Chapter Two

As I stepped into the forest, a sense of calm replaced the anxiety that had been building in my chest. Thinking of the past always triggers that response, and yet, I can't stop dwelling on it. Finally able to breathe, I continue deeper into the brush, my feet quickly finding the path I've worn down over the years. 

This place has always been called the Forsaken Forest due to the large number of fae that call it home. I never truly understood why. The Fae have always been friendly to me—at least, the ones I've interacted with. 

As I meander up the path, I hum a melody that has been lingering in my mind lately. It's a sorrowful tune but one that resonates with what I'm feeling. As my voice rings through the trees, I hear a rustling in the underbrush. Suddenly, I'm surrounded by small human-like creatures. A slight smile crosses my lips. These beings are the only ones who don't condemn me simply for existing. Since I've started coming to the Forsaken forest to forage, they seem to welcome my presence. 

They bundle around, smiling brightly and offering me fresh herbs from their respective plants. The beings that surround me are called nymphs, a type of fae that are essentially the embodied souls of the forest plants. They stand at 2 feet tall and greatly resemble children—if children glowed, that is. A faint light has always shined from their skin. 

One tugs on my cloak and looks at me expectantly. I had stopped humming while lost in thought. I smile down at the nymph I knew as Mint since she always handed me sprigs of the crisp-smelling leaves. They all liked it when I sang, but she did more so. I pat Mint's head and continue with my tune. They all start swaying to the song and follow me through the forest, making me feel a bit like a pied piper. I didn't mind, though. Moments like this were the only thing that brought me peace. 

Coming to a clearing filled with bright wildflowers, I sit and continue to sing for the nymphs. Mint sits down next to me, and the others follow her lead. One nymph I call Pine grabs my foraging basket before I can stop him and runs off with it. I'm not too concerned, though, since they often take it and fill it up for me while I entertain them. 

I look around as I continue to entertain the nymphs. This clearing is one I have yet to go to. How long had I walked for? I glance up at the sky and see the sun beginning to set. Oh. It's been a few hours, at least. I shrug my shoulders to myself. Oh well. It makes no difference whether I'm home or here in the forest. It's not like anyone would come looking for me anyway. 

The thought sends a pang of sorrow through my chest. I don't know why it still hurts. It's been a long time since I was left alone in the world, and I've long since been empty inside. Lately, though, the emptiness has begun to weigh heavily on me. I stop humming with a sigh and lay back on the ground, looking up to the sky. 

Mint looks down at me, worry etched on her cherub-like face. I give her a half-hearted smile. "I'll be okay," I start to tell her. But I stop. Will I really be okay? The void in my heart says otherwise. Tears slip from my eyes, uninvited. Instead of wiping them away as I usually would, I decided to let them flow. This is the only place where I can show my emotions and not be judged, after all, among these inhuman creatures. It's strange how I feel more at ease among them than around my own kind. Then again, my own kind has been nothing but harsh to me.

The tears continue to flow, a flood of emotions washing over me as they run tracks down the sides of my face. I hear Mint and the other nymphs whispering to each other in their language, one I don't understand. Mint looks at me, concerned, before running deeper into the forest.

My mind continues to linger on the yawning emptiness and loneliness that have started consuming my being. Maybe it would be best if I didn't exist if I had never been born. Then again, you can't undo what has been done. 

A dark thought strikes, shocking me. I can't change the fact that I was born, but I can change the fact that I'm alive. I shake my head, trying to banish the darkness lingering in my head. I can't do that. It goes against all of the laws the Fates have dictated. One cannot change their fate.

But... I'm not ruled by fate. The High Cleric said as much on that fateful day. If I'm not ruled by fate, then...

Suddenly, Mint rushes back into the clearing, holding something in her tiny hands. She thrusts it at me, begging me to take it with her eyes. I look down at it. It's a flower and a strange one at that. It's large, with thin, delicate petals that fan out like rays of sunlight. They're white, mostly, with purple stripes across them. Realization dawns on me. This is a rare flower. I remember seeing one in a journal on herbalism. I gently take it from Mint and smell the large bud. It's earthly but light. I rack my brain, trying to recall what this flower was, but the answer eludes me.

Mint reaches up and wipes the tears from my cheeks, pulling me from my thoughts. She still looks greatly concerned, almost as if she can sense the sorrow lingering in my heart and how broken my soul is. Then I suddenly remember. The flower is commonly used to treat illnesses of the soul. Widows often use it in tea to ease the pain of the passing of their fated lovers. I think a cleric once called the affliction depression. Is that what this feeling is? Am I depressed? Regardless of if I am or not, would this flower help with what I've been experiencing for so long? I suppose it couldn't hurt to try. 

I look at Mint. "Can you take me to where you found this?"

She looks apprehensive but nods and starts walking toward the edge of the clearing where she disappeared earlier. I get up and follow her lead. I've got nothing to lose, so I may as well give it a go.