If I Just Dreamed

Sympathy-(6 of 13)

He was right, Hyrule was the place where things go to die.

But in the end, it would bring up the case that she hadn't truly thought of when she first got here. Acceptance. Home was long from here. So long, that it was just a dream she had dreamt -- with such a constant lucidity, it was almost so real, but admittedly -- not real enough. She realized that it was best not to think about it.

The water of the spring was limpid, and undeniably sweet. The soft calls of the morning air weaned into her senses, and into her mind like a blanket. However, instead of warming her, it weighs her down like an uncanny mirage or brought forth from the consistency of spite, and ire. She brushed her hair over the other shoulder, and pressed the damp rag to the side of her face. Light, even shallow taps and nudges, yet the scratch would never let up. Perhaps it would come with time and constant spring water. This was Eldin's spring, meant to heal and nourish like the other three springs throughout Hyrule. Niah grimaced and threw the rag out of frustration, of course it wouldn't work. At least not for her that is. She pulled her knees to her chest and stared at the sparkling pool as the tiny waves gleamed in the moonlight as it slowly went down. There was little noise, the village was still asleep even as it approached the early hours of the morning. The crows were hiding away again, and the crickets were finishing their symphony. Niah's eyes looked towards the horses, Epona and Mara ate their share of hay, positioned without reigns or fencing, they would stay put to their own volition. It was sad though, because Niah never gave either of them a second thought, maybe when she wasn't sulking -- she would brush her later.

"This is stupid." Niah thought to herself, combing her fingers through her hair, it was oily, and tangled. A mess, which only added to her frustration. She had chewed her nails bare, and the inside of her mouth was already bitten raw, and no amount of confiding would help the situation.

"This is stupid, this is ridiculous. This is bullshit." It took every bone in her body to refrain from screaming.

The memory of debris, blood and knives flashed through her. With that she bit her lip, and could feel the blood pooling in her mouth.

"Hush my baby. Be still,

And don't cry. For you'll

Drift, and rock with the spring.

So sleep, and remember thou

Lullaby, for the Gods will stay

With you while you dream..."

The lullaby had caught Niah by surprise, she hadn't realized that anyone had come to the spring. There was a woman, wearing a light frock that stretched down to her bare feet. The woman's hair was a deep black, meticulously weaved or braided together down her back. Her eyes were a gentle shade of green, and as she brushed a strand of hair behind her pointed ear, only then did Niah notice the circlet of bright gold that rested on her brow. The woman did have a child with her. It cooed and shrilled, and layed in a delicately woven basket just floating near the land of the village in the water. The child was just out of arm's reach, and Niah watched in a weird sense of fascination, the lullaby continued.

"Goddess, O' Goddess,

Hold him gently for me, for

The cargo you bear is so

Precious, Let him rest

Somewhere, he can still

Dream. Goddess, O'

Goddess, I beg."

The lyrics ended, but was soon accompanied by a flute. It followed the lyrics with the same tempo, slow with a tiny hint of desperation towards the end. But the last note hit the air like a breath as it slowly drifted into the stillness of the environment. Niah knew it was rude to stare, but she couldn't help it. Her mind gravitated towards the serenade. Gradually, a smile spread to her lips, and the mother rested herself in the sand as she watched the cradle slowly drift into the lazy water.