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Author’s Note: This idea was rolling around in my head for awhile, but I couldn’t seem to end it quite the way I wanted it to…so I kind of left it as is. Enjoy…it is very random!
In a land where tears carry more than sorrows, there is one tiny catch in the future of the one who is said to save them all. If it were up to that person, perhaps they would’ve altered the requirements, just a bit, to suit their heart to one simple request….
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Irissa stood by the window, her tears once again, streaming down cold cheeks and falling to the frozen ground below. Her fingers fumbled around the window ledge, searching for the flask of colored glass, she usually kept there.
Something warm touched her shoulder and she turned, surprised with the cool glass touched her face. “Misplaced something?” Jhetta’s voice was cooler than the wind as she alternately held the flask to each cheek, capturing every tear. “You really shouldn’t have the window open this time of day. You know what it does to you.”
Irissa sniffled, willing the tears to stop. “I’m sorry.”
“You should be.” Jhetta took her arm and gently guided her to the bed. “Sit. Before you catch your death of cold. Some legendary folk we would be if you fell sick while under our ‘expert’ care.” The windows were quickly closed.
“What more do you need of me?” Irissa set the flask on the nightstand, swiping at her face.
Jhetta sighed. “You know well enough….” Her eyes flickered to the flask and back. “And you know that’s not enough.” She turned the latch, locking the windows.
There was a grunt from the bed and Irissa turned away. “I should’ve known.”
“Well excuse me, but I thought you understood the prophecy.” Jhetta crossed the room to stand in front of her. “You know without your tears his royal highness the wizardness can’t weave his way and lift the darkness.” She frowned. “You know this even more so than I do. Please…”
“I can’t.” Irissa twisted her hands together. “I-I just can’t.”
Jhetta squeezed her eyes shut. “and you believe that your sorrow is so great that it no longer can touch the depths of emotion itself, now can it? You bear the greatest sorrow of never birthing a child. What a pity.”
A hand moved to cover her mouth. Irissa stared at her, eyes brimming with another flood of healing tears. “Don’t do this, please, don’t!”
“Don’t do what? Remind you of the prophecy and what could happen to all of us if you break this vow? How many innocent people will die? How many have-” Jhetta grabbed the flask and held it to Irissa’s cheeks as the tears began to stream freely.
Her head bowed and after awhile, a loud sniffle broke the silence. Irissa looked away as Jhetta collected the last of her tears.
“I’m sorry.” Jhetta murmured, capping the flask.
“I know.” Irissa drew her knees up to her chest and hugged them close. “I know. You only do as you’re told and…and I know what will happen if I don’t it’s just that….I…”
Jhetta tucked the flask beneath her cloak and wrapped a steady arm around her charge’s shoulders. “Shhh! Your sorrows have reached the grand council…which is why I’m here today and not boring, tiresome Elisa.” A shared giggle passed between them as Jhetta pulled something from her pocket.
A round green ball, about the size of a walnut.
“What is it?” Irissa stared as it was placed in her palm.
“Your heart’s desire.” Jhetta smiled. “Take good care of it…you’ll know what to do.”
Irissa stared after her as she swept from the room in a billow of cloak and soft footsteps. Her fingers curled around the green ball as she sat back on the bed against the pillows. A gasp escaped when she felt the ball moving beneath her grasp.
Her hand opened, trembling as the greenery fell away, to reveal a tiny, glowing form. “oh my!” Her breath caught in her throat as the miniature figure uncurled from the nest of leaves and stretched. A yawn escaped and a tiny face stared upwards expectantly.
“You’re a flower child.” Irissa blinked, shaking her head. “You’re real.”
A smile appeared on the angelic face as the tiny head bobbed. “Mmm-hmm…are you my mommy?”
Warmth touched her cheeks as Irissa automatically put one hand to her unruly copper curls. “I…well…yes, I guess I am.”
Something akin to a cat’s purr filled the room as the tiny girl yawned again and settled down, cross-legged in the remaining leaves. “I’m hungry.”
“Hungry. Yes. Of course.” Irissa began to move from the bed when she stopped. “Have you a name?”
“A name?” The child stared at her.
“Yes…a…never mind. I shall name you later.”
“Yes, yes. Very good.” The girl clapped her hands together.
Irissa stifled a laugh. Then without thinking, she closed her eyes, pursed her lips and kissed the tiny head.
A searing pain ripped through her hand and up her arm, followed by a loud thud on the ground. “Owwww!”
She yanked her hand back, massaging her arm. Her jaw dropped as she stared at the child bawling on the floor in front of her. “You grew!” She stammered, then immediately dropped to her knees and gathered her into her arms. “Shhh! Hush….’tis only a little fall. Let me kiss it and it’ll feel better.”
The child offered a skinned elbow and Irissa dutifully kissed the scrape. She found herself staring into soulful dark green eyes.
“Hungry.” The little girl whispered, her voice cautious.
Irissa broke from the trance to move to the table in the corner. She inspected the fruit, her fingers hovering over the shiny options.
“I will name you Liana.” She murmured, handing over a section of peeled fruit.
Liana sniffed the fruit slice, turning it over rapidly in her hands before she nibbled on it. The expression on her face was one of pure delight. When her stomach was satisfied, she settled into her new mother’s lap for a good nap.
Irissa found herself staring at her again. Skin the color of the palest green, a dress of soft fabric, hair so white and lips ruby red. A thrill ran through her as she hugged her tight. She was so perfect. So real. And hers. “A daughter.” The words pushed past her lips as she kissed the soft cheek.
Something cold whispered through the room, rattling the locked window. The light flared then faded. Irissa felt her heart as if it trembled within as the feeling of space seemed to close in around her.
Another gasp escaped as a streak of white light shot down from the ceiling and opened to show a young face. “Irissa of the Kyleran.” The voice thundered. “You, in a position such as you are, have taken a flower child?”
Irissa bowed her head. “Yes, milady.”
“You dare to alter history? The future?” The image grew larger and more terrifying.
“N-nay, milady.” Irissa swallowed. “I only wished for-”
“A child!” The image scowled, darkening. “Then hear me this. For bringing this seedling child to life, you must pay according to the balances to keep the worlds even. In this time of war and strife, selfish thinking…brings only sorrow.”
The imaged faded away and the light flashed again before it disappeared.
Irissa found herself swaying back and forth. “She let me keep you.” She told the sleeping Liana. New tears threatened to spill over and a tiredness overtook her. “I love you.” She whispered, her fingers roamed around the table and closed around the silver cord.
She pulled it, ringing the service bell as the tears spilled over. “I will pay your price.” She forced the words through her teeth. “I have given enough to this cause. And what I ask is something I will never return.”
Copyright 2008 S. Harricharan