Inexperienced Heart

Chapter 22: The Curse Reversed

"Since all of us are healthy, we should journey to Lost Surfer's Hollow," suggested Galadriel.

"You mean you know how to get there?" asked Landa disbelievingly.

"Yes."

"I had no idea," said Logan with as much disbelief as Landa.

"Let's get started packing," offered Goldtale.

"Wait!" cried Landa. "Where are my parents? I haven't seen them for almost two whole weeks."

No one could answer. Galadriel, sympathetic, put his hands on her shoulders and facing her, replied, "We have not seen your parents. We can't wait for them. You heard Palson's threat of rash behavior. We have no choice, but to go to Lost Surfer's Hollow as soon as possible. We will write a note and leave it here so they know where you are. There's not much else we can do, but to warn them not to come for you." Landa's eyes were swimming with tears as she recalled her loving parents and all they had done for her. She put her arms around the wizard and cried. He patted her gently and Landa felt comforted.

Landa felt better when Galadriel said they'd be leaving tomorrow morning. There was still hope! Her parents may return before their departure. Just in case they didn't, Landa stayed up late to write a letter to them. She wrote a letter, wasn't happy with it, and crumpled it up in frustration. She had already written five notes she wasn't satisfied with.

Finally, on the tenth try, she wrote a note that she was pleased with. She thought it was perfect. She read it to make sure nothing was missing.

"Dear loving parents," she read, "Goldtin, Logan, Galadriel, and I have journeyed out to Lost Surfer's Hollow. You have not been introduced to Galadriel yet. He is a wise wizard leading us to defeat the evil force. I hope to tell you all the facts when I return.

"Please, I urge you desperately to remain where you are. Do not go to Lost Surfer's Hollow after me. I will be fine.

"Goldtale is to stay behind at home. She will tell you all you need to know. Stay at home! With so much love, Landa. The others give you a most loving farewell."

Then, she read, "P. S. Logan's hand was cured. Tell you later." She wrote the date at the top, the date of tomorrow, of their departure.

Pleased with her work, she yawned and fell asleep instantly.

The next morning, they woke up with the rising of the sun. They packed two backpacks of food and one backpack of water. After a hurried breakfast, Goldtale bid her husband to stay safe and come home as soon as possible. She was very tearful and refused to let go of him. When Goldtin managed to release her arms from around him, they sped out of the house and into the woods.

Galadriel carried the heaviest pack, the water. Goldtin carried a small satchel over his shoulder, carrying a picture of Goldtale and a lot of carrots and lettuce. The teenagers each carried a pack of food.

With Galadriel leading and taking big strides, Landa and Logan had to run to keep up with him. A couple times, Landa asked him to slow down, but in response, he went even faster and said, "We must hurry and waste no time. He may control you any minute." Landa and Logan were shocked Goldtin could keep up with the wizard and they couldn't.

When they finally stopped for the night, their legs felt like jello and they collapsed onto the ground in weakness. Well, Landa and Logan did. The other two showed no signs of weariness. Landa and Logan were out of breath and dead tired. They had not eaten since they left the house, but they did drink water. They did not stop even once this day. They ate some food for dinner, but it was far from enough. They had to be careful not to eat it all at once. They still had a long way to go. After eating, the youngsters fell fast asleep while Galadriel stood on guard, watching and listening for danger. Goldtin took the second watch and then it was time to continue walking.