Vivenne’s Vow

[NinjaQueen 74]

Vivenne’s Vow~

 

Vivenne stood in the middle of the vast library in Cerulia trying to figure out how to proceed, looking about the many books that stacked high in shelves, she was at an utter loss. What had Reverie meant?

she recalled their meeting the week before her frown set as she remembered his exact words—

 

“To put it simply.” — “Bring me the corpse of what you fear most.” 

And then he walked away giving her no other explanation, she was not new to the idea of hunting for it had saved her and her sister when they were young, but the problem was so much more difficult.

she feared a great many things. None which she could destroy with her bare hands not to mention a weapon, she was not all that good at killing anything, at least not if it wasn’t for good reason. She’d get lucky, but luck was another thing she lacked. 
the more her thoughts swam around in her head the more she doubted herself. 
 

She turned to leave the library when she caught sight of a familiar figure in the grand forge. . . Elijah, a friend from long ago. Perhaps he could help solve her riddle! She thought with a wave of hope.

 

Elijah stood near a small table fiddling with a scrap of parchment. Out of curiosity Vivenne could not help but ask—

“what are you doing?” 

 

Her voice seemed to take him by surprise he turned to her swiftly his glasses gleamed giving Vivenne thoughts of nostalgia, she’d once thought those to be the oddest thing she’s ever seen.

 

“Ah, Vivenne, good to see you.” —

“I am only writing a note nothing more. How have you been?” 
 

“I am alive. . . Is that not enough?” She would jest

 

”I suppose sometimes yes, but not always.” He would smile slightly 

 

“was there something you needed?” He tucks the note into his pocket giving me his full attention 

 

“yes, you see. . . I was hoping you can help me solve a riddle of sorts.” 
 

he raised an eyebrow, daring me to go on.

 

”my teacher has given me a task, I am to bring him the corpse of what I fear most.” 
 

he seems to think over my words before saying—

 

“I see. . . Then tell me, What do you fear?”

 

his question was so direct I was a bit surprised, though I managed a quick sigh, thinking of all the things that scared me most.

 

”well. . . I am scared of the sea, for it is the beast that took my mother from me. I fear the dark, for it brings upon me the feeling of loneliness, and then. . .” 

I try not to blush in embarrassment my hands instinctively going to the simple silver band that rested on my thumb.

 

”I’m scared of bats.” 
 

Elijah blinks

 

”why?” 
 

“nightmares.”
 

Vivenne clears her throat trying not to shudder at the thought, Bats reminded her of vampires.

though she was indeed friends with one she had never seen his true form and deeply hoped she would never have to.

 

Elijah merely nods 

 

“All of your fears seem to have something in common. My question now is this, why do you fear loneliness?”

 

”because being alone means I have time to think. And thinking is dangerous.”

I say more quietly looking down to the stone floor

 

“You are nearly there, tell me why is it bad to think?” He urges me to answer him, and I do

 

”because,  thinking leads you to question yourself, to doubt, to ask what if. And letting those thoughts sink in will lead you to ruin.” 

my voice is grim, but I can’t help it, my

thoughts wander to a time that I was so lost in my doubts that I lost my sanity and with it, everything I once cared about. . . 

 

“So what you fear most is doubting the path you are on right now is indeed the right one, that there are yet still greater choices you could have made and perhaps those paths would have lead to something better than you have now?”

I flinch but nod slowly, he was right. . . And  Im not so sure that I enjoy that recognition.

 

“Take a letter, write a vow to yourself, to never doubt the choices you make, to look forward and trust yourself and your choices. Let the past inform your decisions in the present, but do not let them anchor you and make you unable to move.” He smiled gently 

 

—“Then take that paper and perhaps rip it up or burn it or whatever you wish to do. . . That feels. . . Satisfactory does it not?” 
 

I am a bit stunned by the idea, it might just work.

 

Elijah continues 

 

“It’s no corpse but. . . Maybe your teacher will be happy with that?” 
 

he shrugged 

 

“if not, it’s a good writing exercise.”

 

I’m trying to decide if I should laugh at that or just roll my eyes, I do neither 

 

My lips twitch with the ghost of a smile

 

”I will do what you ask, and if Reverie does not find it to his liking. . . I could always go hunting.” 
She seemed to find that plan immensely distasteful 

 

“You can always choose another method. I know this has been a bit of an emotionally draining conversation so I won’t prod anymore. But. . . It is good for you to be able to put to words your fears. That means they become tangible.” — “that means they can be killed.” 
 

I dip my head to him

”Thank you, for your wise words.” 
 

“Of course.” He waves, and I wave in turn, leaving him in the forge. 
 

I play over our conversation in my head, it seems the trick was to take it one step at a time. . . If so, she’d have to start by finding paper, that seemed easy enough. . . Hopefully.

 

•                                    •                                •
 

The vow—

 

I Vivenne Greye, daughter of Fa’el and Eldran, adopted daughter to Ser Adrian Greye, sister to Ellira Greye, Vow to never doubt myself or my choices nor will I regret my past or fear my future. For as long as I live, until the earth claims my breath and my blood, forever more.

This note is to be cast into the sea where it will drown but this oath will be ever lasting.

 

 

 

Edited January 4 by NinjaQueen

[Chuuwys 502]

(lovely writing <3)

[PrinceTheDM 275]

I'm glad Elijah was able to help you! He'd be so proud!