Tale Of The White Wolf [River Of Wonders - 2]

18: Dawn At Barrenasiya

They rode for almost six days, not stopping for even sleeping. When the soldiers asked about the reason, Lalaith only said, "It is better to reach there as soon as possible. We are running out of time. Lady Thuna will rise to power if we are late. I won't take any risks anymore." On the dusk of the seventh day they reached the city. They made a camp two miles away from the city walls. Everyone went to sleep as soon as they got the chance. Only the elves remain awake. They lay down on their beds listening to the outer world. Lalaith kept looking at the ceiling of her tent. Then she heard a very familiar music sound. Somewhere in the camp someone was playing flute. The tune was familiar to her. She sat up straight and pulled off the blankets. She listened for few more minutes, then stood up and walked out of the tent.

The sky was covered with stormy clouds. She slowly walked between the tents, careful not to wake anyone. When she was out of the camp she looked around. The tune faded into oblivion and there was deadly silence, everywhere. She walked towards the trees, which were growing on the edge of the hill. She looked down the hill and saw another smaller hill, but flat. She jumped and landed on the lower ground, lightly. She walked silently as it started raining. Lalaith stopped dead and put her hands on her chest. It was her worst nightmare. She was afraid of rain. She was trying to clear her mind when...

"Mother!!!!" A girl screamed. Lalaith turned around and saw herself running towards her mother. One of their enemies raised his sword and sliced the front of the elven queen. She fell on her back and the enemy vanished as he ran away. Young Lalaith ran to her mother and sat beside her. "Mother, please don't leave me." She cried. Her mother put a hand on her cheek and whispered.

"I am sorry. Take your brother and run away. Finduilas will find you. Go, Irime. Run. Irime of the wind, run away, and let it carry you far." And her hand fell on the ground. Irime screamed and looked at the sky. It started raining. Her brother ran towards her, his black elbow-length hair flying in the air. He sat beside her and moved his mother. But she was still. Lalaith grabbed his hand and stood up. Both of them stood there, looking around. Then they started running. When they passed Lalaith, both of them stopped and looked back at their father. At that very moment a warrior swung his sword and the king was beheaded. Irime screamed with grief, but her brother took the lead and ran onwards. He was controlling his feelings. They were not far when ten of their enemies surrounded them. Irime came in front of her brother and looked at her right. And then she saw her sister, Finduilas riding on a horse. Finduilas looked at them but didn't stop.

Lalaith ran after Finduilas shouting, "Stop! Save them. They need you, Finduilas!!!" As she reached the edge of the hill, without realizing it, she took another step and someone shouted. A familiar voice from the past.

"Lalaith!" It was full of shock. And a hand grabbed her by her right wrist. It was a familiar touch. And that person pulled her towards himself and hugged her.

"Let go. Let go. I want to save them." Lalaith shouted and pushed the person away from her. Angry, when she looked at the man, she froze. "Halias?" She whispered with shock.

"You would have died." He answered and pointed behind her. She looked back and saw that she was standing on the edge of the hill. She gasped and moved backwards. She was about to hit Halias when he put his hands on her shoulders. He lowered his face and brought his mouth to her left ear and whispered,

"That was not real. It was in your mind. You should go in your tent and rest. I know that you fear rain. Lalaith of the Wind." And he let go of her and moved few steps backwards and said aloud, "I know how you feel. I lost everyone, except my brother. Narui, is alive and I left him behind because I fear to lose him now. Lalaith I want to help you, now. I failed to help you centuries ago. But I want to help now. And this time I won't turn around and leave you. I am glad you are alive. And above all you found someone who you loved. And I am happy that you married him. I am happy that you found a true family. Come, Lalaith. Let me help you this once." Halias said and raised his hand towards her. She looked at his face and then at his hand.