Isilme

Disclaimer: hummm, don’t think I’m in the mood for this…
Chapter 4

The rain was finally calming down but it didn’t change the fact that they were soaking wet. Isilme continued towards the village at a fast pace, carrying Lani in her arms. As the trees around them became fewer and fewer, the path widened out and became the main village street.

The girl was looking intently at the elf, as if measuring her long time friend. ‘How old she must be…’ And then, just as an epiphany, it struck her. "Tell me 'bout my mother."_ Lani asked in a low slur. A tender smile played across Isilme's face as she chuckled softly at the girl's demand.
Closing her eyes, Isilme remembered when she first came to the village and a clear picture of Lani's mother running around through the village's narrow streets, cheerfully playing with other children.

"She would have been your age . . . no, a bit younger, when I first saw her. She was just like you! Always running around and causing her mother heart attacks!"

"You knew my grandma?"

"Aye, I that did! You have her eyes, you know? Beautiful and green like the trees of my home!...”

When I first came here your grandmother helped me a lot. She made me feel welcome and comfortable, even knowing I was different. Your mother and I grew as sisters."

"Was my mummy beautiful?"_ asked Lani in an almost unintelligible voice.

"Of course! She still is!"_ Isilme's voice was as smooth and soft as the wind.

Isilme caressed Lani's soft features, brushing her hair behind her ears. She was now sleeping with her fingers tangled in Isilme's clothes and trembling with cold. Isilme ran her hands through Lani's body, noticing just how freezing her skin was. She was doing her best to rub the cold out of her precious arms.
When she left home this morn to jog, it was with the intention of trying to sooth her spirit which had been restless in the previous days. It looked like she would have to leave that for another time. So, Isilme inhaled deeply, trying to get that freshness and freedom of the forest inside her. The smell there was somewhat sweet: the scent of nearly wet grass and earth flooded the air all around. Keeping that picture of perfection in her would have to do for the time being.

Soon they neared Lani’s house. Isilme entered silently, carefully opening the door so as not to wake her up. Lani mumbled something in her sleep which was enough to tell her mother she was back home. "I knew she was with you," Sahla said, smiling softly as she entered the small cosy room. "She likes you so much and looks up to you."
A small proud but humble smile tugged at the corners of Isilme's mouth. The thought of such a little thing looking up to her made her hurting heart swell and tears prickle the corners of her eyes. Her fingers played absently with one of the old wooden chairs resting against the wall. " It is time I stop hiding and face my life. Isilme turned thoughtfully and with reluctance clearly showing in her melodious voice. “It is time I face myself!" This last comment had come out more to her rather than as a part of the conversation g heg held between them.

"It will break her heart, you know? Your departure I mean."

Isilme turned her gaze to the floor. She didn't want to think of it, she just couldn't!

"I should probably go home. I have some things to do: I have to give some thought about certain things. I'll come back tomorrow."_ Isilme bent over and kissed Lani's cheek tenderly.

"Do as you must," Sahla said sadly, holding the elf's hand in her own. "You have to get on with you life, but don't let the past get in the way." the woman paused a moment to catch Isilme's gaze. "It is good to remember, yes, but do not let the memories overshadow your future."

With that Isilme walked out, struggling inside and trying hard not to shed the tears bursting to get out. She headed home, but was paying no attention to the way. Time had stop running for her. She eventually got home but couldn't quite tell if it had been minutes or hours since she left Lani's house. The moment she closed the door behind her one lonely tear made its way down her cheeks.

The wind blew swiftly across the room, whispering as it entered through the wide opened window. Isilme was, by then, feeling just about the saddest she had felt in a long time! There were just too many things for her to handle all at once. The recent event in the forest still echoed in her head. Iit had been a long time since she had remembered so effusively the day her mother had been so savagely take from her, an immortal soul snuffed out by the darkness she knew that threatened all that was light and good in the world. No! She wouldn't go over it again! The pain and the agony were still too near!

Isilme slowly closed her eyes as an uncomfortable look appeared on her face. Something was wrong! She strained her pointy ears and walked over to the window. She could feel something drawing near. The wind grew bringing her all the answers! She suddenly opened her huge eyes. A terrified expression was starting to form upon her face! She was now completely petrified, as frozen as ice. Her heart was beating fast. She could not go over all that again! Then she remembered Lani... her eyes. She was not going to let anything happen to her. She would even give her life for the girl’s if needed!
Quickly, Isilme ran to the other side of the room and reached the old chest lying almost forgotten in the corner of the room. It opened creakily and filled her nostrils with the smell in contained inside, the scent of something old. She glanced at the magnificent sword inside, despite its long years spent with absolutely no use and care, it still looked as new. She ran her fingers over it, feeling it. She held it firmly in her right hand- the time had come for her to use all the skills she was taught.

And in that same moment she made a promise to herself, or maybe renewed one she had made long ago. She would never again lose anyone she loved to the hands of the orcs!

She could do now what she couldn't all those years ago!

Author’s Note: Things are finally starting to heat up!