Kaleesha and the Elf
Reborn
She woke with her face buried in the dust of the cave floor, raising her head she looked about her coughing up the dust, why, why was that wizard there, who are they who seek to thwart my efforts.
Slowly pushing upwards as her head spun she rested on her knees breathing deeply before rising to her feet, the anger seething inside almost causing her blood to boil, but this time instead of the usual eruption she found herself suddenly deflated and sank back to the dusty cavern floor sobbing.
It was some time later when she again opened her eyes and found that she was lying on her bed of straw and furs.
Her eyes darting about the cave without moving her head, she spotted at her side a large basin and a small bowl, both filled with water, picking up the smaller bowl she sniffed at it and then took a small drink, did I put this here she wandered as she squinted at the sun shining through the mouth of the cave bathing her in its warmth, pulling the basin closer, no longer light headed she rose to a sitting position, why would I fetch a basin of water, I have not bathed since, since... That day.
She bent over the basin and scooping the cool clear water in both hands she splashed her face.
Oh that feels good, so, so good. She whispered and then seeing her reflection in the rippling water she jumped back running her hands over her face.
No! This cannot be, then looking down once more she held her hair back from her face to look at her reflection, bathed in the sunlight she could clearly see. Is this some sort of trick, do they mock me?
Her face was without blemish, no scars from that terrible day when the young lord rengars had beaten her to a pulp, after which he then slashed and slashed at her leaving her hideously scarred.
She ran her fingers once more across her face whilst looking in to the water and could neither feel nor see any scars, it was as though it had never happened.
She stood and nervously stripped, and examining her body she was both amazed and delighted to find that she was somehow completely mended. Why, oh why do you reward me, did I not fail, have I not been found wanting?
Back and forth back and forth she strode, disturbing the dust so that small particles glistened like crystals in the sun’s rays, crying at not being able to make sense of it all and constantly checking to see if the scars had returned, suddenly she was aware of a silhouette standing in the entrance of the cave.
'Who is this that dares to spy on me, have you come to play more tricks on me'? She held a hand above her eyes shading them from the sun, straining.
''Tis no tricks that are being played kaleesha and certainly no spying is being done this morn, here! I have brought you garments''. As he entered the cave his features became clearer and she saw that the figure was not what she had first thought, a man, but an elf.
'Wh... Why ha... have you done this'. She stammered.
''All that has been done is to put you on that''. He pointed to the mess she used as a bed. ''And brought you water to bathe and drink''. He pulled a face as he looked at her naked body.
'Do not mind my nakedness she spat... having found her tongue... for it does not discomfort me'... stomping of to the cave entrance and in to the warmth of the sunlight.
The elf picked up her robe and followed her. ''Here put this on''.... he held it out to her.
She looked at him wildly and frowned. 'Huh you bring me garments but would prefer me to wear this, how very strange'.
''The garments are clean''!
'The garments are clean! Is that not why I should wear them'?
He threw the robe at her feet. ''The garments are clean and you are dirty''.
'Do I disgust you little elf'.
''Is that what you desire’’?
'I care nothing for fresh garments... she huffed... nor your desire, and, and all that is nice, ha-ha or is it my body, is it my female form naked and warm that sets you ill at ease, hmm'.
''No tis not, though beautiful you are but not of my kind it is none of these''. He looked in to the distance and said. ''You smell''!
Lifting her arms she sniffed and then sat on a rock looking at him.
The elf sighed. ''You won't smell anything, you've stunk like that for far too long to tell any different''. And then sat next to her.
'Don't I scare you'?
''No, do I scare you''?
'But everyone is scared of me'.
''Not everyone, those down there''. He pointed to the village. ''But they don't know that you’re good''.
Her heart jumped when she heard this and felt a lump in her throat. 'Why do you say that’?
Putting an arm around her shoulder he said. ''Because the fay say so and I can feel it''.
Resting her head against his chest he stroked her matted hair. ''You have been lost for a long time now kaleesha, but now you are back, there once was a time when you could have fallen in to the darkness, so much hate so much anger and who could blame you as your heart all but turned black, but you have come through and now want what is right, we are here and many more are on their way, you have shone a light in to the darkness, you are strong kaleesha and you are true, it is time for you to shine''.
I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day.
Frank Sinatra
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