No Longer Needed

[Tigergiri 3073]

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

Andria had become a figure of steel and ice, but now she stood at the brink, her last frayed nerve snapping under the pressure. Her once bright, ice-blue eyes, now dulled by sleepless nights and endless tears, scanned the shattered remains of the city she had poured her heart and soul into. Her movements were sharp and erratic. She held her breath as she clenched and unclenched her fists, her knuckles white with the effort.

The world she loved was crashing and burning around her, and for years she had fought to keep it together. But now, as the realization of defeat settles in, a losing battle. Her posture sagged, and the weight of it all pressed down on her shoulders. She stood on the balcony, the cool night air brushing against her skin. Her silvery blonde hair, streaked with dirt and ash from the year's events, cascaded around her shoulders, unable to scrub the death and grim from her. She could still smell the gunpowder. Her eyes, once bright and hopeful, were now heavy with sorrow as they turned skyward, seeking solace in the star’s pale glow. In her hand was a delicate blue butterfly hairclip, the intricate design glinting in the moonlight. “Malin, what do I do? “ Was it her grip or a sign, as the clip snapped off from what held it together?

"Time was merely a tool," she murmured to herself, her voice barely more than a whisper. "And I used it incorrectly."

 

A single tear slipped from her eye, tracing a path down her cheek before falling to the ground below. She placed the hairclip gently on the balcony railing. As she turned, she saw him standing there—Goan, the tall white-haired elf who had always been a constant in her turbulent life. No matter the amount of time, the siblings always seem to find each other in their hours of need. His presence was a comforting beacon in the darkness that surrounded her.  "I need your help; I need to start over, Mal’onii."

 

A gentle smile played on his lips. "I was waiting for you to ask, Lari’onn. I've had to do this multiple times already." His reply was soft, maybe a bit snarky, and confident. For a moment, they stood in silence, the night enveloping the siblings. The stars above seemed to shimmer. Like the day she told him she was leaving Haelunor almost a bicentennial ago. Within hours, the decision was made. Under the cover of night, Andria and her family prepared to leave the city they had called home. In a small carriage, with a sleeping child nestled close, they slipped away into the darkness. 

 

A notice was left on their doorstep, a final farewell to the city they had loved and fought for.

 

---

Dear to Whom It May Concern,

 

Is it time that failed us, or did we fail to use it wisely? Our efforts were vast, but the sands of time slipped through our fingers. If you seek Rosalis, know that a letter will always find its way to us. The paths we take may shift, but communication is always only a breath away. 

 

May you find solace and strength in the days ahead.

 

The Rosalis Family 

 

[Seuss 1056]

Goan Aldin worked quickly as his sister contemplated the stars and her destiny. Like many times in the past, he readied a horse, although this time more than one. Likewise, he readied not one carriage but two, and instead of a small boat he prepped a quick sail. His experience shown, but the reason behind it unknown.