Monday, June 19, 2006

The Frog Princess: Part IV

I sat there for several minutes in confusion. My dream had seemed like reality, and I shuddered as a tendril of breeze drifted across my bare shoulders.

Sighing, I left my bed and closed the shutters to the dawn. I quickly dressed and then splashed my face with cool water in an effort to still my nerves. I had many questions for nurse, and as I sat at my vanity table I tried to organize my thoughts as I awaited her arrival.

Presently, I heard a knock at my chamber doors and before I could bid the caller enter, nurse slipped in with a breakfast tray.

“I have come as I promised Addfwyn.” She said with a smile. “I found Taryn in the kitchens and advised her that I myself would care for you today.”

She placed the tray on a table and latched the door after a cursory glance down the corridor.

“Let us greet Dawn in all her glory, for it is not often that The Morning Star graces us with her presence for this long. She has taken the better part of an hour to herald Aine’s travels across the heavens today.” She announced as she drew aside the curtains and opened the shutters I had closed soon after waking.

While she stood at the window with her arms folded around herself, I admired her ageless grace and beauty. She gazed out of the window, concern marring her otherwise unwrinkled brow. Her platinum hair was wrought into a thick braid that tumbled down her back, and her cheekbones stood high beneath a pair of eyes that mirrored the sky at daybreak.

Anneth was almost as old as the world itself. There were few who knew that she was one of the blessed ones, a child of the earth, Daughter of Aine's thought and song. The creators themselves brought her to life at the beginning of the ages when A’ilthyr was new. Whatever she intended to teach me was imparted to her by the Great Creator Aine herself. I barely had time to contemplate further when she turned and fixed a steady gaze on me.

I knew that as a healer, Anneth had the ability to repair all manners of hurts and illnesses. She was also an empath and a seer. These too, were gifts from Aine and Maghnus. I knew that I was being appraised, and since I had nothing to hide, I allowed her to search my soul. I could feel her taking measure of my entire being. I felt a deep sense of calm radiate from the very center of my body as she did so. After a few moments, the calming sensation disappeared and a wave of panic swept over me. I gasped with shock when she withdrew from her search.

“ I am sorry, Addfwyn. I did not intend to delve too deep into your thoughts. Something troubles you.” She said solemnly. “I have not discerned what it is, for I would have you tell me when you are ready. Your mind must be at ease before we begin your lessons.”

I could not respond, for even though I knew that I could trust her, I had not the stomach to put what I had seen into words. Although Eleri was my sister, I was scared of her. So I continued to stare out the window in silence until I was ready to tell Anneth what was on my mind.


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It should have been a simple thing to tell Anneth what I had seen and of what visions danced through my dreams. Yet, I sat there mindlessly picking at the fruit and grains that were on my breakfast tray. I knew I was avoiding the inevitable, so I took one last bite of my apple and turned to face Anneth.

“In the course of one night I have seen things that haunt my nightmares, and I have dreamt of things that speak of fables.” I said. “I wish to learn what you will teach me, so I will tell you what troubles me Anneth. However, it will be no easy task to set my mind at ease.”

“Very Well.” She said simply. She declined the seat I offered her, and waited for me to speak.

I took a few minutes to gather my thoughts before I spoke. I began with watching Eleri sneak out of her room. I told Anneth of how I followed her, and described the glade along with everything I had witnessed in great detail. I then told her of how I had spied upon Eleri and Father. Narrowed eyes and a slight wrinkle in her brow betrayed Anneth’s otherwise impassive expression when I described what transpired between them. By the time I had finished recounting my dream, the sun was well on her way to the middle halls of the heavens.

“And that,” I said with an exaggerated sigh, “ is what is bothering me Anneth.”

Anneth did not immediately respond. I had been studying her intently the entire time I was speaking, but could not determine where her thoughts might lay. There was nothing I could do but wait, and I was eager to know what she thought.

After a few moments she turned away from the window. The sun was pouring so brightly through the window behind her that I had to look away from her when she finally spoke.
“As you know, I cannot interpret dreams with certainty. It is almost impossible to discern whether a dream is a memory, hope, prediction or message. Any of these is a possibility.” She began. “So, let us begin with what is certain.”

RagDoll posted at 10:05 PM

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