Faegraw

Chapter 1 - Uncertain Times

The sun set few minutes ago and The one who hold still like a lake, was growing weaker rapidly. He must have felt his end was near. His voice, trying to outscream the calling of the Gates, so loud in his ears, that he couldnt hear her voice. She knew his death was just heartbeats away.

This bony, shaky old man. She knew him almost her whole life and yet she could never bring herself to like him. He had this affect on most living beings. Even now, when he was the last star in the sky in the back of her mind, even when they were the last two faegraws in the Arda, she felt like she was witnessing a passing of a stranger.

Not that it left her indifferent. He tryed to urge her, much smaller and also quite weakened fellow, to drag him further and further into the forest. She would swear that he would be content if she could drag him to just other side of the clearing, although they both realised he can't continue further.

Now even his shouts grew weaker as he was trying to pass some sort of information on her: "Find... the bottom of the bag..." he started wheezing "... find fifteen... they need to know... they need to know..." his words were getting quieter and quieter until there was only silence.

As his eyes dimmed she saw that one last star vanish into the darkness that washed over her. Her eyes started to sting as she stood up above the lifeless body. Ironically she didnt cry for him but for herself. She was alone now. The last of her kind. Memories of those she had lost and loved so far, filled her mind as she watched his outstratched hands, as if he was still trying to reach the other side of the clearing, even in death. She couldnt watch it anymore.

Turning herself away her legs started moving on their own. All these souls gone, all the faces and smiles. Last six years weighted hard on her. So much was lost... she has lost so much, too much. Before she knew, she was dashing through the forest. Stopping only after she slipped on mud and stars shining through branches and leaves came to view.

Stars. Stories and names of constelation filled her mind almost automatically. Well-know drill repeating itself again and again. She could name every star, navigate through the night and tell legends of them even backwards. Lenora loved them and nagged her to repeat it to her every night in her childhood. Her little troublemaker.

She didnt see her in those long years and had no news of her. There was a nagging question she just refused to ask herself. She feared that if she did, the worst would become true.

She stared blankly upwards as she tryed to clear her thoughts. Replacing every other face of the lost with Lenora's. She was in Esgaroth, when they departed, and planned to stay there for the time. So she will go there. She missed her every day and wanted to meet her at least once more. They were away much longer than she liked and had it not been for The one who danced with trees, she would have returned before next winter came. She couldn't leave that fool alone.

She will go to Esgaroth and hope Lenora was still there. She needed to check the farm on the way in case Lenora went to visit her former guardians. If she would not find her there, Gondor would be her next stop and if everything fails, she will need to ask around. Her Lenora was quite striking figure afterall. If someone saw her, she would be remembered.

Yes. That almost sounded like a plan. She was never good with them... On the other hand, improvisation was something she usually exceled in. This was one improvised plan, yes, that sounded solid. Good. Good.

She stood up and climbed up a tree to orientate herself, stars showing her the right direction. She had an urge to let herself go with the wind but it wasnt the best idea now, considering her mental state. She would have to walk for now. She have walked a long distance in last months and can go even further. Her body was mosty healed now, in contrast to her aching soul.

She marched through the night and tried to fool her pained mind with fantasies of seeing Lenora once again. She can last a few months till she finds her. She can also last that long too at least. She can't let some evil spirits to kill her off just now. She had at least fifty years to go to reach the awarage mortal years of her peers. She still has what to live for. Lenora is still out there. And she will find her even if it is the last thing she will ever do.