Time of Healing

[Terra Artemos]

Terra only mumbles Ta'las's name in her sleep, and shifts slightly in his arms as she is lifted from her resing place, her content dreams still filling her sleep. For the most part her dreams are dominated by thoughts of Ta'las and her dreams for them both, some racy driven by the brash youthful mind, others wholesome condured by the grown Terra that is yet to reemerge. Reguardless of the souce, they were happy dreams, any disruption to them seems short lived. Terra again shifts in her sleep when she is lay back down, finding a comfortable position on her side facing away from Ta'las while remaining asleep. She sleeps peacefully while Ta'las watches over her.

Within her mind Terra is asleep as well believing the young teen sleeps a distance nearby, but this is not true. Her dreams have captured the essence of the teen, and so has she become a part of the Terra her friends knew, she is whole though fragile. As Terra sleeps and the teen fades from her mind scape, the bond that had held the teen to the real world and Terra to her mind now slowly reconnect to Terra, yet they are equally weak, fragile, easily broken, Terra can still be easily lost.

[Talas Anthavin]

It is well past Shadowleave now, and though it is difficult to see the sun through the branches of the trees around him, the sky is now beginning to lighten.  Ta'las has watched Injera climb the horizon before, but today is one he will remember.  The Shendar looks down at Terra and gently brushes a stray lock of hair from her face.  He wonders what will happen when her healing is finished and whether she remember any of this.

The Shendar's attention is drawn away from Terra by a soft rustling of leaves on a nearby tree, and a pair of brownies come into view.  Their little faces are anxious and drawn, and one of them - the one who looks like a Redbark - is chattering away incoherently.  The other brownie - it is too dark for Ta'las to guess his colour - comes close and speaks in Tharian.

"Quickfoot, I.  For lady look us.  Wake now."

Ta'las is about to agree, but he looks down at Terra uncertainly.  "I'm sorry, but I don't know if we should wake Lady Terra."  He nods at her and adds, "see, she is sleeping peacefully."

The little brownie's face grows more upset.  "No, bring-"  But he is interrupted by the redbark brownie.  The brownies have a short conversation, before Quickfoot finally turns his attention back to Ta'las.  "With us then.  Carry, you."  This he states more resolutely.

The Shendar nods, and absently strokes Lady Terra's soft hair.  "That I can do," he says with a smile.  Gently, he lifts up Terra, and follows the brownies back to the clearing where Terra and Talia are continuing their healing.

[Ta'lia of the Seven Jewels]

Talia is fast asleep when little hands are shaking her shoulder. It takes time, for she manages to include these shakings in her dream, but finally she awakes. It is still very dark, Greyshades must have just started. Aikirana sits in front of her and though Talia can‘t see much, she hear the little voice which is quite upset.

“Wake up, we  go to earth place, but friend not here. Where is friend? Is late, too late, you come.“

Talia sits quickly upright and looks around. The place next to her where Terra should sleep is empty. Fear climbs up her spine and disquiet fills her heart. Why is Terra not here, has something happened to her? Is her fragile mind broken again? Why is she gone and where to? The last days were so promising, something moved in her mind, and to the better, at least Talia had hoped so.

She puts her face in her hands for a moment, then looks at Aikirana. “Do you know more, where is Primerose? What happens if the healing process is interrupted?“

Primrose enters the place the moment Talia has asked.

“Lady Terra has left the healing area when she should have stayed. She was seen at the hut where your comrades are sleeping and left with one of the other humans. I heard of it only now. We have to postpone the earth part. But I want you to come and look for her, my brethren have found the two. Please carry me.

Talia gets up and slips hastily in her trousers and her tunic. Cautiously she takes Primrose and puts her on her shoulder where she sits majestically like a queen. Talia nearly doesn‘t dare to ask, but finally the question which burns on her heart comes out.

“Will it have any negative effect on our healing, Primrose? If we have to postpone it?“

“I don‘t know, it will be harder, for now we have to start at night, followed by a day and another night. And nights are harder to cope with.“

Primrose directs Talia to where they should find Terra and Ta‘las. But they need not to go far. Ta‘las enters with Terra on his arms the clearing.

Talia quickly sets Primrose to the ground again and hurries towards Ta‘las, fear for Terra in her heart.

“Ta‘las, what happened!“ she shouts at him. But then, standing directly before him,  she looks at Terra who seems to sleep peacefully. Carefully she removes a strand from her face and asks again, but this time with a very low voice.

“Ta‘las, what happened to her?“

[Talas Anthavin]

The Shendar finds it difficult to look into those flashing eyes, but he holds her gaze with his own.  "Shendar-sister, Lady Terra is well thanks to the healing she has gone through thus far.  We met earlier this night at the cabin, and walked some distance away so we could not be found."  He blushes a little, at the accusatory glares he receives, but he does not allow his gaze to drop.  "She spoke of how her healing had progressed, and that she was having some difficulty as she was being forced to remember parts of her past that she had hidden away.  I have not dishonoured her in any way, Shendar-sister, and I would never do anything to harm her."

Finally the Shendar looks off in the distance and takes a deep breath in preparation for his admission.  "I did not want her to leave, so we spent time together, just holding one another, until she finally fell asleep.  I started to carry her back, but not knowing where the healing was to occur, I brought her to a small clearing and let her sleep.  Until these brownies found us and led us here," he adds with a nod to Quickfoot and his companion.

[Terra Artemos]

Terra sleeps comfortably in Ta'las's arms, at some point in her sleep one of her own making its way around his neck. Exhaustion holds her to her sleep even as she is carried back to the healing place, her dreams peaceful and subdued dreams of a cozy house, perhaps in a city, perhaps a small hamlet maybe even a isolated cabin, with an adoring husband, kids and no fighting, her Moon Blade hung with honor on the wall at the ready yet unused. Her exhausted and blissful dream making what is happening around her slow to penetrate the fog of sleep, she begins to hear inaudible voices, at first discounted they now rouse her from her sleep. Terra stirs expecting to see the stone of caves when her slowly slide open, instead she begins to perceive the greens of forest and people over her, one of whom seems to be carrying her. Before her mind can work out an explanation Terra begins to panic, her chest begins to heave but take little breath with it, she looks around wildly trying to gain her bearings and her arm tightens around Ta'las's neck by reflex. In her panic her mind fails, looking around so wildly her eyes don't register who it is around her, nor allow her to gain her baerings, finally she is subdued by lack of breath and nearly faints.

"Where am I?", she pants looking up at Ta'las finally having caught a crucial breath and a bit of her compasure, her chest still heaving but taking more normal breaths, "What happened in the cave?".

[Talas Anthavin]

"The cave?" Ta'las looks quizzically at Terra, and then up at Talia.

Talia puts a hand on Ta'las shoulder.  She sees that he has mistaken her concern for anger, and does her best to calm him.  "Do not worry over that, Shendar-brother.  Come, you're arns are shaking - bring Terra over here where she can rest," she adds, softly.

He does as Talia says, carrying Terra over to the sleeping roll and blanket, and gently sets her down.  However, he does not leave right away, despite the glances Primrose is aiming his way, but kneels on one knee next to Terra.  A range of emotions from relief and joy that Terra now seems much more herself, to regret and fear that Terra seems to have no recollection of their time in the Vale, wash through the Shendar.  Despite that fear, he smiles widely, for it appears that Terra's healing has not been compromised.

He speaks calmly, not wanting to overwhelm her with everything that has happened.  "Lady Terra, much has happened since we left the cave, but I will tell you now that we drove Garrek and his minions away.  You fought well, Lady Terra."  He adds with fierce pride.  "After that, we were brought here to the Vale by the brownies to begin your and Talia's healing.  Primrose here," he says, nodding to the brownie sitting on Talia's shoulder, "has been helping both of you heal."

[Terra Artemos]

Terra looks to Ta'las in shock unable to understand how that was possible. "Ta'las, I could not have fought, I was trapped in my minds eye.", Terra takes a deep breath trying to stay calm then continues. "Last I remember, I had just crossed the rock bridge. I was so scared I felt... my mind slipping. I tried to meditate, to center myself but something happened, I was disturbed at a crucial juncture.", she takes a deep breath then continues "I felt like I fell. When I managed to pull myself from the river in my mind I was too tired to move." Terra pauses for a long moment before finally speaking again her voice still sounding tired from lack of sleep, "I me tmyself, first as a small child, then as a young woman.".

[Talas Anthavin]

"Yet somehow you did fight, Lady Terra."  He shakes his head slightly, but continues to gaze into her eyes.  "I do not know nor understand, but you were with us the entire time.  In the caves, and indeed before your healing began, you spoke and acted as a young girl.  And then, last night, you seemed a young lady - as if you were in your teens."

"I have spoken with Capher about this.  It might be that interrupting your meditation at the rock bridge was needed.  I think only by reaching back to your past, and reliving those memories from both your childhood and then your teenage years, were you able to reach the point you have today."

Ta'las sighs, realising that Terra has no recollection of her time in the Vale.  He looks to both Talia and Primrose, whose eyes are filled with uncertainty and concern, and then back at Terra.  "Lady Terra, I believe you have not yet finished your healing, and though I would prefer to remain with you here, the brownies must be allowed to continue uninterrupted."

"You have faced the memories of your past, and I think you have succeeded in finding peace with those memories.  Now," he adds quietly, "it is time for you to reconcile your past with your present."  He realises he has been rubbing her hand.  He looks down at their hands and smiles, though he starts to blush.

"You are tired, and you must finish your healing, Lady Terra."

[Terra Artemos]

Terra smiles with tired longing as Ta'las takes her hand in hi rubbing it gently, as he blushes she shares his blush. She is still uncertain how all that has been described to her is possible, but with Ta'las there, touching her hand it no long seems to matter. Her hear both flutters at his presence and sinks knowing the truth of his words, he will have to leave her soon so that her frail mind could be made strong again, but before he had to leave her there was one more thing she wanted. She places her other hand on his shoulder and uses it to raise herself up and land a kiss on his cheek. Settling back where she lay, Terra speaks softy to him, "I am sorry if that was inappropriate of me. Tell my father... Capher I am sorry if I worry him and I will be well soon. Do you think we could spend some time together after all of this?". Terra lays patiently waiting for an answer, visibly fighting away sleek to be awake for his answer.

[Talas Anthavin]

Ta'las blinks as he attempts to sift through what Terra has said, but his mind is otherwise occupied after her kiss.  "Yes!  Blessed Seyella, we will spend more time together once this is settled."  The Shendar feels new strength rush through him, and he embraces her.  Realising he has lost his composure, Ta'las releases Terra and lays her back down on the blanket, which he pulls around her shoulders.  He gazes at her a last few moments and returns her kiss.  "Please sleep now, Lady Terra," he says quietly and rises, seeing that she is fighting exhaustion.

He looks down when he feels a tug on his boot.  "You leave," Primrose says imperiously and crosses her diminutive arms.  "Must heal now at night.  You come when we send - until then stay at hut."

He nods at the brownie.  "Yes, I shall.  And thank you for everything you have done for my friends." 

Ta'las turns to Talia and adds, "please take care of yourself.  I am sorry for worrying you last night, Shendar-sister."  Then he places his hands on each of her shoulders.  "Daughter of the Desert, it is time for you to finish your healing as well.  There is much left we have to do.  I will not be far."  He hugs Talia and then strides away from the clearing, still smiling even once he is back at the human's camp.

[Ta'lia of the Seven Jewels]

Talia sits quietly and watches Ta‘las interaction with Terra. Softly she tugs at Primrose's sleeve to signal to her not to interfere. Primrose might know a lot about healing and the problems minds can bring themselves in, but she knows Terra and Ta‘las better than she does and Talia‘s empathy tells her that the two, especially Terra, need this interaction right now.

When Ta‘las is about to leave and hugs her, she embraces him tightly. What a good friend the goddess has send to her. So kind and loving. She is moved, the whole situation, her own sensitivity and the recent interaction between Terra and Ta‘las is nearly too much and though she smiles at Ta‘las, a tear is rolling down her cheek which she tries to hide by pressing her eyes to his shoulder.

„Thank you for being here, my friend!“ is all she is able to say.

And then Ta‘las is gone, sent away by Primrose, who steps into action immediately. She looks at Terra, then at Talia who suddenly looses her courage to say anything when looking in the Brownies face.

„You two eat now, then rest a little and then we are going to the earth-healing place. It is only a short flight to this place.  I‘ll see you there again.“

And then Primrose is gone as well.

Suddenly Talia‘s knee start to tremble. She had thought that she is now nearly whole and strong again, but that must have been the case for just a short time after she had emerged out of the water. Would it be good to have now someone at her side to hold her as Ta‘las had done a short while before. She sighs and longs for a strong shoulder, though at the same time her Shendar pride scolds herself for feeling this way.
But there is another person who is in the same situation. Terra has found back to her old self, but is as weak and endangered as she is. So Talia crouches down and slips on the bedroll of Terra, embracing her cautiously, not knowing if the new-old Terra will like such a close contact.
 

[Ta'lia of the Seven Jewels]

It doesn?t seem long to Talia till the Brownies come back, offer some more of their healthy food and give the sign to pack their belongings to move on to the place where the earth-healing shall take place. They won?t need their bedrolls though is pointed out to them.

This time they go further up the valley along the smaller creek where their main camp is. After a few hours - Talia guesses that about three hours have passed - they arrive at another clearing. The creek they have followed its path back to its source is here joined by another little rivulet which falls into a little pond which expands to a swamp before it joins the bigger creek. To Talia?s astonishment it?s water is quite hot, even hotter as the water of the river where the water healing has taken place. Bluesky grins and points to  swampy area. Only a few grasses are growing there and the nearly black mud is showing between them. ?Earth-healing begin? he says to Talia who looks at him questioning. Are they meant to sit in that mud, she asks herself. But Primrose is not yet here and their other translator neither, so the questions have to wait. There are still a couple of hours till sunset and Talia doesn?t know what to do meanwhile. Are they allowed to leave the camp, just for a small walk? She is not sure and so sits down with the back on a tree trunk. Eying Terra she wonders if she could ask her about her experiences and what it was that has driven her to leave the camp. But her mind might be too fragile and so Talia just sits and waits. She has not expected that doing nothing is so hard work.

[Terra Artemos]

As Terra follows along with Talia, she has no idea what to expect, she is nervous but keeps this well hidden, she once again wears a masked expression only this one seem softer, less burdened, less enforced, less ridged. Terra catches a few of Talia's glances and offers a brave smile in return, though not remembering the healing that must have happened before, she does remember the promise she made to Talia about being with her through it, she had not at the time thought she was in as dire need as Talia. Terra had began to prepare herself to face her inner demons, began to open herself up on the way to the caves, but it seems something had gone horribly wrong there. She tussle a short while with the question of if whatever went wrong was inevitable or if she herself had done something wrong, reguardless she makes the conscious decision to forgo any meditation at least until the brownes healing was complete. If she had made a mistake with her techniques she did not want to do so again and undo whatever aid she had recieved, there would be no other persona's to fall back on should something go wrong.

It was several hours of walking till they reach where she could only assume the next phase of whatever their healing entailed would occure. Terra could see that Talia had questions about what will happen or what they much do, as does she, but as Talia does not ask her questions Terra follows her lead instead. Settling against a tree opposite Talia watching her for a few moments trying to formulate the questions she has for her elder friend before finally speaking.

"Talia, Ta'las was not supposed to be with us this morning was he?"

She felt she already knew the answer to the question, but she wanted to hear it. Though not remembering what had happened she had the feeling that they had been isolated for a reason, as the healing seems to revolve around their minds and feelings it is possible that their isolation was to prevent any outside interference that may effect their thought and feelings during the process. As she awaits the answer she is sure will come she ponders the repercussions of the events she has awaken to, but soon her thoughts drift to his lingering eyes in the caves and a smile draws upon her lips. She becomes certain her feelings for Ta'las are not a side effect of her exposure to him. They had been there already, she was just not open enough to recognize them, yet still she feels like a child with her first crush, uncertain of the exact nature of her feelings for him but certain that they are there and not false.

[Ta'lia of the Seven Jewels]

Terra has caught Talia red-handed - what should she say? That she should not have left the camp and that the Primrose has been angry? That their healing was delayed for half a day and might be more strenuous or frightening or whatever, now that they started at night? That really would have no advantages. Obviously Terra had needed that meeting with Ta‘las, she had slept well afterwards. Talia is inclined to see always the best in a situation, at least as long as possible, and so she hopes that this delay will prove as helpful for their cause.

So she smiles at  Terra and says:

“No, he was not supposed to be with us. But it was nice having him here, wasn‘t it?“

[Terra Artemos]

Terra both smiles and blushes at the same time at Talias reply, she wants to ask why he was there with them but can't bring her self to ask it directly, instead she asks in a more round way.

"Talia, what can you tell me about my healing so far? I know that I had to face the tragities of my life from a young age. My mothers death, my fathers withdrawl into endless morning, the trouble of my sister. They came to me, as aspects of my past self, the small girl and the teen that Ta'las descrided, but I know nothing of what happened out side of my minds eye. They all seemed to be be attached to Ta'las."

She waits for the answer, not sure what Talia will reveal and yet certain that Talia would not lie to her. She trusts Talia as a dear friend and looks up to the elder womans wisedom.

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