Is This Peace

[Juno. 1276]

Accompanying Song

 

 

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The First Season

She came from the South, walking through the redwoods until she reached the place that she had been several times before; the woods where she had become what she is now, and returned to for comfort from time to time. She carried nothing with her and barely wore anything, just some furs to cover the essentials. She soon arrived at her own burrow, except this time, she found it full. A new family of foxes had moved into the hole beneath one of the trees; a few couples and newborn pups. The Acolyte snickered as the foxes first looked to her in fear and then confusion, but the druid did not explain as she was committed to her task; survive in the wild for a year with no gifts or aids. She moved to the next tree, digging out her own little home with her bare hands while the family of vulpine watched suspiciously from a distance. The Priestess paid no mind, giving them the space they needed as she continued with her task. 

 

The air was warm and smelled of sweet nectar, flowers of every color filling the lush scenery. Animals were frequent, and babies even more so. She continued to watch from afar, spotting a mother fox scolding her little ones for playing too rough. The woman longed for her own children as she watched, though her rough exterior softened and a small smile donned her features as she watched the pups play. The years had not been kind to her recently, but in moments like these, she couldn’t help but forget the hardships and anger that seemed to be all consuming. She couldn't help but wonder to herself

 

Is this peace?

 

The Second Season

It wasn't long until the days grew longer and the sun more ablaze, the pups growing older as they went out to hunt for themselves. Once the season started to change, she headed out to the East for a week, trekking until she found a wheat field. The grain was not quite ripe yet, but it would be there soon, the darkening green turning more golden with each passing day. She sat herself before a tree beside the field, pulling out a sharp rock she had found not too long ago. Carefully she carved an image into the redwood, watching the bark give way to a lighter interior as she spent hours on her design. Her fingers were cramping by the time she was satisfied, looking at the image of an antlered man wielding a spear she had created. The Acolyte kneeled before the design, closing her eyes as she murmured a soft prayer.

 

O’ Father,

Guide Mother’s birth into harvest,

So that Grandmother may guide such into death.

Blessed Be.

 

When she returned back to her home, the druid was pleasantly surprised to see that the family of vulpine had grown more accustomed to her presence, the kits who were now older even allowing her to eat with them. The chirping of crickets filled the hot night air as they all settled down to eat their meal, some of the younger fighting over the last mouse. The adults simply made their way back to their dens, seemingly fed up with their childrens’ antics. The Priestess was full so she split up what she had left amongst them, ceasing their petty squabble. She sat back on her palms as she watched them devour the meal, releasing a soft hum as her shoulders gently relaxed. 

 

Is this peace?

 

The Third Season

The plentiful harvest came and went along with the scorching days, so the elfess headed North as the wind began to chill and the lush greenery turned shades of amber and gold. She continued her walk until she came across an apple orchard that still seemed to have a couple red fruit left on it’s branches. The Acolyte approached one of the trees and picked such a fruit, feeling the mushy texture of one that had been uneaten for too long. And so she sat herself before the tree and pulled her carving tool out once again, creating her image until her fingers burned. She kneeled before the image of the spider she had created, murmuring a prayer similar to the one she had spoken in the wheat field.

 

O’ Grandmother,

Guide Father’s harvest into death,

So that Mother may guide such into birth.

Blessed Be.

 

When she returned to her home once again, she was met with a tragedy. The pups who were now full adults were crying out, seemingly mourning. She gently pushed into her old home then, seeing the laid body of their mother. The fox mother had grown old, and had died while the freckled lady was off on her trip. The foxes allowed the elf to comfort them as she then scooped up the body of their departed and laid her to rest. The druid wished she could speak to them, try and soothe them with gentle words, though her actions would have to be enough. That night, the foxes joined her in her den, curling beside her as the bitter cold only grew stronger. The foxes found strength in her and in each other during these troubled times, a notion that caused another smile from the druid.

 

Is this peace?

 

The Fourth Season

The leaves that danced like fire then turned brown and fell to the ground as it only grew colder and dry; the days growing shorter. As soon as the first snowflake was sighted, she got to her feet once again and headed West, hiking through the bitter cold until she reached a blackspot in the already dreary scene. These trees weren’t just leafless, but they were scorched black, completely dead and crumbling away. It seemed like some sort of forest fire had hit this section, most of the trees barely even standing and only half the height. She bent over and dug through the snow, humming with a smile as she saw the acorn buried below. And so she kneeled before one of the burnt trees, taking out her rock and getting to work. She knelt before her image of a lady wearing a cloak of leaves, murmuring her final prayer. 

 

O’ Mother.

Guide Grandmother’s death into birth,

So that Father may guide such into harvest.

Blessed Be.

 

She decided to spend that night amongst the scorched earth, the foxes growing more and more independent as they matured with age. The way the animals had persevered through loss and how this forest would soon do the same struck a chord within her, resulting in a couple icy tears to run down her smiling face. 

 

Is this peace?

 

The Final Day

The snow began to thaw and give way to those beautiful flowers once again. The once kits had grown and found lovers of their own, giving way to a new litter that would soon continue the cycle the elf had witnessed. Perhaps it was time she continued with the cycle as well. She had let unbalance control her for too long, not allowing herself to flow through life as nature does. 

 

There will always be death and misfortune, always struggle and hardship. This is what gives way to love and success. This is what gives way to peace.

 

A year and a day had passed since she first arrived, and now she began to start on her way back south again. The foxes gathered as she started to leave, seemingly confused on where she was going and why she was leaving. The druid merely looked back to the vulpine and smiled as her form began to change, bones creaking and skin tearing as she became their mirror image. The Fox chirped to her kin before bounding off into the redwoods, She laughed and smiled all the way, overjoyed to soon return to her own family waiting for her at home. 

 

This is peace.

[Valannor 6345]

In some tepid malaise did that errant oem'ii, she of the guiding light, come to smile upon the Fox as she returned home. Smoke rolled from her lips in an uncaring indulgence of vice, as she reached an arm out to welcome that Vuln'miruel home. Forsooth, did Elesul'annilir speak henceforth, a jovial smile upon her weary countenance;

 

"Asul lente karinto, ayilu. I missed you a lot..." 

[exanimated 1360]

Zolvan would smile warmly as his wife returned home, passing her final trials on the path of the Ichorians.. "It has been a hard path.. I am glad you have finally passed through it all and returned." that Amber druid would say in a soft tone.