Her First Trial

[MamaBearJade 2090]

 

 

The sight of the large mountain caused her mouth to dry. She could hear the stones clicking as Artimec added stone after stone to a pack. She looked up the mountain mentally counting the steps she needed to reach the top. It would be a difficult climb even without stones. Her breath came out in a cloud of puff. She heard him stop and test the weight. Turning she saw him strain slightly with the weight. A sigh escaped her as she moved and set it on a nearby boulder. It was definitely heavy. Too heavy.

Without a word, she added three more large stones to it. She took her charcoal and wrote names on each rock in the pack. Eighteen large stones. Each one at least four pounds. Her names written were of people that weighed heavily on her mind. Saria, Artimec, Lilliana, Narmir, Ravondir, Yelfir. She had one for each of them. Dakir, Alak, Lielle, Gan. She had to make sure she had their names. Rivsu, Cookie, Potro, Faeinn, Sadi. She set each rock back into the pack. Cerridiwen, Cerrunos. Her eyes heavy as she looked at the last rock. Artimec cocking a brow at her strange act.

 

Elawynn. Her own name rested at the top of the pile. She took a breath then looked once more at the mountain. She slowly turned and pulled the pack onto her back, wincing as the weight caused her spine to shift painfully. With a final nod to Artimec, she began her ascension up the mountain. The slope was steep and she could feel the sediment shifting under her toes as she climbed. At one point the mountain gave under her, rocks sliding out from under her. A yelp in her voice caused by her fall.
 

Hissing in pain and annoyance, she continued. She could see Artimec following up at a steady pace, not even out of breath. She looked up again at the mountain determined to prove she was not weak. Another hand reached out and she climbed, using her feet and hands to propel her higher and higher. The sun having finally risen to its peak when she reached the halfway point. Stopping for a moment to regain her breath, she glanced over, seeing nothing but the ever vigilant eyes of Artimec following her move.

 

Annoyed by his ease, she propelled herself forward, keeping a steady pace. Each slip causing a new cut, a new scar. She could handle bloodied hands. She could handle a few scrapes. The peak now in view, she continued her arduous climb. As she reached the top, her face flamed red to see Artimec sitting at the top, sipping something nonchalantly. She took a breath to calm herself before sitting and looking around. The view of the valley stole what little breath she could catch. Shaking herself, she placed out her rocks.

 

“Why did you name them?” his voice cutting through the silence.

 

Elawynn looked at him stunned slightly by his question. “Each rock given was a weight upon me physically. Each name is the same. My family, my friends, even the aspects are weights on my mind. If I can conquer a mountain with them physically, I can conquer anything, even with their presence there. It is a reminder that I need to be strong, physically and mentally. Prepared to carry them along with myself.”

She sets the rock with her name in the center of the group. A smile playing on her lips. She will be worthy. Not just for his seed, but for those that depend on her and care about her.

[Wendigo 786]

Moved to the Archive. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.