Moongrace

Part 9

"Evan, what shall I do?" she asked with a desperate look in her eyes and ran her fingers through her unmanagable hair.

Evan firmly looked at her: "I guess you have no choice. Representing Nasca you will live in comfort and may be able to run away one day. And this is what she wants you to do. I can't even imagine how she will be able to treat you lower than she already has. And if you choose to present Nasca, you please the Queen and we might not be forced apart."

She nodded, understanding. She had come up with most of this on her own while the Queen was talking, but she needed to hear that he understood it as well. She turned back to the Queen, bowing again.

"You have decided?" the Queen asked after a while in her majestic way.

Eleeza looked up to the Queen and said calmly: "I have, your majesty. I chose to serve as your daughter's servant representing her on royal functions."

The Queen smiled: "This was a wise choice, Girl. To show my gratitude I will give you three weeks off from work, as well as your friend here. You both are free to spend your time wherever you want. But in exactly three weeks you must be back here to start your new task. I want you to wear a veil to cover your face so no one will learn who you are. I have thought of this very well, and I have come up with a plan to prevent you from running off with your little friend here. You might think of me as a mean person now, but this is the only way I can make sure." she got up.

Eleeza's prior faint smile had faded the more the Queen revealed. Fear showed on her face, when the Queen told her to get on her knees. She winced a little when the skin over her wounds was stretched. The Queen stepped towards her and put her hand over Eleeza's eyes. Eleeza got stiff, too afraid to move.

"I will take the sight from you. Only when you return you will get it back..." she murmured some more words, and then took her hand away. Eleeza's eyes opened and wandered around, she blinked, even rubbed her eyes. Sightless she looked behind her, where she assumed Evan. He took her searching hand and pressed it in assurance.

"It seems like my magic worked." the Queen said with a winning smile on her face. Evan could hardly stop himself from shouting at her. He hated that crazy witch that could not stop hurting his girl with all his heart. But he kept still, stayed silent, trying to convince himself that this was the best he could do for Eleeza right now. He hoped the Queen would dismiss them now, but the Queen was more evil than he had imagined, because she was not done.

"I do know that I am not the only witch out here, so I have figured another thing. I know your friend won't be able to convince a witch of healing you, Girl. If ever, only you would be able to do so. That's why I came up with a special spell. When you talk, Girl, only some persons on this world will be able to hear you. Including me, the complete royal family, people you are related to and your servant friend Evan. He will have to guard you. We will be the only ones able to hear your voice. Everyone else will just see your mimic but not hear a single sound. Now go, enjoy your three weeks. Only when you return I will take those enchantments from you."

The Queen turned one last time to Eleeza, spoke some incomprehensible words and then touched the isen. It opened and fell to the floor. The Queen sat back on her throne and made a gesture to dismiss the two of them. A maid came towards Eleeza and put a black veil over her head fixing it quickly with two hair needles, pity in her voice: "I wish you the best of luck, Girl!", she whispered, then quickly turned away.

Evan helped Eleeza get up and put an arm around her waist. He led her out of the room feeling numb and empty. She stumbled quite a few times and pressed Evans hand very hard.

Their way from the Queens chambers to the servant track took them very long, but at least they were not stopped by anyone. Just stared at with hushing, questioning eyes. But no one questioned them. Evan had to lead her of course and she hated to not know what was in front of her. She was frightened and very much disoriented.

The moment they reached the room Eleeza sank down on the floor and started to cry. Evan was shocked, he had never seen her in such a state. He sat down next to her and took one of her hands. Tears started flowing from his face as well. For he was as hopeless as Eleeza and he could not see her crying. His will to protect her was immense, but he seemed to fail every time. He felt her other hand touching him, working their way up his arms and shoulders, searching for his face. When she felt his tears, she dried his cheek and buried her head on his shoulders. Her small body was shaking from her sobs. He let her cry for a long while, not being able to stop himself. But it would not end. Each sobbing attack was followed by another. He pulled the veil from her head and started caressing her cheek.

"Shh, shh", he called softly, "shh! I will take you to a place, where there is just you and me. We will finally have time for us alone. And in three weeks we shall come back and you will see again. Shh, do not cry! I can't see your tears. You see, those three weeks will turn out well. Eleeza, dear. Please!"

Her sobs eventually faded and she was able to speak again: "I... I actually thought we could run off. But... but I cannot see. Everything is black ar... around me! I... I can't see you, I... I am totally help... helpless." she sobbed.

He petted her hair: "No! You are not. You still have your magic and you have me to help you with everything. And I have heard that blind people can learn to sense and hear a lot more around them. I will try to teach you. I will make you listen to the most beautiful sounds on earth. You see nothing will be so bad anymore." He tried to calm her best he could.

He silently talked to her for some time, trying to make her feel better and give her some hope. He desperately wanted to calm and protect her.

She finally stood up, with the help of Evan. Her sense of balance was disturbed since only her ears could sense it now. He helped her find her way to the table where she carefully sat down.

"I am going to make dinner." he said and moved to the oven.

"Please keep talking!" she said and felt for the table. Then she folded her arms on the table and put her head on it. Eyes closed she listened to the comments of Evan while he cooked the soup.