***Note: This story is the first, but can be read after "Shadows Behind the Walls and Secrets." It is helpful to read this one first though.***
A story told by Thomas Rushleaf (adoptive father to Morwilwarin) to a trusted neighbor. This happened approximately three months before Thomas' passing:
I remember that night. During the Autumn festival it was. She, this rosy-cheeked little baby, was left on my doorstep in a thick blanket.Her eyes, staring straight into mine, were intelligent and curious. Warm. A beautiful infant, but a strange one at that. No more than three months old at most. Who would leave such a darling thing as this on a chilly night? And why my doorstep? Was she a changeling? Those eyes. You know what I'm talking about. Perhaps the Fair Folk took someone's baby and left her in its place. Whatever the truth is, I suppose I will never find out.
So, I remember looking around and seeing no one in sight. And it was too cold to make a proper search. So, I took her inside with me and I sat by the fire with her in arms. And the tiny thing actually smiled at me reached up and squeezed my thumb before she fell asleep. She was too calm for a baby of her age, that I know.
Then, I loosened her blanket, and out fell a piece of parchment. It was strange, I remember the writing well because I've looked at it so many times since that night. It said " I am the Last of my kind. I am the Last of my line. They are hunting me. Do not follow. I will save my people. I will regain my crown." Of course these words did not solve the mystery surrounding Morwilwarin's origins, even to this day. She still hunts for parents, you know. But I know she loves we quite all right. Maybe she is royalty, see? The clothing she was wearing was very fine. A tiny red dress, perfect for her size, beaded and silken. But who knows. Maybe a wealthy person gave the clothing to her parents as a gift.
Anyway, I looked all over Bree town and the surrounding countryside for her parents, or anyone who knew Morwil. I even put fliers throughout the city. But no one knew anything about the girl. So I kept her...it was my responsibility after all. And I don't resent her parents or whoever it was who left her at my door. It is their loss, see?
And curious things happened as she got older. Contusions on her body would heal when I turned away. Sometimes, with a touch of her hand, my body aches would vanish. I also noticed that she had an affinity towards animals and herbs from when she was very young. Sometimes, she would come home with a bunch of herbs in her hands. All of them were useful in one way or another. She would know what to do with them as though she studied their purposes in a book.
But as she grew older I started to discourage her abilities. I did not think it natural for such a small child of five or six to have these gifts. And I know that there are lore masters and magicians in this town. That I know. But a little girl should not use such dangerous talents without a guiding hand. So I made her swear to stop using them. And she did for a long time. But slowly, accidents began to happen. Little things. Glass breaking sometimes.Then one day, I came home to find three feet of water covering the floor of our home. And thankfully, Morwil was on top of a table, safe. But she told me that she did it...and I knew then that we could not contain her gifts anymore.
And the next morning, she was nowhere to be found. I had the City Watch look all over for her to no avail. I even turned to my ranger friend, you know the scruffy fellow that you don't trust. Don't give me that look, he is a good man. I know what I'm talking about. Anyway, he and some of his fellows looked all over the wilderness, but had no luck finding her. It went on this way for a month. I was going mad with worry and grief. I know you weren't living here at the time, so that's why you don't remember. I only got maybe three hours of sleep a night. And her face would haunt my dreams, a little eight year old girl alone in the world.
But then, one night I woke up suddenly, sensing a presence in my bedroom. And there she was, leaning over me. She slipped her hand in mine and asked " Father, why do you look so shocked? What's wrong?" At first I cried, which only upset her, making her cry as well. Then I got angry, demanding to know where she was. But then she said this; " I do not know what you are talking about, father. I went to sleep and woke up just now. I was just in bed and woke up. I wanted to be near you because of the bad dreams that I had." I knew she was telling the truth. I know my child, and I love her and trust her. I could see it in her eyes. They were wide open, Her mouth set straight. She always looks that that when she tells the plain truth, see?
I had a great deal of trouble explaining her disappearance. And more importantly, I had to create a tale to cover the fact that she did not remember losing a whole month. To her, she was never gone. So I told her what happened, and now she tells people that her birth parents abducted her and returned her one day.
And what is even more strange is that she lost her magical abilities that day she returned. And she does not recall ever using magic. Though, she remembers me. You know what this speaks to me of? Them. You know who.
For all I know, my made up story that I told everyone is the truth. And it It only makes me suspect the Gentle Folk. Perhaps it was them. It is written in her eyes.
