The Fellowship's Silvertongue

Another Silver Tongue

She loved books. You could never catch her without a book. She was a special girl, Kayla. She was a Silvertongue, anything she read aloud from a book would come alive. She avoided reading aloud, but sometimes, when she really needed something, she'd get it.
But there was always a consequence, there always is. If she reads something out, something goes in. That's why she avoided reading near her family, she would not bear to see one of them trapped in another world. 

Her second cousin, once removed, Mortimer, is just like her. A Silvertongue, his daughter Meggie, too. Meggie once read herself into a book, she got out of course, who would tell the tale?

Kayla was almost 20 years old, had graduated from high school, had a job (not in a library, unfortunately, they weren't hiring), and lived with her parents. She didn't have enough money to buy or rent a home. College was never an option, it was also too expensive. Her job was at the town's Doctor's Office. She shadowed Dr. Harry Burn, treated small illnesses and minor injuries, and one of her favorite activities was trekking into the forest with Dr. Burn for medicinal herbs. She had read every nursing textbook in the office and at the library. Dr. Burn often told her she could pass any exam if she were to take one. She also read everything from herb identification to gardening to harvesting to brewing. Dr. Burn also hinted that, when he retired, she would take his place. The thought of it was nerve-wracking, but she was good at it. 

After work, she would go to the library and check out a book. She had read them all. But, today was different. The bell above the door jingled as Kayla entered the small building.

"Good evening, Kayla! Good news, I just got new inventory from town! Want to help shelve them?" Ms. Susan, the librarian, smiled.

"Oh yeah, sure!" Kayla's green eyes sparkled with delight as she lent a hand.

Book after book she sorted onto each shelf until she came to a collection of three books, bound together with a leather strap and silver buckle, old-fashioned paperback books. On the front in gold letters wrote: The Lord of The Rings Trilogy. J.R.R Tolkien. 

The name was familiar as she was aware of the famous trilogy, but she never had the chance to read it. Although, when she was young Mortimer's wife, Resa read The Hobbit to her and Meggie. She remembered how much she enjoyed the sweet tale, and wondered if the trilogy was similar. It had to be. 

"As a reward, you can check those out first. Thanks for the help." Ms. Susan nodded to Kayla.

"Really? Thanks!" Kayla replied and ran back home.

Kayla entered her house, wiped her boots on the doormat, and rushed to the living room. 

"Hey, mom! Ms. Susan gave me these new books!" Kayla stopped in front of her mother, who at the moment, was fixated on the TV. 

"Uh-huh. You're making a better wall than a window there, Honey." Her mother waved her away.

Kayla's parents couldn't care less about her books. Kayla loved them, but they didn't love Kayla. At least she didn't think they did, and they never really showed it. Still, despite their treatment of her, she thought if she showed them her love, it would be returned. 

The smile on her face faded away, and she walked up to her room. She set the collection on her desk and took out the first book.

"The Fellowship of The Ring." She read aloud, then slapped her hand over her mouth. "Better watch your tongue, Kayla." She mumbled.

She then plopped down on her bed, kicked off her shoes, and began to read. Right after the first paragraph she fell in love with the detailed writing and new world. The first chapter amazed her, the description of these creatures called Hobbits was amazing, for she'd love to live in Bag-End with Frodo and Bilbo Baggins. The second chapter she read without even trying, like muscle memory. By the time she reached the fourth chapter, it was almost 6:00.

"Tomorrow," Kayla said to herself. 

Her parents were probably expecting dinner. They stopped cooking after discovering that she had excelled in her high school's cooking class. Kayla walked through the living room passing her mother who was still watching TV. From the kitchen, she could see her father having a smoke. His face was already wrinkled and hollow despite not being that old. Kayla opened the window and called out to him.

"Dad, what do you want for dinner?" She asked, or supper, she thought, remembering the seven meals hobbits had each day.

Her father looked at her and let out a puff of smoke. She tried to imagine him as Gandalf with a pipe but failed.

"I don't know. Something with meat," he replied. She didn't know why she even asked, he always replied with that answer. 

Kayla walked over to the pantry and spotted the pasta. Spaghetti and meatballs. She grabbed the box and set it on the counter. She got the water boiling and began to make the meatballs. Soon the prepping was done and Kayla set the table. She walked over to the living room.

"It's time for dinner." She notified her mom, and then went outside to get her dad.

"Dad, it's time for dinner." She called.

Her dad nodded, dropped his cig on the ground, and put it out with his boot. Kayla went back inside and sat down next to her mom.

"Don't sit too close, our elbows will bump," her mom said serving herself.

Kayla scooted away and served herself. The man of the house walked in and sat himself down.

"I thought we had Spaghetti last night," he grumbled.

"No, Dad, that was last week," Kayla replied.

"Whatever."

As they ate, Kayla waited for her parents to speak, about anything. They could ask her about her day or comment on the food. But they were silent. Kayla swallowed her mouthful before breaking the silence. 

"How is it?" She asked. 

"How's what?" Her mom responded. 

"The food." 

"It's fine," Dad replied. He eyed his wife and she cleared her throat. 

"It's fine, Kayla," she said. "Thank you." 

Kayla gave a light smile and picked at her plate. Something was better than nothing. After dinner, she cleaned up the kitchen went back to her room, changed into her pajamas, and went to bed, excited to continue reading the book. 

After a week, Kayla finished the first book. She wanted to sit with the information and emotions that came with it, but she was urged to go on to the second. She knew she would finish the series quickly. 

A/N:
I'm sorry if half of you don't know where this Silvertongue thing is coming from, it's based off the Inkheart series by Cornelia Funke. It's a magical trilogy. K.. Thanks 4 reading, please leave a comment, they are much appreciated!

A/N (2024): I'm doing some rewriting and editing because there are inconsistencies and things are NOT REALISTIC. I wrote this in 8th grade, have some grace.