Chapter 7
-Home-
It is us living who are truly unfortunate.
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The forest grows still, silent as if showing reverence towards the might that is the elder tree. Its giant roots and branches reach far and wide. Small glowing seeds very much like dandelions float irregularly in the air. Furthering the majestic feel, demanding utter reverence. However, rather than feeling reverence I feel fear. Fear telling me how insignificant I am.
“The goddess of light saw it fit to remove you yet here you stand. Why the old so fought to have you return even after.” The elder fasten its giant eyes on me. The seeds gather around me, attaching themselves onto me, paralyzing me. Gasping for air as it is hard to breathe, I can feel my strength forcefully leave me. Fear strikes me further, is this creature planning on killing me?
“Do you truly carry such importance? Will you truly bring the change that they so brazenly wish for?” The elder tree’s tone does not carry any hint of sincerity yet it sounds curious. The seeds take flight once more. My strength returns as I cough and gasp for air. Feeling relieved that I may yet live.
“The gods are fickle beings, more so than my creations. How they sustain themselves on belief is not viable in the long run. Although the god of light is indeed clever. Claiming that there is but one god and that is she. Will you be the messiah of change? Perhaps the goddess of light has succeeded in removing the very essence that brought change. Oh you are indeed very unfortunate to be alive child.” The elder seem to let out a slight chuckle yet powerful enough to bring forth a tremor in the ground.
Has the tree brought me here to simply mock me? “You are speaking of things I have no idea nor care of. Why am I here, really? Is there a way to return home to my family?”
“Who gave you leave to speak?” The voice of the tree booms, throwing me on the ground. “I would not have spoken to you were it not for your mother showing great kindness which is rare amongst your kind. However, my curiosity is now satisfied thus you may leave.”
“No wait you have not told me anything!” I shout stumbling upon the ground. Standing on my knees I plead. “Please!”
Silence rules the area and light slowly return as it once was before. The elder tree did not listen nor give heed. There is but a sapling slowly falling down on to the ground from one of the larger branches above.
“The elder spoke.” The elder council of trees all speak in unison. “It has not happened since ages past. The elder has gifted her, shown favour upon her.” They sound amazed as the sapling takes root and immediately grows into a bush. It blooms and the marvellous sight before me takes my breath away. Immediately a green something forms upon the small growing bush, draining all life from it. It withers away leaving something on the ground. A bow lay where the bush once was.
“A bow?!” I shout to the elder tree. “I need fucking answers!”
“Child, you are truly blessed. The elder tree has shown favour upon you. We are humbled. Please, we shall aid you however we can. Do not disturb the elder further.” The trees speak in turn, each with their distinct voice and tone. “However, we may not have the answers to all questions you ask. The elder and its infinite wisdom did not share all knowledge with us. Dare not question the elder’s infinite wisdom. It shares but what it thinks proper. The burden of knowledge may be too much. Trust in the elder. Put your faith in the elder. The elder knows what is best for all.”
The elder tree stands there silently, any wisdom it may or may not have locked inside. Still on my knees I plead to the council. “Do you know of a way to return home?”
“Yes, we shall summon a guide. You who are blessed by the elder shall return home. Your cabin to the south, the destination and we shall help you in this endeavour. No matter the cost.”
“No I mean to return home. To my own world. I just want to go home to my family. My brother, father, friends. Please, if you know anything!”
There is no answer but silence. The trees look at me, all seem perplexed. “We do not understand; your world is here. You are part of this world and you have always been. There is no other world. There are other worlds but you do not belong there. You do not own a world. The elder has not divulged such knowledge. Are you certain the cabin is not your home?” Each tree speaks their mind in a flowing manner seemingly not caring that they at times contradict one another.
“I see.” With a defeated sigh I slump down. “Please see me home safely to the cabin.” The only thing that mattered seem to be the one thing they have no knowledge of. “I have no further inquiries.”
Something kneels before me. My tired eyes wander up towards the figure finally looking at who or whatever it may be. A stern but beautiful androgynous face with pointy ears look straight at me. It is donned in hard dark leather or perhaps it is chitin plate.
“Dueilen at your service. I have been honoured with the task of accompanying you who have been blessed by the elder and guide you home with my life as assurance. This is my vow.” Though I am not surprised any longer to see strange creatures. Seeing an elf for the first time made me somehow flustered. They are far more beautiful and gracious than the tales let on. However, its skin seems somehow unnatural. There are no dents, pores or blemishes whatsoever and it somehow looks hard. Its eyes are wholly black and its long hair grey. Perhaps it is not an elf after all? My feet find themselves as I rise up from the ground. The elven creature rises up immediately as well.
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“Okay, shall we then? I am done with this place.” I say with a not so happy tone as I turn heel to leave.
“You must bring with the gift from the elder. Not doing so would be seen as an insult. That bow is yours and yours only, care for it with your life. You will need it.” The council voice their concern but I had indeed forgotten about the bow. With a sigh I turn around to bring it with. The green bow lay on the ground, its beautiful craftsmanship apparent. Perhaps it might not be so bad anyhow considering I had lost mine already. Regardless, returning to Elain’s place, home is all that matters now. “Let’s go.”
“You are always welcome to our grove oh lady blessed by the elder tree.” The trees say in unison. They seem to have some sort of misunderstanding if I am what they considered blessed by that elder tree.
My footsteps echo loudly in comparison to Dueilen whose steps seem to not generate any sounds at all. I marvel at the sight before me, the elven creature is indeed quite stunning to watch. Its every move gracious yet powerful. Tiredly I try to keep up but it is moving so swiftly across the area. Yet it acts ever watchful of whatever danger may lurk around, ready with a long spear in hand. It carries a bow on its back as well but for whatever reason decided for the spear.
It bothers me that I have no idea what gender this creature is.
It motions me to stay still as it looks away in the far distant. My eyes try to adjust and watch in whatever direction it is but I cannot see what it sees.
“What is it?” I curiously ask having no idea what to look for.
“Trolls, be quiet.” It sternly answers as if bothered. These its first words since leaving the grove. Seemingly not care to answer any questions I had before like how long we would travel. There are however no trolls in sight but I dare not question whatever Dueilen sees. “You are too loud, be quiet.” It scolds me.
“What? I am not doing or saying anything!”
“Be quiet, be silent as light or darkness.” It sternly says as it pushes my face down onto the ground. Light or darkness, whatever that means. Try to explain in human stupid creature. Whatever respect I had for you is now gone stupid. Acting chivalrous earlier at the grove was but a front.
Dueilen’s hand push hard against my head as it keeps me down into the moss. Would have been fine were there not a small spider atop the moss close to my head. I forcefully squirm as I try to wriggle out of Dueilen’s grip however it does not let go. Almost at the point of squealing, its grip lets go and I hastily rise up and brush away whatever may or may not climb on me.
“Stupid human blessed by the elder tree. You are too loud but we are safe for now.”
“Too loud?! I will show you loud!” Irritated I begin raising my voice but Dueilen forcefully keeps me shut with its hand.
“Be quiet or we will die.” Dueilen scolds me though I know that was rather stupid of me but it is so damn frustrating.
Slowly after making sure everything is alright, it begins to move again and I follow queue albeit irritated.
Night slowly descend upon us and exhaustion is beginning to take its toll. There has been no time to rest at all. Feeling hungry, thirsty and tired I begin contemplating my earlier actions. “Sorry” I solemnly say, my behaviour was rather childish and parting on bad terms would leave a bad taste.
“Stupid human say sorry yet intends to continue, showing no true remorse for its actions.” Dueilen states with a bothered tone.
“Be like that then! Fuck you too!” I raise my voice but it does not seem to care. Dueilen simply continues along its chosen path. Quickly reminding myself I apologize yet again but there is no response this time, only silence. My stomach growl and my legs feel rather sluggish.
“Shall we setup camp for the night?”
“No.”
“I cannot walk in the night you know. I am tired, hungry sleepy, thirsty. Please?” I plead but Dueilen does not let up.
“No, follow me.”
Stumbling ahead after the elven creature I curse my luck, my sight and everything in between. It is growing colder than before, the dawn of spring but an illusion. The cold seep into my clothes and it is but me moving that keeps me warm. However, I do not know for how long I can keep this up. The creatures of the night make horrid noises and I fear they are getting even closer with each step I take. “Are we there yet?” I ask pleading for this nightmare to end.
“Yes.”
It stops motioning towards the far distance. There is a house. Low light emanates from the house, proof that someone is there. “Elain, I’m finally home.”