Leonaess Dawnbinder

For a Friend

Scrutinizing gaze swept over the parcel, the tips of tapered fingers teasing at the boisterous red bow that sat atop a wrapped present. Was it too much? Lower lip was chewed in worried thought, aureate mane canting this way and that as if trying to find some hidden meaning in the brightly colored paper. Huffing an agitated puff of breath upward, shifting several messy wayward curls, the ribbon was done away with; plucked swift and clean. Instead, was a bit of lace then wrapped about the gift and a sprig of balsam fir nestled securely in place. Pleased now, a smile curled the usually joyously tilted lips of Leonaess Dawnbinder.

Attention drew away from the treasure on the table to cast an eye over the now empty cottage with only remnants of herself hanging in the form of herbal bundles from the rafters. So many memories were still nestled in the corners - from the lives she had saved to the many friends and companions who had found safety beneath her roof. Was that Kydin’s laugh she heard? Or Loaireth’s cool fragrance wafting as she passed by? A brief ghostly trill of Daronys’ beautiful tenor to the whistle of Tyllimas as he came to visit, curled about her ears.

While the property was still in her name, it was a thing to be boarded up as Silverpine no longer felt much like home. Gathering up the gift and a travel pack, the aura soother and ray of sunshine drifted out of the front door, pausing momentarily to look at the still splintered pieces from Theoren’s boot and drifted a bit sorrowfully over the claw marks left behind by a very misunderstood Varynoth. It was these lingering traces of ruination that brought her to fingering over the chipped wood as if able to siphon some disgruntled word from them, able to hear the harsh chuckle. Even as steps brought her down the walkway, each hanging dew-dropped spider’s web brought to mind the ever fluid Lydira as she worked to weave her pupils ever closer. Pausing gait to give one last look towards her fairytale hideaway, chin lifted with a deep breath taking in between delicate nostrils in a flare.

Nothing made her feel more at peace than moving forward towards a future undecided and who was to truly know what lay ahead? Adventures were soon to be had and as the gift was clutched tightly to her chest, a tender smile was invoked at the very idea that she would not be having them alone.