moonshadows

So….la…

My breathing hitched. I had to be imagining it, but I cleared my mind as Cenarius had taught me and tried again.

So…la…

Farthi? I shaped the word, but did not even whisper it.

…Sola? Overhead, the rustling of leaves – but not so much as a breeze. Sola…is that you?

Farthi, it’s me. Your baby sister.

Where – I can’t see you, Sola! I can hear you, smell you, feel you… The branches thrashed now, as if in a high wind. Wait. Am I…a tree?

His incredulity came across so clearly that I had to laugh. No, Farthi. You’re many trees. Aspens. The trunks may die, but the roots live on. Smiling, I leaned back against one. You’re a forest, Farthi.

Solaria, he drawled, and I could almost see his hands on his hips. Why am I a forest?

You were injured, brother. The memory of him lying as though asleep for years and years shuddered behind my eyes. You weren’t waking up. It was killing Father.

Sola?

…it was killing me, too. You weren’t dead, just asleep, but it had been so long that we were beginning to mourn you. I turned you into an aspen so that you could continue to sleep, and thrive. And then I went back to Cenarius and spent three years learning how to commune with trees in case you ever woke up.

He rustled thoughtfully for a minute. How long has it been?

Just feel how far your roots go, brother.

He did, and I heard his wonder – and quiet horror. Are you alright? Is Father…

We’re fine, I assured him. What about you?

What about me? he repeated softly.

Not many remember you. I gave him the bad news first. But the wood from your trunks is prized, and your forest is healthy and beloved. I can change you back…

I hear that ‘but’ in there, baby sister. What happens if you change me back?

You’ll return to the way you were before I changed you – physically, I mean. You won’t be in that endless slumber anymore.

What would happen to the rest of the forest?

I closed my eyes and leaned back against the tree. I don’t know. It might survive and be fine; it might wither and die.

Then I’ll stay as I am, he rustled resolutely.

Brother…are you sure about that?

What did I have as an elf, baby sister? I’ve always been the slacker, content to not excel. To be part of the setting for your shining jewel. Remember Charlise?

The only girl he’d ever dallied with for more than an evening.

She sucked my dick, but she practiced on yours before she ever let me kiss her, he continued wryly. Come on, Sola. Being a beloved forest with prized wood is probably the most useful thing I’ve done in my life, and I don’t even have to work at it. I can sit around in the sunlight drinking and daydreaming. I don’t have to worry about if my shoes match my hair, I don’t have to worry about if what I do will reflect badly on you or Father, and I get to sleep in for an entire season without anyone nagging me to get up. Heck, if you can teach some others the trick of talking with me, I can relay messages, watch for danger within my border…

It was a good idea, I couldn’t deny that. You just want to hear people admiring your wood, I teased.

Rippling laughter swept through the trees. It would be about time someone admired it!