The Last Valkyrie

A New Beginning

I wake up from a very light sleep and allow myself to stare at the ceiling for a moment, not wanting to start the day, not wanting to be bothered with the heavy thoughts. How did this happen, really? How did I get lucky from all the slaves I've known. I clasp my hand around the pendant and centre myself. Time to do some mind-stilling.

After I finish my breathing exercises I get on the ground floor and there is a Fae female from yesterday. She notices me and smiles.

"Hey. Good morning. I'm Feyre."
"Hi, Feyre. Pleased to meet you."
"Are you hungry? Because I'm starving. I can make us some oatmeal."

I nod and accept the offer. She moves gracefully, almost as if she were sliding and not walking. She is stunning, in that distinct High Fae kind of way.

"How are you feeling?", she asks. "I know yesterday was a specific day."
"Honestly. I'm all empty inside. Guess that's a step up from all the hurt."
As if to distract me she starts sharing her own bits and pieces of life. "You know, I wasn't born Fae. I was a human. By a strange turn of events, I got here. I am still unsure about myself and everything I'm feeling or everything I'm supposed to be. But one thing is sure. This is a better life for me."
"You didn't like being human?"
"Yes and no. I didn't mind being a human. However, my life was... Difficult. I don't believe it was as difficult as yours though." She takes a deep sigh. "I can't imagine what it was like for you."
"It's not a competition. Your pain is your own. If someone had it worse, that doesn't somehow make your suffering less. We all have our difficult stories."

She doesn't answer immediately and brings oatmeal in front of us. Sprinkled with hazelnuts and chocolate chips.

"This looks amazing", I said as I dig in, suddenly very hungry.
"Did you manage to get any sleep?"
"A bit. Briefly in the early morning."
"Good. It's something. By the way... Is your hair... longer than yesterday?"
I chuckle. "Yes. I think it's a part of this slow Valkyrie transition if that's what's even happening. My eyes are different too. They don't look brown anymore. More like grey."
"Actually, they are silver. And stunning. When I became Fae, my features changed as well. For a while, I kept surprising myself in the mirror."

We dive into a very easy conversation, joke around and compare parts of our lives. It is nice to talk to someone friendly. She has a relaxed attitude and feels comfortable around the Townhouse. After we finish our meal, she makes us tea and we sit in the living room and continue chatting. While things we share with each other aren't always light, I am enjoying her company and compassion. Hours go by and I learn about everything, as much as she can tell me. Slavery ended. We won the war and there is a wall. She tells me parts of her story, how she became Fae. And then I learn about the very probable war that is coming.

"It's not fair you know. From one war to another", Feyre says with a sigh.
"I don't think I get to ask for fair since I got a second chance at life."
"I've been thinking. When I came here, I was illiterate. It was one of the first things Nigh Court gave me. Would you like me to help you learn to read and write?"
"Oh, I would love that! When can we start?"

It turned out, we could start immediately. So our day turned into a mix of talking and learning. She was patient with me, correcting my awkward and clumsy letters. We ate lunch together and afterwards, she started reading a book while I practised some more.

"You know, Feyre, you don't have to stay here with me all day. I am fine to be alone."
"Honestly, currently there is nothing better for me to do. In the evening I will have a training session and I have to fill my time till then. It is refreshing to be around you."
"Oh, okay. I just wanted to make sure you didn't feel an obligation towards me. I'm completely fine being on my own, I won't wall apart."
"You don't look so fragile to me anyway."
"Though... Do we have some candles here?"
"Yes, I can find some. How much do you need?"
"I need three."
She finds candles and matches for me. I arrange them on the table and kneel next to it.
"This is a tribute for my fallen friends", I explain. "One I am lighting for their courage and bravery. For their sacrifice on the battlefield. The other I am lighting for friendship and love I have found in them. And the last one I'm lighting for my loss."