The Muinntir Coille

"It was warm and loving, and as it faded into her skin the environment had changed, her surroundings were no longer a damp darkened cave, but a colosseum of giant trees filled and pathed with carved rooms and plant bound bridges painted illuminated by the peculiar bonfire dancing with white flames, dwarfing everything else at the center of this wast clearing of towering wood. It struck her as odd, usually, fire would burn wood, and yet this towering inferno left the leaves, bark, and vegetation surrounding her utterly untouched, whilst still spreading a gentle warmth through its rhythmic pulses. It was so comfortable, as this strange area washed away the tension of the past hours she barely gave notice to her legs giving in. As she collapsed she had yet to take notice of the shapes gathering around her. All she could think of at that moment was just how firm yet spry the wood pressing against her skin was."

"As Ruth woke she took notice of an unfamiliar room surrounded with even less familiar people. There was a lady sitting on a chair cut from the same wood as the rest of this space, and behind, peeking over a corner, two children, curiosity brimming from their stark green eyes. As they noticed her being awake they were quick to dart back across the corner and out of sight, the woman at the bedside seemed a bit surprised but was smiling with the warmth of motherly love, and with a gentle gesture, she kept Ruth from getting up. At this point, she was confused, who were these strange-looking people? With their smooth pale green skin seemingly radiant, long locks of hair white as snowfall, and eyes almost entirely green, with the exception of glowing auburn slits where normal pupils should have been. They were in no way human except for their stature, but they somehow felt safe, peaceful. She tried speaking but quickly realized as the lady spoke something in an almost otherworldly voice, the unknown language, the voices from that disembodied light must have been theirs."

"Without the ability to communicate, in this strange environment, she felt a bit taken back as a bitter sadness welled up into her eyes, at least she should be able to thank them for saving her. In response to the falling tears, it was like the woman understood her, embracing her in a way her own mother had never used to. A gentle embrace that made all that pain and frustration bubble to the surface and pour out with that salty stream, the wails seemingly attracting the attention of those other two children in addition to a man. And as the tears stopped flowing the man drew closer, his hands glowing in a similar way to that mysterious fire from earlier, what was he going to do? Feeling the relief that often comes with release and she found herself unsure and confused about what was to come, but she had no strength to resist, so she just silently hoped for whatever that light meant it would not hurt. As she clenched her eyes shut she could feel a light breath of warm air collide with her forehead before a hand planted its benign touch and at that moment Ruth sensed something else pouring. Words, phrases, and quick images flooded her mind, shaping a wild torrent of noise and expressions, painting everything else in a wild fiery white."

"She was unsure about how much time had passed, within the confusion it was like time had stopped working, by the time her eyes opened again everything seemed to be glazed in a foggy blur, and the room seemed somewhat darker than what it had been seemingly moments prior. The man was gone but the woman was still there, as she took notice of Ruth's woken state she spoke in the same otherworldly tune but this time Ruth understood the words spoken. She softly asked how she was feeling and introduced herself as Scyllia. After Ruth answered and returned the gesture Scyllia asked if she was feeling hungry, feeling both drained and famished she gratefully accepted the offer of food."

"As she was lead trough this carved house she spotted the dinner table fully packed, the father who introduced himself as Agor and the two children she would later come to know as Asmon and Silph, gathered around a round table growing from the floor itself, garnished and filled with colorful leaves, fruits, and nuts in all manners of incomprehensible shapes and sizes. To Ruth, this moment almost seemed like a fleeting dream but this would become her reality for innumerable years to come, where this immeasurable carved woodland would become her home."

She found a home huh? When everything seemed hopeless, just like me. It really goes to show that when everything seems the darkest there can still be a positive change. I wonder what else they will mention about the Muinntir Coille and what Ruth got to know growing up beside them? But I should wait, I have already gotten pretty far into the book and Harry is here, it would be a waste not making the best of it, he will still have to do supply runs every few days but he will stay here and not go too far again for the near future. These moments when He will just be here, either preparing a meal, talking to me, or just... being. He tends to sleep before me, at those times just like right now I can't help watching him as he rests peacefully, his back against the door, his chest slowly rising and sinking in sync with his slightly muffled breaths. Looking at him resting sort of fills me with motivation, especially after his confession, I still can't believe the fact that me just being here means so much to him, just as much as he means to me. All he has ever asked of me is the stories of my visions, even if the last few nights got me shook up I still ought to try harder, even if that winged one is more than a mere fever-dream.