Cult of the Lamb : The Man in the Forest

Chapter 11: Relief

Floating, drifting to and fro. Through a never ending ocean of warm, silken water. There was no pain there, only warmth and peace. She opened her eyes to see a beautiful sunset above her. Pink, cotton clouds drifted lazily overhead and she watched them while she floated along to who knows where. Every now and again, a gentle wave rocked her up and down. She found the sensation comforting, and closed her eyes to indulge in it. Hours, and hours she floated. The passage of time felt vague. Present, but only just. The waves grew in strength, their once comforting rock giving way to an uncomfortable jostle that spoiled her peace and caused her head to spin. She glared up at the sky, angry over this interruption. The sunset had disappeared, leaving a crimson glow in its wake. Then, a shadow. A massive, daunting silhouette of a wave rapidly growing in size. The crest towered above her, then fell. Merida could do nothing, there was nowhere to hide from the impact to come. It crashed down upon her, and she jolted as a stabbing pain throbbed at her middle. She gasped for air, sitting bolt upright in her bed despite the protesting pain in her abdomen. With her eyes wide open, she saw them. Her mother, and sister were sitting on the edge of her bed. Nykka standing in the background with Baal at her side. Khalyn was present, sitting on Lydie's bed with her hands helplessly in her lap. Kenedra was there too, sitting on the bed closest to her with tears soaked into her cheeks. All of them were staring at her in a mix of shock and joy.

"Oh, Merida...!" Lydie exclaimed, clasping her hands together as tears filled her eyes. Kenedra leaned over to wrap her arms around Merida, hugging her close.

"I was so frightened." She muttered through her tears. Merida hugged her in return despite the pain it caused her.

"I'm okay... I think." She said weakly, squeezing the cat close.

"Careful now, she shouldn't move too quickly." Her mother spoke softly, placing a hand on Kenedra's shoulder. The cat gave a little nod and released her, wiping her tears away.

"Where's Dad?" Merida asked in a hoarse voice.

"I'm here." Aym's voice came from behind, he had been standing in the doorway watching from afar. He approached her bed, and Kenedra hurriedly moved out of his way. At the sight of him, tears filled Merida's eyes.

"I- I'm so sorry..." He sat down on the bed and she ignored Mir̃alai's advice immediately as she hugged him tight. He held her in return, placing a kiss on her head.

"Don't... you don't need to apologize." He said softly, squeezing her close.

"I- I was so scared I'd never see you again." She cried, burying her face into his chest. "An- And what I said..." She sobbed, gripping his robes. "I love you, Dad." He rubbed her back, resting his cheek against her head.

"I love you too, Merida..."

"I- I can't believe I went in there alone." she huffed, "I'm so stupid."

"No, you're brave." He corrected her with a little squeeze. "And you're safe now, it's alright..." There was a sound of movement accompanied by footsteps.

"We'll be in the next room, hun." Her mother said softly before leaving along with everyone else. Merida forced herself to calm down and pulled away from her father. When she looked at him, she was surprised to see his eyes filled with tears. He held her cheeks in his hands, and pushed her wool back, uncovering her eyes so he could look at her face properly.

"I was so afraid." He sighed.

"You were?" It was not his love that confused her, only the idea that he felt fear.

"Of course... You and your sister are everything to me. I don't know what I'd do if I lost either of you." His brow furrowed, "You must have been terrified. Hurt and alone as you were." Merida nodded and sighed.