Hoping to Trust

Kneeling by the river, Nicolas looked at his reflection in the water. All he saw was the death wrap. He couldn't even see his own eyes. Though dead to their people, did they have to stay in Plentiful Valley? What was the point of having them here, if they could not be together? Nicolas entered the trees and stood under the one in which Sikkim Root sat.

"Nicolas," she asked, "Quod cupiditas?" (What do you desire?)

"Te, Picea Spinulosa Radix. Es dissilimis alius altera feminae. Non es similis viro. ...Quod cupiditas, Picea Spinulosa Radix?" (You, Sikkim Root. You are different then other females. You are not like the men. What do you desire?)

"Cupidito scire quod arbora cupiditatunt." (I desire to know what the trees want)

"Nihil plus?" (nothing more?)

"Plus? Nescio. Potes audire arbora, Nicolas?" (More? I don't know. Are you able to hear the trees?)

"Arbora sunt taciturnus." (The trees are silent)

"You are now branch and root to Nicolas," she heard the trees say. "You are to be one."

"...Cur arbora?" Sikkim asked. (Why trees?)

"Quod?" Nicolas asked. (What?)

"The bond begins now."

"Arbora, non amo..." (Trees, I don't love…)

"You are his and he is yours."

She stopped and her head lowered. "Sum Uxorem Nicoli. Nicolas habes me." (I am the wife of Nicolas. Nicolas has me.)

"Est verto?" Nicolas asked. (It is true?)

"Est verto," Sikkim Root confirmed. (It is true)

"Veni mihi." (Come to me)

Slowly Sikkim Root climbed down the trees to where Nicolas stood. He reached for her death wrap, but she put her hand in his and shook her head no.

"Cur non?" (Why not?)

"Nos expectandos dum opacus." (We must wait until dark)

"Sed tum non possum videre te." (But then I am not able to see you)

"Me potes videre. Habe patientiam." (You will be able to see me. Have patience)

"Habebo patientiam," Nicolas replied, but still pulled her close and held her in his arms. (I will have patience)

Sikkim Root stood in his arms, but felt as if she were betraying Nicolas. She had no feelings for him. On the other hand, she had feelings for Oak Leaf. Oak Leaf still came to Dead Man's Valley looking for her, but each time he came the trees instructed her to hide and remain silent. She was not to do anything when Oak Leaf came. But now, the trees had spoken the words that sealed her and Nicolas together. Though they really knew nothing about the other, they were now husband and wife. What all the trees planned for them now, she still didn't know.

Much of what had happened all ready, could have been done elsewhere. Still, the trees wanted them to stay in Dead Man's Valley for a while. When Nicolas finally let go, Sikkim Root started towards the river.

"Leni!" the trees shouted at her. (stop)

Sikkim stopped.

"Picea..." (Sikkim...)

"Sile, Nicolas." (Be still)

"Cur?" (why)

"Sikkim Root?" Oak Leaf called. "Where are you?"

"Quercus Folium?" Nicolas asked, taking a step forward.

Sikkim Root held out a hand to stop him, but he continued forward. He stopped when he reached her side. Through the trees, he could see Oak Leaf searching the trees for Sikkim Root.

"Te amat?" Nicolas asked, quietly. (Does he love you?)

Oak Leaf looked in the general area of where they stood before he crossed the river.

"Corre," Sikkim Root said. (Run)

"Picea..." (Sik…)

"Corre!" Then she disappeared into the trees. (Run!)

Nicolas followed quickly and found a tree close to Sikkim Root to climb up in. "Responde me, Picea Spinulosa Radix." (answer me)

"Sile, Nicolas. Respondebo posthac." (Be quiet. I will explain later)

Finally, Nicolas was silent. A moment later, Oak Leaf came through the trees, searching around him and looking up into the branches above him. Sikkim Root still had to be in Dead Man's Valley. A lost soul never leaves the area in which they die.

"Sikkim Root, where are you? Answer me, please!"

Sikkim Root could feel Nicolas' anger as he watched her. Her head remained bowed and every part of her body remained in the death wrap. He wondered if she loved Oak Leaf, even though she was his wife now. Once Oak Leaf left, Nicolas shifted in the tree.

"Leni, Nicolas," he heard. (Be still)

"Quis?" (Who?)

"Sile, Nicolas." (Stop)

"Ali..." (Who?)

"Nicolas?" Oak leaf called, having learned the name of the man responsible for Sikkim Root's death. "Nicolas, are you here somewhere?"

"Sile!" the trees shouted at him before he opened his mouth again. (Be still)

"Nicolas, if you are here, please tell me where Sikkim Root is."

Oak Leaf crossed the ground below them once again as he headed towards the river. His calls for both of them gradually softened until all was silent again. Sikkim Root remained where she was for several more minutes before she climbed down. Nicolas followed suit.

"Picea Spinulosa Radix, nunc me respondebis?" (Now will you answer me?)

"Respondebo, Nicolas. Quercus Folium me amat et amo eum. Sponduieramus prior mortuus mei." (I will respond. Oak Leaf loves me and I love him. We were to be engaged before my death)

"Videt tibi etiam etsi tu est mortuus, quoniam amor?" (He looks for you even though you are dead, because of love?)

"Est verto, Nicolas." (It is true)

"Tum cur sum hic?" (Then why am I here?)

"Nescio, Nicolas, sed arbora cupiditas te. Ignosces me?" (I don't know, but the trees wanted you. Do you forgive me?)

"Ignoscam te. Amabisne me?" (I forgive you. Will you love me?)

"Tempus dicet." Sikkim Root held out her hand for Nicolas and he took it. (Give it time)

They walked together to the north end of Dead Man's Valley, where Oak Leaf never searched, and Nicolas had Sikkim Root sit next to him and tell him about herself. What her life was like before the trees orchestrated her death, more about her people, and how she had come to know Latin. Sikkim Root spoke at length as Nicolas brought her closer to him and slowly unwrapped the death wrap so he could see her in the fading light.

"Est pulche," Nicolas interrupted, when he could see her face. (You are most beautiful)

She stopped talking and unwrapped his own death wrap, so she could get a better look at his face. He was handsome. His eyes were dark like the flint the Mountain Forest Tribe used for ceremonial arrows. Nicolas' hand moved across her cheek and he leaned in to kiss her. A part of her mind rebelled, but she silenced the voice and remained true to the tree's seal. His kiss was warm and tender, but held no meaning for her. Tonight would be their "wedding night" and she knew she had to give herself completely to Nicolas. But how was she going to do that, when she still cared very much for Oak Leaf and wished things were different.

"Quod est falsus, Picea Spinulosa Radix?" (What is wrong?)

"Sentio sum proditorum tibi, quoniam amo Quercus Folium." (I know I am sealed to you, but I love Oak Leaf)

"Remanebis fideles mihi?" (Will you remain faithful to me?)

"Remanebo fideles tibi," she replied, tears falling from her eyes. (I will remain faithful to you)

Nicolas wiped the tears from her eyes before he pulled her to her feet and they moved into a more secluded area. The deathwraps were removed completely and Nicolas lay Sikkim Root on the ground.

"Promitto remanere fidem tibi, Picea Spinulosa Radix," he said. (I promise to remain faithful to you, Sikkim Root)

"Gratias ago, Nicolas." (Thank you, Nicolas.)

The following morning, Sikkim Root found herself still locked in Nicolas' arms. Despite her conflicting feelings for her husband and ex-fiancé, last night she was able to feel true happiness; if only for a moment. She shifted slightly and Nicolas pulled her closer.

"Quinque plus tempora momentos," Nicolas muttered. (Stay here for a few more moments)

"Quinque tempora momentos, Nicolas." (I will stay for a few moments)

"Picea Spinulosa Radix, quod faciamus in Vallem Mortuus Viri?" (What can we do in Dead Man's Valley?)

"Nihil multus. Arbora denuntiant." (Nothing much. The trees will tell us)

"Quod faciamus de Quercus Folium?" (What are we going to do about Oak Leaf)

"Vitamus eum." (We avoid him)

"Remanandemus hic?" (Do we need to stay here?)

"Dum arbora dicunt aliter." (Until the trees tell us otherwise)

"Te amo," Nicolas said, kissing her forehead. (I love you)

"Te...amo etiam," she responded, softly. (you... I love also)

Sikkim Root was let go and she re-wrapped the death cloth around her and helped Nicolas with his as well. The trees were silent and she didn't know what that meant. As they made their way back to the center of the valley, Sikkim Root could already hear Oak Leaf calling for her. She kept to the edges, collecting roots and berries so the two of them could eat. It wasn't until several minutes had passed that Nicolas finally caught Oak Leaf's voice. He stopped and made Sikkim Root stop as well.

"Quid diu te quaererat?" Nicolas asked. (How long does he search for you?)

"Multa momentos," Sikkim Root replied. (Many moments)

"Dienque movet?" (Does he ever leave)

"Non numquam. Remanebimus in latebra." (Sometimes. We will remain in hiding)

"Quid arbora dicunt?" (What are the trees saying?)

"Nihil. Tacent." (Nothing. They are silent)

Sikkim Root handed him several things to eat then sat at the base of one of the trees. Nicolas sat as well. When he had been able to see Sikkim Root the night before, even with her short hair, she was quite beautiful. He hoped that in time she could forget her feelings for Oak Leaf and truly be faithful to him. They heard Oak Leaf's calls come near for a time then turn away again. Nicolas watched Sikkim Root carefully, knowing how much more she loved Oak Leaf than himself. He didn't want her out of his sight for that reason, but he knew that he needed to trust her to keep her word.

"Fecis hic, Picea Spinulosa Radix?" (What do you do here?)

"Secum reputo et audio arboris." (I think and listen to the trees)

"Non es solitarius?" (You are not lonely?)

"Eram multa solitarius, Nicolas, sed arbora promittant felices cum te." (I was very lonely, but the trees promised happiness with you)

"Es felices?" (Are you happy?)

"Nescio. Es felices, Nicolas?" (I don't know. Are you happy?)

"Sollicito de te." (I am anxious concerning you)

"Quoniam Quercus Folium?" (Because of Oak Leaf?)

Nicolas nodded.

"Sum occias eo. Non habet me." (I am dead to him. He cannot have me)

Her words were spoken with conviction, but Nicolas doubted her heart felt the same. It was her heart that made trusting those words so hard, but he had to start somewhere.