Dragonsoul

Chapter 25

Adventure was a fickle thing. It could find you at the most inconvenient times when you were supposed to sweep the house or feed the chickens.

Yet, when you called upon it with all your might, it decided to leave your pleas for forgetfulness unanswered.

It was not there to sweep you off your feet and into the world of make-believe when you most needed it. 

You could not seek adventure, adventure was the one who could find you, but sadly for Leonie, this time, when she needed it the most, it was nowhere to be found.

Exploring the cave with Nald and Rim was fun, but Leonie could not focus on the astonishing cave that would become Rim's home.

There was a dark cloud looming over her head, one of those that were sure to bring a rain of tears, and Leonie was tired of crying, of being weak.

Since the moment she took her first step, she was strong, capable. Since her father's death, all she felt was weak, broken.

Although she knew that many children had lost their fathers before and yet they went on, to her, it felt like she could not do it.

She could not let life go on without him.

Leonie was trapped in her sadness, feeling lonely even when surrounded by her family.

Screaming until there was no air left in her lungs was what she needed and knew she could not have, not yet.

There were many challenges she had to face before she could allow herself to fully feel the depth of her pain before she was finally ready to let go.

Years would have to pass before she was ready to make a new path for herself, to find a way to truly live and not hide her heart of hearts behind a block of ice, for protection.

However, for the time being, she did her best to focus her attention on Rim's joy at having a place of his own and on Nald's excitement at visiting the cold cave for the first time.

"Leonie! Leonie!!!!" Nald's voice finally got through Leonie's preoccupied mind.

"Sorry, were you calling me?" Leonie asked, confused.

"Just for the last ten minutes! Where did you wander off?" Nald asked.

"Just thinking, that's all," Leonie said.

Her little brother, hyperactive as he was, did not question her further but went on with what he wanted to say.

"There is a smaller cave in here, and it's awesome. Do you think it would be a good place for us to stay in when we come to visit?" Nald asked excitedly.

"Absolutely. That sounds like a wonderful idea." Leonie said, barely managing a small smile.

"Yes! We will have so much fun here, Leonie, won't we?" He asked.

"We sure will," Leonie replied distractedly.

It was clear that she could not fully appreciate the exploring, so she decided not to spoil the experience for Nald and Rim, as well.

"Listen, I forgot that I need to go talk with mom about something. Why don't you two go on exploring, and when you come back you can tell me all about it." Leonie said.

"Sure!" Nald said excitedly.

"Are you sure? Is everything okay?" Rim asked before she had the chance to leave.

"Yes, I need to speak with my mother. There is something she isn't telling me, and I need to know what it is." Leonie said.

"Alright, whatever it is, remember that she is your mother, and there is nothing she wouldn't do to protect you. Even if it doesn't look like the smartest thing to do." Rim said, cryptically.