking my earlier words.
"It's different." I say.
"How so?" He asks. Because there's something about you that would hurt more to lose. I shouldn't let you get close but I can't help myself, and I know I'll push you away as soon as I give the tiniest inch.
"It just is." I say. We both go back to watching the fire slowly die down.
"You were close with Elladan and Elrohir." Legolas pushes.
"Yes. And that was two too many. It's going to be hard enough when all of this gets taken."
"Are more of us supposed to perish?" He asks quietly. I pause before answering.
"No. You will be fine, so long as things don't change." I bite my lip at the omission. "But I don't have that same guarantee for myself. I was never in the lore. I don't know what's going to happen to me. I could be sent home, I could be stuck here, I could die… two of those options require me to deal with loosing you all. For the other, I'd be the reason you all have another thing contributing to your suffering. It's best for everyone if I just stay out of things as much as possible." I rant.
"Is it best for you?" I frown at the fire because of his words.
Is it best for me? Lord Elrond, Glorfindel, and Gandalf all told me to lean on these guys. But that's not fair when I'm not staying here. I'm going home, and forming attachments won't be good for anyone.
"Yes." I finally say. He doesn't say anything else, just leaves me to think.
Everything finally becomes too much, and I excuse myself. I go to my gazebo and crawl into bed. I've already gotten too close to the fellowship. The thought of going back to days without them hurts. Even loosing Boromir. Between that and the emotional storm that was tonight, things finally get to me. I let the tears slip out as quietly as possible.
A soft thud to my right catches my attention. Legolas has dropped his blankets next to my bedding. He pulls me and my blankets toward him then lays them out flat. The square I'm on is big enough for two people and he lays beside me.
"No attachment. Just comfort." He whispers sternly when I go to say something. Tears well up again and I nod, too tired to deny. He pulls me to him so I'm on my side, half draped over him. He grabs the blankets and spreads them out over us. Once he's settled, he wraps an arm around my upper back and gently strokes my hair. I fall asleep crying all over his clothes.
Movement pulls me from my sleep. I rub at my eyes, then squint up at Legolas. He's trying to get out of the bedding without waking me.
"My apologies. The others will wake soon."
"S'okay." I mumble. I close my eyes for a moment.
When I open them next the sun is high in the sky and I'm the last one left under our gazebos. I silently watch the group around the fire, without me, as it's meant to be. Sam notices and waves me over to join them.
"We saved you a bowl." He says as I sit between him and Frodo, and Merry and Pippin. They all continue their conversation while I eat. Everything seems fine until I finish eating. The fellowship grows quiet and I know it's time to explain. I put my bowl to the side slowly to buy myself a few more seconds.
"So, you all know that I'm not from here and that I came to Lothlórien seeking Lady Galadriel's help to get back home. But when I say home I mean to another world, Earth. Not Middle-Earth. They're similar but earth is more… advanced." Everyone stares at me with rapture.
"Anyways, we have these books titled The Lord of the Rings. They retell the exact journey you're taking now, well, without me. There's also a bunch of books that go with them detailing the history of Middle-Earth. Though, I haven't read through all of those ones."
"Do you know for certain then our futures?" Aragorn asks.
"I'm not sure. I would say yes, but when I've stepped in, small things have changed. Like in Moria, Frodo was supposed to open the gate and the Watcher was supposed to take him, not me. Or the cave troll, you and Boromir pulled it back in the story and Boromir was thrown against the wall, not me." He's silent while he processes my words.
"They're small instances but who's to say something worse won't change if I do anything else. That's why I've tried not to change anything." I continue. "Without any influence from me the quest ends in your favour." The group perks up a bit at this.
"So we destroy the ring then?" Frodo asks hopefully. I smile at him.
"I don't think I should speak of the events. I don't want to unintentionally influence any of your decisions. Lord Elrond and Gandalf gave me the same council."
"They knew? All of this?" Boromir surprises me by asking.
"Most of it. Neither of them wanted any specific details." I say.
"Why then, only last night, did you panic at the sight of the ring?" He changes the topic. I shrug.
"It's the first time I saw the ring not in a daze and up close. On the mountain I was still groggy from hypothermia, and Legolas and I were a fair ways away."
"I apologize for the accusations over Gandalf's death." Aragorn says on behalf of the group.
"It's alright, you all didn't know any better of me. And I was keeping things from you, regardless of however much they were for your benefit." The group is silent with the revelation and tense unsure what to do with the new information. "If no one has any questions for me I'm going to go for a walk so you all can process and talk about whatever you need to." No one says anything so I stand and leave.
I wander aimlessly through the woods. I know the borders are surrounded with guards and someone will steer me back if I go to far. I'm probably being watched now but I can't see any guards around right now. I continue taking in the beauty of Lothlórien.
"Haldir!" I call when I see him descending one of the spiral staircases.
"Lady Brielle! Why are you parted from your friends, are you lost?" He asks with worry.
"No, no. We were getting to know each other and they're just adjusting to what they learned of me." He relaxes at my words. I continue before he can question me though. "So, does Lothlórien have any other special secrets that only the locals know; like those berries?"
"I am unsure it qualifies as a local secret but follow me." He offers me an elbow and I take it. Sharing my secret has put me in a considerably lighter mood.
We walk in companionable silence for a while. Every step is as beautiful as the last. Finally, he slows as we come to a mound. The hill is ringed by two sets of trees, ones with white bark are on the outside, and a large Mallorn tree is on the inside.
"What is this?" I ask.
"This is Cerin Amroth." He says fondly. I bend down to caress the Elanor flower that litter the ground. My heart twinges at the reminder of Glorfindel.
"Legolas told you of Nimrodel and Amroth, yes?" He asks, I think about his song at the river and nod. "Amroth was a king. This hill held his home until he was lost to us. This is also where Estel reunited with Lady Arwen. Many special meetings have taken place here." He says.
"Thank you for showing me this." I move forward and place my hand on the bark of the Mallorn. It feels like it's alive. I stare up at the tree in amazement. Middle-Earth is so magical.
Haldir escorts me back to camp. Thank goodness for that or I think I'd get lost. I keep to the sidelines for the afternoon to try to get a judge on how they're taking my admission. There's a little awkwardness but for the most part it hasn't seemed to change anything. I guess it wouldn't since the plan is for me to separate from them at the end of their break here anyway.
The stars hang high in the sky now and only Legolas, Gimli, and I are still awake. Legolas sits by the fire with us but keeps to himself. I guess they're not friends yet. I look to Gimli and perk up.
"Oh! Our talk this morning reminded me of something." Both of them watch me as I go to my gazebo and grab my bag.
I bring it back with me and sit closer to Gimli. I push aside the clothes in my bag and pull out the book. I present it to him and he takes it from me with both hands.
"I grabbed it when we were in Moria. I thought you might like to have it." I say.
"This is a mighty gift indeed." His eyes mist up and I don't need his words to tell me how grateful he is.
"Maybe some time you could read some of it to me, if it's not private stuff in there of course."
"Aye, allow me to read through it to find a good part to share." He requests.
"Of course, take your time. Experience the words of your kin." I smile at him. "I'm glad I didn't upset you with it."
"Never lassie, I will always treasure the relics of my kin." He says then flips carefully through some of the pages.
I leave him to return my pack to my area then sit back on my log. Gimli is reading the book, Legolas is fletching some arrows, so I sit quietly and enjoy the fire. I wish we had some marshmallows to make smores with. After a while I excuse myself to sleep. The sound of Gimli and Legolas eventually talking quietly about the book is comforting and darkness claims me easily.
The group gradually returns to normal. As far as I can tell, everyone feels back to full health, and they have dwelt on my origins as much as they're going to. Boromir and the hobbit's return to sparring. Gimli spends most of his time working through the thick dwarven book. Legolas, Aragorn, and I, usually sit together talking while they work on their weapons.
The days really meld together here. I remember reading about it in the books, how time moved funny, but I always thought it was just used as a tool to move the timeline along. For a while the days were spent grieving, then they were spent in silent accepting, and now the quiet is filled with arguing over what the plan will be from here on out.
When I wouldn't tell them their next move, they discussed, at nauseum, the best option. As far as I know, they accomplished nothing other than exhausting each other. They put the debate on hold, and all moved to do their own things for a while.
"I really think the bathing pools being gold would really add to the beauty of Lothlórien. We could collect enough Mallorn leaves, boil or crush them to make dye, and add them to the water." I suggest to Aragorn as we sit around the fire. I've decided my new favourite way to pass the time is to come up with the most childish or outrageous thing I can think of and suggest it to him. He gives me an unimpressed look.
"Yeah, you're right." I sigh. "It wouldn't be worth it unless it was strong enough to dye the skin too. But it'd have to be gold, not yellow, so it would glow in the sunlight." I say to him seriously as if he's participating in this conversation.
He looks at me like maybe I've gone crazy. My serious mask almost breaks, and I watch as he catches it. He rolls his eyes but the corner of his mouth twitches up. This is why it's my new favourite pastime. He always seems so stressed, and I love being able to give him a little break from that.
"Goodnight pîn presta tân." Aragorn stands. Little trouble maker. He started calling me that after I started suggesting ridiculous things to him, things that are usually disruptive.
"Goodnight anîra dagnir." I say back. Desire killer. Could I have picked a more appropriate word like fun killer? Dream crusher? Probably. But teasing him is more fun.
Everyone else heads to bed not long after Aragorn, but I decide to stay up for a while longer. Something tugs at me to stay awake for now. Legolas puts another log on the fire for me then bids me goodnight. He's usually the last of the fellowship to retire, if he even decides to sleep that night.
I'm watching the flames dance when a blur of white catches my eye. I lift my head. Lady Galadriel is waiting for me to follow her. Déjà vu pricks at my senses, but I get up anyway.
I follow her a short ways from the campsite and wait for her to speak. She concentrates hard on my eyes for a moment. She looks frustrated by something, and I wait some more for her to speak. Finally she relaxes her face in resignation and speaks.
"I wish to offer you the opportunity of gazing in my mirror." She says regally.
"I appreciate the offer but all I desire is to go home. I was hoping you could help me with that."
"We shall talk of actions after. I get the impression my mirror has something important to show you." She urges.
"Fine. But it won't change anything. I still want to go home. I don't belong here." I say confidently.
"Let's see what my mirror has to show you before we be too hasty." She says.
"Okay." I agree to get this over with. A feeling settles heavy in my stomach. I don't think any good can come from this.
She turns and starts leading the way toward a river, or at least some kind of flowing water. I can hear it in the distance. I follow her. We move around large trees and over a slightly moist and cool dirt path, but her dress never dirties. Every movement she makes is flawless. I wish I could emanate beauty like that.
She never looks back to check if I'm still following or not. Though, she can probably hear my footsteps. We round a corner and descend some large flat stones. My breath hitches at the first sight of where we are. A semi-private clearing surrounds us and a flat blow sits on a pedestal in the middle.
Notes:
Athae - healing
Hannon le – thank you
pîn presta tân – little trouble maker
anîra dagnir – desire killer