She finished the letter, the words spilling out freely, the catharsis of placing them on paper lightening the burden she felt. Should anyone care. The words filled pages… It could fill books.
Dawn was just giving rise to the promise of a new day, normally her favorite time of the day, but on this one all she felt was sadness. The stream tricked under the bridge and splashed around her ankles as she realized that she was looking at the tavern, the one Deorla wanted to give her. Its white walls stained red as the sun burst over the horizon, and she had to blink a second to unsee it. Tainted, like everything else Deorla had touched. She could not get out of there fast enough. How many had died?
Turning, she walked quickly down to the new house and in the door, waving to Heligin who bent seeding land. She put the letter on what she surmised was Deorla’s old desk, to let the others find it. She set the letter neatly next to another, her eyes widening recognizing Alairifs’ bold script.
To the Kinship~~Company of the East Road
By now you have read Deorla’s letter and the other missives that have been delivering those final blows. The one none of us wanted to see. The one some of us suspected but could not believe we had heard.
First, let me tell you I am happy to have met you. Your spirit and hearts welcomed me back when I really needed friends, and you all rose to the occasion. I felt safe and cared about and, in some attempt, to thank you I wrote a song for you all, to tell the tales of our kin, our accomplishments and victories. That song, I cannot bear to sing and has been cast from my memory. Those highs were stained by Deorla’s admissions. Ones, when asked she denied or replied, “Yeah so?” Others were involved, as unwittingly as Alairif and I were, pulled into the spiral we knew it would have been hard to escape… It matters less now as she has, in her own words, admitted what and who she is.
I still wonder why, why would she use us to set up this final goodbye, the simplest reason is who else but two of her opposites. We are everything she disdains, the essence of Evil always looks for the brightest light to punish for refusing to let It hide in the Shadows.
I will not recap the ugly truths we have learned since. Suffice it to say she inflicts her Evil upon the kin in these acts. The list is long. As would anyone like myself, who wishes to live in the light and righteousness of good, I cannot stay now. I cannot linger within the halls of a house brought by an agent of Sauron.
Soon my house will be free for those wanting to be near the kinhouse house bought with people’s lives, and some of you will continue to live within the kin because of the things you have grown accustomed to. That makes me sad for I think I will lose your friendship… I already have.
For those of you reeling at her last words. Know this… You were my kin. I cared about you. I do care about you. There are other places for you. Do not be paralyzed to act for Good, treat each other well. Help others, inspire them. Instead of focusing on the coins you make, give them to those in need.
Deorla was angry but she could not see that emotions are not my armor; my words and music are. Sometimes they cut like a knife. I was an unwilling agent for Deorla, unable to find a way to excuse myself from her task, she would not let me. I set out to do as she asked, knowing what she is. Unlike her, I am ashamed to feel her betrayal of you, even while you may not. Having someone betray you hurts. Having someone say you never mattered, matters… It is a sad truth. Deorla was trapped and lashing out… We would have given anything to help her. We tried.
Will I go after her? No. Let her fade from life here. I will instead focus on seeking others wanting to help, those like Alairif and myself. It is clear we do not belong here with you.
Some of you will also received letters, because of what you mean to me.
Always,
Guriwen Luthier
It lay there, her last thoughts, her hopes that they would find a way to go on, and she thought of how hurt they must be. With a heart lightened at the act, she turned and left fully prepared to see Heligin but he was gone. It was for the best.
