A Pearl

[Junoix 2301]

 

A small laugh left her, before she fell to silence once more. She dared not blink, not wanting to miss a second of her most favorite sight within the realm. With her head against Feanor’s, and Tahariae’s light flooding her senses.. the darkness upon her peripheral began to close in.

 

“... I love you, Feanor.”

 

“And I you, Delimira.”

 

With these words, Delmira Sylvaeri’s sight ended, and though darkness was all she saw..

 

Light consumed her.

 

 

Vallei Sylvaeri awoke to darkness, her eyelids blinking rapidly in an attempt to clear her vision. It was to no avail, for the Princess had woken up completely blind. She was expecting it, she should have been prepared; her vision had been failing her for months. Still, the Sea Elf had held out hope; faith.

 

She reached to her side, her fingers sinking into ashen fur. It had been long since her hand had met a muscular back. The slumbering direwolf was roused, yawning as it hoped down from the miniscule bed. The shack was much too small for the creature, but Vallei could no longer stand to be without her trusted companion. The beast, named Vangwё, turned back to gaze at her impaired mother, her voice a low rumble full of softness and compassion.

 

Come Mother, I shall guide you.

 

---

 

The loss of vision was a slow process, so Vallei was able to adjust quite well. She and Vangwё went about their day as normal, the Sylvaeri seeing to her usual activities while the direwolf guided her. The large, old creature had always been dutiful; even more so now as the Princess’ condition worsened.

 

 

 

A root, Mother.

 

Someone approaches.

 

The duo adjusted well, until Vallei’s vision worsened so much that could no longer swim or sail. Vangwё would lead the Sea Elf to the tide pools, where the Sylvaeri would wade for hours with her head towards the blowing breeze. It was not enough for her, they both knew; it was not freely diving amongst Thalassa’s waves.

 

“Thalassa, hear me … Help me.”

 

Everyday, the Princess prayed; everyday, she was ignored.

 

---

 

At the end of the day, the moon long overhead, Vallei and Vangwё returned to their shabby abode. The former had just passed the doorway when something brushed her bare feet. The Sylvaeri bent over to pick it up, her fingers curling around the soft material in her hand.

 

A feather.

 

Images instinctively flooded her mind; a crumbling throne, children blown away by the wind, waves crashing against the shore -

 

A husband, back turned, departing in a flock of ravens.

 

She couldn’t take it anymore, not without her swimming; Vallei entered a rage. With a scream of pure wroth, the Princess began to rip and tear all within her path. 

 

“DAMN YOU.”

 

Paintings were shredded from the walls, jewelry mangled into several crushed pieces.

 

“DAMN YOU.”

 

Warm blood dripped down the Sylvaeri’s hands from her ruined nail beds, the pain a solace in her state. 

 

“DAMN YOU.”

 

The Sea Elf collapsed in the center of the rubble, ichor smeared over her face as she attempted to wipe her tears. There she laid for hours upon hours, unable to stop the crying; unable to stop the screaming. Eventually, her voice and body gave up, falling into silence within her hurricane of destruction. Gingerly, paws traversed the scene, a nose gently prodding Vallei’s side.

 

Come, Mother. Let’s rest …

 

 

Come to me…

 

Vallei tossed and turned in her sleep, struggling for comfort amidst the ruined interior and her own bloody wounds.

 

Come to me…

 

A voice unidentifiable sang to her, and no matter how hard she tried, the Sylvaeri could not ignore it. She rose to a stand, and as if puppeted, her feet carried her out. Vallei did not need Vangwё  to guide her, her soul already knew the path. Warm waves washed over the Princess’ feet, and even still, that sweet sound lured her in. 

 

All have left you. Your family, your friends, your children, your husband. Even your royal eyes have failed you, and you are left with nothing but a loyal beast.

 

Vallei’s feet carried her forward, the lashing waves crashing against her midsection.

 

But I have not left you, nor have you left I. Still you sing my praises, even while robbed of your ability to traverse my waves.

 

The Sylvaeri paused in her forward trek, salt and sea spraying her face.

 

But you could still be with me, my sweet thing. My beautiful Princess of the Sea. Come, won’t you be with me, lonely pearl?

 

Vallei’s head ducked beneath the water’s surface, her weakened body carried out by the lashing waves.

 

Be with me, forgotten daughter.

 

There was nothing but darkness and the chill of the sea, it sank through her clothes into her very bones.

 

Be with me, abandoned wife.

 

Water forced its way into the Princess’ nose and mouth, flooding her lungs and robbing any ability to breath.

 

Be with me, tarnished Heir. Be mine, and I shall see that you rise.

 

---

 

By morning the storm had cleared, and Vangwё startled to wake without Vallei beside her. How the Sea Elf got past her, the direwolf could not comprehend. With a panic, the creature broke through the front door, only to see a figure amongst the sands. Covered in debris and kelp, the Princess slept upon the shore, and the beast went bounding over.

 

Mother, wake up!

 

The Sylvaeri still lived, the direwolf could hear her heartbeat. Vangwё began to nudge Vallei’s head, a piece of seaweed strung over her shut gaze.

 

Mother, please … Open your eyes.

 

Vallei began to cough and sputter, wincing as salt stung her throat. Soon, however, she’d fall silent, as she opened her clenched hands and witnessed a pearl within her grasp.

 

---

Spoiler

First part of the post is taken from @HazelWazel's post  here! Thank you to @thequeennadine for kickstarting this rp!

 

 

 

[thequeennadine 436]

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[!] Moments replay in Ainmhi's mind amidst a cool night's quiet rumination. [!]

 

     "But," the oracle began, looking on in regret toward a frightened girl. "It seems I have rattled you. Woe, ah..." Glancing aside, she tittered in worry. "What if, mm..."

 

     "I can remove a bit of that uncertainty?"

 

     The girl blinked then for the first time in minutes, her eyes wet with tears. "How... would you manage that?"

 

     "Well. Would you like to... take a little- look ahead?"

 

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     The waters just beyond Cauróst's exterior wall seem to shimmer, to her pale eyes. Dappled with moonlight, their depths seem impossibly deep. Vallei had been too easy to lead, too eager for reassurance, for guidance.

 

     Something starved bore its fangs, the moment that girl took her hand and accepted the offer of premonition. It was a malicious instinct she had not ceded control to in many decades. 

 

     Vallei had been so difficult to wake, after. There had been so much water in her lungs. She hadn't seemed any worse for wear, though.

Perhaps things would be alright after all. The slip up needn't cost her friend a sound mind, nor her a good night's rest. Right?

 

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