The moon is high in the sky and an empty bottle of red wine sits not an arm's length from me. Amathlan has just left. I wish he could stay till the sun rises, but I know he may not. Maybe I shall try to find some sleep, if there is any to be had.
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There is warmth settling upon my face. I am in my dreams once more, I think. I hear the sounds of birds singing and the rustle of trees as wind dances among the branches. As my eyes slowly crack open, I am pleased to find I was right. I am back in the glade where mother met me not so long before.
It is much the same, peaceful and calm. The grass tickles my hands and feet as I look around once more. The flowers release petals from their bodies and the colored pieces are dancing to and fro.
As I glance to the small pond, to my shock, I find my mother sitting on the grass. “Naneth” I whisper. She is already looking at me. Her fingers are weaving several white moonflowers and red roses together into what seems to be a crown. She still wears the same blue gown and her hair hangs around her like silver strands of moonlight.
“Little Moon, come.” She says with a bright smile and pats the grass in front of her. I rush to her, wrapping my arms around her shoulders tightly and hiding my face in her neck. She laughs brightly but returns the embrace for a moment.
“Now, my child, turn around so I may braid your hair.” Hearing her words make my heart feel full. This tradition is one I miss dearly. After I have turned around and sat in front of her, Naneth begins to comb her long fingers through my hair. Her fingers ease my body and soul. I feel relaxed at her touch.
“Nana, you are here again...why?” I ask and lean into her fingers.
“I think the question is why are YOU here, little moon?” She says cryptically and begins to weave my strands of hair together.
I frown at her words. “What do you mean, Nana? I did not choose to come here….”
If she hears my question, she does not answer it but her voice becomes more serious as she continues on.
“I am happy for you my child. But your own happiness comes at a cost. As you come closer to finding some answers you seek, you drift further from others.”
I frown at her uneasy words. If only my muddled mind could make sense of her messages. I wince slightly as her fingers become slightly harsher upon my head.
“You are losing yourself again, little moon, just as you lost yourself long ago.” Her fingers become soft once more but my shoulders tense at her words.
“Nana, I do not know what you mean.” My voice trembles as I speak.
“Why do your walls build themselves higher?” She ties off my braid with a blue ribbon which had been hanging around her wrist.
I cringe as memories of the past flash before my eyes. “I do it to protect…..” I trail off, too scared to finish the sentence.
“Protect whom?” Naneth asks. As she speaks a harsh wind drifts throughout the glade, though I do not pay it much attention, as Naneth takes the flower crown she had been working on and places it gently atop my head.
“I….I know not.” Is all I can respond with, as my throat tightens up. I close my eyes as the wind becomes harsher, uncomfortable even.
A soft hand gently brushes against my cheek for a moment before it is gone. “I think you do little moon. I love you sweet child. Do NOT lose yourself.” Her voice seems further away and when I finally open my eyes, I begin to panic.
Nana is by the edge of the glade, but that is not what scares me. A great fire is rushing through the trees heading straight towards her, but she just stares at me with a sad smile.
“Nana! Watch out!” I try to move towards her but find I am stuck and my limbs do not respond.
“You must be careful little moon. Do not share my fate.” Nana calls out, but over the fire and wind rushing through my ears, I can barely hear her.
“Nana!” I scream as the flames of the fire finally reach the edge of the glade where she is still standing. Tears drip down my face as sparks catch on her dress and hair. It seems not to bother her, but I can feel the heat from the fire all the way by the pond.
Do not lose yourself little moon. Do not lose HIM!” She finally says. I watch in horror as the flames finally engulf her entirely. I feel my heart stop and a sharp scream reaches my ears. At first I think it is her, but then I realize it is my own voice.
All my energy seems to escape me, and all I can do is fall to my knees in the grass which is quickly catching aflame.
“Nana….” I whisper one more time before the fire reaches me as well. At last I can feel the flames lick against my skin and it burns unlike anything I have ever felt before. My eyes close as silver tears drip down my face. And all turns black….
