Between Two Worlds

30

VIL:

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I walk the paths... the same ones again. Though I feel, even if I know the way, that I discover it every time. I do not have memory so active. I can't remember but a couple days ago... It seems that walking alone is all that has come for my life.

Stiffness presses against my feet that have hardened for being bare all this time. The rough concrete under my toes bends as I step. The air so soft, yet so cold, wraps around my fingers and makes my sleeves act as a flag in the breeze. My knees push cotton forward and I let my toes escape from under the white fabric to catch the stone again.

I wear a dress that I pulled from my wardrobe this morning... beautiful white gown with a laced up torso and loose, flowing long sleeves. It has golden trim and a baggy amber rope belt to match. It is a dress that could have been worn for a fancier purpose... for something I wished I could have had before I never had it.

I am up high now, perhaps the highest platform in the city. I sit on a bench overlooking the valley. It is afternoon I believe. Though I skipped lunch. Nin would have killed me but I got to eat breakfast.

Just when I think I am alone I feel my hair move.

I would have flinched if I had my normal reactions back... but I sit there.

"So who are you to marry?" Niniliath asks.

I smile just a hint but not with my eyes. She refers to the dress of course. But I don't answer. Nothing I can think of wouldn't make me cry.

"So I saw you last night... with the king." There is a smile in her voice.

"And?" I ask plainly.

"Oh nothing..." she jokes and tightens a few locks of hair.

"You know I can elbow you back there."

"You wouldn't."

"Wanna bet?"

She chuckles. "You're so strange."

"Not to my origin or people."

"Really?"

I put my hand behind my head to thump her but she pulls her face back, the locks of hair she is holding getting tighter.

I huff and sit still again, shaking my head.

"Can I say something?" she asks.

"I don't know," I joke.

But she wraps her arms tightly around me from behind, laughing in an embrace. "I'm really glad you're still alive."

"Aww how sweet," I joke.

She gasps.

I laugh, the first one in a while, and then hesitate, clutching her soft elven hands with my rough ones. "And I too am glad that my best friend is still here..."

After a few seconds she sits me up straight again. "Okay stay still."

I obey and stare out at the sunbeams that shine down through the thick black clouds. The mountains seem to be still scary... though the light highlights a small area, making the beautiful golden trees appear for a brief moment.

When her hands finally rest on my shoulders I move my head.

"Now you look fit for a wedding," she chuckles.

I frown and touch the back of my head. All I can feel is an elaborate do of locks pinned into little, tight metal beads.  

"Here," she says and hands me a small mirror. She is holding one up behind me. I clutch it into the small piece of glass and direct it up to see into the one behind me.