A Leaf of Sorrow and Strife

Leaf and Bark, a Lesson in Loss

Feinour approached gingerly, feet treading lightly over the soft ground, as always with his time spent here, the Kurnothi was as welcoming as ever. The towering Sylvaneth warrior giving him a warm smile as he moved towards the middle of the forest clearing. Yet another visitor was present, The Aelf's green eyes suddenly flicking to a nearby Sister of the Watch, her bow was slung over one shoulder, the weapon stowed, yet sparking and crackling impatiently. Her piercing gaze never left his as he stepped forwards, tracking him like some carrion bird of prey. He gave a curt nod in her direction, she replied with a narrowing of the eyes.

Oakheart laughed at the silent exchange, voice booming heartily to break the tension in the air, "ignore Alicia my friend, she is just being careful." His jovial words causing the leaves on his shoulders to rustle and shake. "Come, Feinour! Sit, sit please!" He patted a massive hand on the floor opposite him, the movement disturbing a few Dewberries hanging on his wrist. Feinour sat gladly in response, the position was comfortable, relaxed, he sighed contently. Yet his peace was broken momentarily by catching another sight of the standing Watch Sister, she had not abandoned her barbed looks. He shifted nervously under her steely gaze. "Between you and me, I believe she is jealous." Oakheart winked, or what passed for one with his kin, blue eye shimmering momentarily in mirth. "She does not like it you see, that other Aelves outside her order have extended conversation with my kind."

Hearing his words, Alicia huffed, flicking a strand of golden hair out of her face in exasperation. Yet her posture shifted ever so slightly, becoming more relaxed and gentler. Feinour could have sworn that for a brief second, a ghost of a smile passed her lips. Shaking the thought, the Nomad Prince's attention drew back to Oakheart's voice. "So, you wished to talk, Noble Kindred?"

Feinour paused before speaking. "Yes, honored one, it is my nightmares again."

"Your dreams...yes, I know. Who was it this time my friend?"

The Aelf's voice wavered for a moment, "Ris."

Behind the Kurnothi, Alicia seemed to stiffen at his words, turning so her back faced them. She seemed to shake quietly. Feinour suddenly felt awash with guilt.

"This, Ris, you were close to him hmm?" Oakheart laid a steady hand on his shoulder, the oaken limb was gentle for its sheer size, surprising the Aelf. Hands that could crush an Orcs head like a grape touched him reassuringly.

"Yes, very close."

"I see. What did he say in your dream?"

The vision flooded back in that horrifying instant. Seeing his friend die, swallowed by darkness, surrounded by fear. Lost. Alone. He had tried to yell, to reach out. But nothing happened. His limbs would not move, he could only watch, aghast as his comrade screamed and cried. "Help me, HELP ME PLEASE! You could have saved me; I could still be alive if it wasn't for you!" Feinour shook now, Ris's face and voice distorting unnaturally around him, "you betrayed me, you abandoned me, YOU killed me!" The images and sounds span and span and span.

And just like that, he was back in the forest clearing, the picture in his mind's eye disappearing as quickly as it had come. He looked down, wet splotches had formed on his green robes, his face felt wet. Tentatively, he wiped his eyes before staring back up at the kindly Sylvaneth.

"It's alright kindred, I am here."

Feinour gasped, "I'm sorry, I was lost in thought."

Oakheart kept smiling, "Indeed, fear not, you are safe here, yes?" The Aelf nodding at his words through shaky but steadily calming breaths. "You feel grief, I understand, the ways of war take their toll on mortal folk." The Sylvaneth plucked a leaf from his shoulder, holding it down to the Aelf's eye line, "tell me, what do you see here?"

"A leaf?"

"Look closer."

"Um, nature, life?"

"Yes! Life." Oakheart's eyes twinkled as he continued, "all living things here are granted life by The Great Tree, its magic weaves through each stream, tree, and leaf." Feinour nodded slowly in response, unsure where this was going or of its relevancy. "Cycles of life change and evolve, this leaf here will soon die, wither to dust and be cast adrift, as all things will with time." He placed it carefully in Feinour's palm, "but therein lies the beauty of it, this leaf may die yes, but a new one will grow to take its place." As if to illustrate his point, a bud shot out from where he had plucked the errant greenery, blossoming and reforming in the original's place. "We mourn the passing of these cycles, just as you mourn your fallen kin, but consider this my friend, what is your grief, if not your love persevering?"

Feinour paused, the Sylvaneth's words swirling like a breeze through his mind as Oakheart went on. "Life is in all places, all things. The cycle of death is perhaps much the same. Each warrior slain; their spirit is never truly lost. After all, you remember each and every one." he finally removed his hand from the Aelf's shoulder, "these faces, they mean something to you, it is your drive, your compassion. It makes you who you are Feinour. For this, there is nothing to be ashamed or fearful of."

The Nomad Prince suddenly smiled, he understood. "Thank you honored one. Truly."

"The honor is all mine, my friend."

Feinour bundled the gifted leaf into a small satchel at his belt as he rose, Oakheart rising with him. He glanced up at the towering tree-kin, letting out a polite laugh, "same time next week then?"

The Sylvaneth laughed happily with him. "As always my friend, we are here whenever you need us." Feinour was about to correct him on the 'we' before he caught sight of Alicia once more, she noticed his eyes meet with hers. Lingering for a second, she gave a tearful smile. Her gaze was no longer piercing, it was soft, empathetic.

He gladly returned it.