“H-how do you know my name?” Launi stuttered, staring at the woman.
The woman smiled kindly, “I’ll tell you everything in a moment, but first, will you come here so I can give you a hug?”
Launi starred at the woman not quite believing that she was hearing. “You, you want to hug me?” Why?
The woman smiled turned sad. “Never mind, that was a silly thing to request.”
Launi was confused and had no idea what to make of the strange woman. “Are you the witch that lives in this valley?”
“Yes,” the witch said simply. Launi’s stomach rolled over and she suddenly felt odd looking down on the powerful woman.
“Can you help me?” Launi asked dismounting. “A dark curse has- ”
“I know about the dark curse.”
“You do?” Launi was surprised. “How?”
“I’ve been watching you,” the woman said, taking a step closer to Launi and Swift.
Launi’s grip tightened on the horse’s reins, “watching me?”
“I’m sorry, that was not how I wanted to tell you. I realize how this might sound,” the woman looked around anxiously. “This isn’t how I wanted this to go, I’ve dreamed about this day for years,” the witch spoke softly as if to herself.
“Not how you wanted what to go?” Launi was starting to feel unnerved. What is she talking about? Why has she been watching me? What does she want?
The woman ran a hand over her face. She was quiet for quite a while, seemingly going over something in her mind. Launi waited and watched the witch silently. There was something oddly familiar about the woman, but Launi couldn’t place what made her feel that way.
Finally, the woman heaved a big sigh and brought her eyes up to meet Launi’s. “You should know something, but I want you to know that I had no choice. It was in everyone’s best interest and if there had been any other option I would have taken it. I-”
“What is it?” Launi asked starting to feel scared. “What do I need to know? Is it my village? Am I too late?”
“No, nothing like that,” the woman said with a soft smile. “I-” the woman faltered, then staring into Launi’s eyes finally told her.
“I am your mother.”
Launi stared at her, not believing a word the woman had said. “You’re, you’re my…my mother is dead.”
“No, I’m not,” the woman took a few steps forward and Launi took a few back. The witch’s expression was still sad. “This isn’t how I wanted you to find out, but I can’t change that now, so you might as well know.”
Launi had backed up into Swift’s side. The horse stood still and was grazing on the grasses around them, seemingly completely unaffected by the news Launi had just received.
“It was so hard to leave you and Darthax, but as I said, I didn’t have a choice. It was what was best for everyone.”
“How do I know you’re telling the truth?”
The woman smiled another sad smile. “Because I know that the necklace around your neck belonged to your mother. I remember giving it to you when you were born. I meant it to protect you when I was unable to.”
Launi’s hand found the necklace. Rubbing the pendant between her fingers and thumb, Launi starred at the woman claiming to be her mother. Could she really be her? How else could she know about my necklace? She is a witch, she probably had a way to find that out.
“You have magic,” Launi told the woman. “You could have found that out by using it.”
“I know that your mother’s body was found after she didn’t return from hunting. I know that it appeared to be a quick death. I know that your father raised you and told you stories about me so you would never forget me.”
Launi shifted her gaze to the ground, unwilling to show the woman the tears welling in her eyes.
The woman continued talking. “I know that you and Darthax go into the woods to collect herbs and plants for healing. I know that is what you were doing when you came back to find the village under a curse. I am your mother. I promise I am not lying to you.” Glancing up quickly, Launi saw that the woman had tears streaming down her face and had taken a few steps closer.
“But,” Launi struggled to get the words out; her throat was tight with emotion. “My mother died when I was little… Didn’t she?”
“No, I didn’t. I’m so sorry for all the pain this must have caused you. I wish it could have been different. I’m sorry, Launi.”
“What’s your name?”
“Glandria.”
The tears escaped and rolled down Launi’s cheeks. “That’s my mother’s name.”
“I know,” the woman replied simply.
“And you’re her?” Launi didn’t want to believe her, but there was something familiar about the woman. She knew more than any other witch should have been able to.
“Yes,” the woman continued to walk forward until she was directly in front of Launi. She held out her arms, offering an embrace.
Launi hesitated, but eventually stepped into the arms of her mother. They held each other, both crying heavily.
“I’m so sorry,” Glandria kept whispering into Launi’s hair. “I’m so sorry.”
When neither of them had any more tears to shed, mother and daughter separated and looked at each other.
“Can we help my father? Can we take the dark curse of my village?” Launi asked her mother.
“Yes, I believe we can. It may take a while and it will be difficult, but yes, I believe we can.”
Glandria held out her hand for Launi to take, but Launi refused it.
“I’m not ready,” Launi explained.
“I understand,” the witch said. “I’ll take you to my home, we can start preparing the spell there. On the way, I promise to answer all of your questions. I’m sure you have many.”
Launi nodded, “I do.”
“And I will answer everyone to the best of my ability.” The woman began walking along the trial. Launi stayed where she was watching the woman for a few moments before rushing to catch up with her.
My mother is alive, Launi thought, trying to make sense of the past few minutes. And she’s one of the most powerful witches there ever was.
What does that make me?
Wow! But I am not completely taken by surprise. Eagerly waiting to hear more of this journey!
I’m so glad you’re enjoying it!
Ditto. 🙂