In the Aalen…

How many years have I stood quietly in Eleusis, shuddering in my memories and not facing my fears? I lingered in the past, much like you did. Lost, broken, forgetting who and what I am. Blaming others for what I had become, when I should have been looking forward to what I could grow into. I never quite forgave Her. Displacing the blame as if it might heal me, but it does not.

Oh, dearest Celaabi, if we had known each other before, I might have helped you – perhaps we could have helped each other. I remember what they did to me, while I was in Evil’s hands, smelling the red fog, feeling the way my body was [the parchment and ink is discoloured here by drops of dried liquid].

I did not expect to learn of your son and think I could help him. Sitting at his bedside these past few months has allowed me time to think, to be with myself in this quiet room. I am not a mother, but I imagine the loss you felt, the pain you knew he would feel and still accepted the burden of it. The trudge across the mountains, walking down that horrendous highway that destroyed the geography of Her worlda how terrible it must have been.

I am not brave like you, Celaabi, though I am trying to be. I look at your son, and I see the future you must have wanted for him, free of your pain and the past. His road ahead is not easy; the burdens will not ease or be lightened upon his broad shoulders, but I see your village and Eleusis gathering to support him, and I believe that he will prevail, as you would have wanted.

Rest easy wherever you are, Celaabi, Queen Mother of the Aalen. Truly, you were the best of them, and now, they have quite the legacy to live up to.

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Summary: Alianna, the Malefic Dryad of Eleusis overcame her own past with Mhaldor to brew a potion to heal the slumbering King Tu’eras and her efforts were aided by Blackwillow, Yavita, Dierdre, Miriew, Thato and Aelyn, plus a mandrake-digging black dog. She spent over a month at the King’s beside, urging him to wake and return to guide his people and to honour the dying wish of his beloved mother.

Penned by My hand on the 4th of Ero, in the year 993 AF.