Returning Home

I'm Home

When Gwyn woke again, she was surrounded by a feeling she had tried to will her mind to forget on more than one occasion. Unwilling to open her eyes just yet in case she had actually lost her mind and it was all just a dream, she curled the emerald blanket around her body and inhaled. Now she really refused to open her eyes as the familiar scent flooded her senses and silent tears rolled down. She hadn't cried since she left. She had adamantly refused to show her tears to those that would cause them.

It seemed like the last eight years worth of tears were coming through now. She clung tighter to the blanket, thankful that no one was around to witness her complete break down. Memories she had locked away of all the hurtful stares, comments and actions of those in the girl's home. Every painful memory, every bit of torture covered up with the fancy title of exorcism meant to rid her of the demons and get her to put a name to what she had done came flooding back.

As those memories came flooding back in others came to combat them. Nights spent sneaking into other girls rooms after a particularly nasty punishment and running her fingers through their hair while they slept, humming the song her mother used to sing and letting her magic soothe their aches and heal them. Days spent out in all weather, perfecting the gardens. The gardens where she met Nero and spooking him by not only understanding him but speaking back to him in his language.

Nero! He was with her when that voice spoke as she called out for Lord Death! With that thought her eyes flew open as she gently raised herself from the bed. Had he made it here with her? She promised when she left she would bring him with her. She had many promises and vows to keep and she wasn't going to start breaking any of them.

She looked around and took in the view of her room. It had the same general look about it. Some furnishings had changed. Instead of a toy bin, there was a small desk and chair fully stocked with writing supplies. Over to the side on her bookshelves some of her favorite story books had remained, added along with them were beginners guides to all manner of magic. The elves must still be here, which would mean...

Just as she thought it, a small pop sounded off to the side and she sucked in a breath to steady herself before turning slightly.  There, right in front of her with Nero around her shoulders was Maeve. Her great green eyes watering as she took her in and shook her head, making her ears wobble slightly. Gwyn let out a shaky breath and opened her mouth, her mind failing her as no words seem to be enough for a greeting after being gone for eight years.

"Little Misses.... Is that you? You really being back with Maeve?" The little elf seemed to be of the same belief, that this was all some cruel dream and if she blinked Gwyn would be gone again.

"Maeve..." Gwyn breathed out, opening her arms and enveloping the creature as she came running forward. "It's really me, Maeve. I'm really back." She kept her voice gentle as Nero slithered onto her shoulders and flicked his tongue as if checking her for injuries.

"Maeve be taking Misses Gwyny's Hissy out to eat and bringing him back and now Maeve be taking Misses Gwyny to eat unless Misses Gwyny be wanting to eat here but Misses Gwyny must be eating." Gwyn couldn't help the laugh that came out as the elf immediately fell back into the role of her caretaker.

"I'll go to the dining hall, I know how much you dislike clearing dishes from rooms. And thank you for taking care of Nero for me." She beamed down at Maeve. She wasn't much taller now, but being taller at all meant that too much time had passed.

Maeve took her hand and nodded. "Hissy Nero was a very good familiar. No hissing and biting and was very nice to Hissy 'Gini."

Gwyn stilled in her movements of preparing to leave the room and turned to fully face Maeve. "Nagini is here? She's still here?" It was impossible to keep all of the hope out of her voice.