A Chosen Daughter

Chapter 19*E

"That's the last warning I will give you!" Leah tells her quietly "who are you to judge others?!"
"I'm" Marie starts, then straightens her spine pushing her shoulders back "I'm a chosen daughter!" She responds proudly
"Then act like one!" Leah snarls
"I am!" Marie screams at her. Leah's eyes turn silver in a second almost spitting sparks from the anger they hold. "Oh?! I thought you were acting like a proud ignorant fool!" Marie's face slackens in shock "One whose current actions causes disgrace and disgust upon the title chosen daughter! You do not deserve those marks!!" Marie's face pales. "I am ashamed to recognise you as a sister! Being a chosen daughter does not give you a right to behave and treat these people this way and one more ignorant sentence from your mouth I will renounce you as one of mine!!"

Marie's face crumples in pain. "Llleah?" She whispers. Leah looks at her with disappointment before turning her back on her and starting to walk away. Marie let's out a sob "Leah?" She sniffles, "Leah I'm sor.." her voice dies in her throat as Leah looks back at her over her shoulder.
"Don't!" Leah says simply "There's many you need to apologise to for your behaviour; starting with those around you, for your shameful, appalling treatment towards them and then mother! I however am not one of them! It is not my place to give you forgiveness or absolution" she turns to continue walking away, when Marie starts sobbing in earnest.

Leah stops and turns to observe the rookie daughter for a moment. Her face softens and some of her anger leaves. Slowly she walks back towards the lost girl. "You are acting out from a place of fear, I guess I can understand that, but you are meant to be their guide through it, the light in the darkness, the hand holding theirs providing a safe haven, the strength to go on when they're struggling to find It In themselves" Leah starts in a gentle voice. Chris looks at Leah in utter shock 'she guesses she can understand that?!' He wonders amazed to himself, 'day of reckoning upon them and she guesses she can understand feeling fear and acting out because it?! How on earth is he meant to deserve this woman?'

"What you need to understand though Marie, is while you call yourself a chosen daughter and are treating everyone despicably! Panicking about being judged and the possible punishment we may have to endure.." she pauses, swallowing. Looking down at the ground, shaking her head sadly "I'm thinking about the poor woman and what she will have to endure!" Both hands come up to clasp over her heart and her eyes fill with tears as she continues "I'm thinking about the numerous horrific acts I've witnessed! The increasingly disgusting events I regularly put a stop to! The truly traumatic abuse I've rescued others from .... and that poor woman will likely know it all well! Personally! I'm thinking about how, hour to hour, day to day, she will live her life in fear and pain and humiliation, knowing only loneliness and darkness for company. I'm thinking about my oath and how, as long as there is even one wolf still stood in mother's embrace, on her path, then I will be in my position; standing before them guarding them, protecting them! I promised mother I would protect her children even from themselves and that is what I do each day, but I will fail that one!" Her voice catches and breaks on those last words, so thick with emotion.

"I fight for those who can not fight! I'm a voice for those who can not scream! I stand firm and true in the face of those consumed with evil .. yet that one will know pain beyond anyone else. In the depths of despair I am a shoulder to cry on! In the moments of weakness I'm a pillar of strength to draw from! Alone in the darkness I'm the comforting presence that tells you; you are not alone! I'm the helping hand you can grasp to pull yourself out of the hollow pit .... yet how can I be that for her? Let her know she's not alone in her suffering!" She pauses looking in Marie's eyes pleading silently with her for an answer. "I can imagine her wishing for death a thousand times over .... but I can't imagine what it will be like, to live, with that pain each day ...... also carrying the unbearable weight of responsibility! Knowing that each day you suffer you must also struggle to find in yourself compassion for others, to be able to see each person as they are and not everyone as a worthless whole?! The fear of what if, the fear of if you break and allow your soul to be consumed with hate and the need for vengeance a whole race will perish! My mind is working trying to think of a way I can be there for her, keep my oath to her too! On the day the dice are cast I want to be stood beside her no matter her judgement .... because after a hard traumatic life that will probably be the hardest day yet for her!!

So have your moment, recognise your fear for what it is, but stop this behaviour! When you are ready, apologise to those around you. Never forget Marie ... the Goddess never loses hope in us! She is always there with welcoming arms and unconditional love."