MELITA
Melita, of course, being Melita, had splashed a significant amount of water over herself, cobblestones, and any other dirt or earth that managed to be along her path. Despite carrying two buckets at the same time, she’d still tried to merrily skip along, and with a shake of her head, a toss of her hair, and some well-coated laughter, encouraged by compliments of Lily (strong often didn’t mean wise, which everyone would see now), she refilled them once more. Learning from the first error, and the slight strain in her arms, she maneuvered a bit more slowly, a bit more carefully, until all of them had reached the troughs, pouring the water into the wooden basin. This was still done with some aplomb on Melita’s part, not minding some of the droplets cascading back on her – shuddering only once on the residual cold.The men were successful in their regards as well, Loren’s rebinding of the sack meant they could continue on their way, and after unloading their wares, the food troughs were full too, bulging with potential food, with the hopes of leading the luxere closer and closer into town. “Excellent!” She quipped, peering into the troughs and melding her hands together.
Then, as if she were enticed by some great, grand melee, she melded her next set of instructions. “Now, I think all we have left to do is sing! Follow me to the woodline, and we’ll see if we can tempt some!” Her smile was bright and effervescent all over again, movements light and bounding, as if the blight hadn’t scorched over her bones and enamel. When they reached the edge, towards forests, groves, and the protection all timber seemed to afford the beatific, glowing creatures, she began to hum. Completely, utterly tone deaf, she prospered a tune instead, allowing others to complete it with lyrics or stanzas. “Think of the happiest thing, and let it fill your heart. Sing about it!”
Melita thought of her sister, of her mother, in grander times, beneath the whirlwind sun and the heat of the desert. She thought of her friends and others she considered family, pressed together, fighting alongside one another despite every adversary hissing in their presence. She thought of silly little Fangorn, nestled by her ankles, and those she cherished along these grounds. Then she closed her eyes, willing the antlers to peek through brush and nettles, willing the rest of them to apply their spirits in tunes and harmonies.
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Woohoo, hopefully the final round! Think happy thoughts and sing a tune!
You're all gonna watch me
Disappear into the sun
Disappear into the sun
