She got up carefully, and went to get ready. It was a big day for her, and so she wanted and needed to look her best. Her long imprisonment had not helped her looks, but she allowed herself a moment of pride when she looked in the mirror and saw that the scars were hardly visible anymore.
The strange connection she shared with the Boy was strong today, so focusing her mind, she tried to send him some love. Her thoughts went back to when they were kids and they discovered this odd bond they shared. When she was being held captive, it was that link that gave her the strength to endure.
She had become angry when she realized that the Boy had forgotten her, but then she realized that he had buried all memory of those years to save himself form having to remember the torture they had both been put through. When he become a man, he rediscovered the link, and bravely faced his own demons to strengthen it. He had dreams of them both being free, but his plans failed and while she was released, it was now his turn to be held captive
She thought about the complex and even contradictory emotions they felt together. On the one hand, she was now free, and it was such a sweet nectar she could drown in it. To do things which she had only dreamed of, to feel, to move as she pleased, to choose her own path, to touch, to love . . .
On the other hand, the cost had be almost more than she could bear. To have the Boy captured in her place, and worse, to be blamed for his loss by those who had loved him most was heartbreaking to her. Thanks to the link, she knew him better than anyone, did they really think she would cause him or those he loved pain on purpose?
But she steeled herself, and turned from her regrets. Today, she would fulfill her vow, and she would share her joy with him through their link. Then, she would draw as near to him as she dared and use their bond to take from him as much of his sorrow as she could bear.
But, to do that, she knew she would need all her strength, and what she did today would be critical in achieving that goal. First things first, she told herself. It was almost time to go.
End of Part 1
To Be Continued...
The Girl arrived at her destination, and soon was ushered into the room where the magician-healers would be able to remove the last of the scars left over from her long imprisonment. She began counting backwards, and suddenly, she was in the Link and the Link was . . .
A field. Green grass, soft hills, a quiet stream . . .
She heard a noise behind her, and turned. She saw the Prison that had been her home too long, and now held the Boy. As she watched, it began to fall apart, collapsing into itself. Soon, it was a pile of dust and smoke, and then it was gone.
But where was the Boy? Her heart began to pound. Then, just when she thought she would burst, he appeared. She had never seen him look so confident, so strong, and there was a glow around him.
“Hello sis.” He said. “I finally figured out how this place works”
“Are you free then?” She asked. “Can we be together like you planned?”
“Yes, and no.” He replied. “I am afraid we are going to have to have a talk.”
“So, sis, you ready to talk?” The Boy said. They stood facing each other in the Link, which had turned into a quiet grassy field, with the smoke from the destruction of the prison that had held them each in turn drifting upward in the distance. The only other sounds she could hear were the sounds of nature; birds, insects, and a soft bubbling brook nearby.
“Ok,” she said, “You said you figured out how the Link works?” The Boy looked down at the grass. “Yes,” he said, “but it came with a cost”
“Cost?” she asked. “Yes,” he replied, “you see, I have really enjoyed our time together. I wouldn’t have traded it for anything, but, I am sorry, it has to come to an end.”
“An end?” she repeated, “I don’t understand.” “Yes,” he replied, still looking at the ground at her feet, “ I realized . . . I am holding you back.”
He continued, “We have been stuck together for a long time now. But its time for you to have your real turn. You need time, and space to figure out who you are, and you cant do that while you are stuck holding on to me.”
“But,” she started to cry, “I wanted you with me when I woke up from the Healer” “I know hun,” the Boy said, “but, trust me, it has to be this way.’
He drew himself up and looked at her and said “You are now my heir hun, everything I had, everything I could have had, they are yours.” “Then you are really going away, forever?” she asked.
“Forever is too long to think about.” He said. The girl was sobbing now. “What do I do without you?” she asked.
“Keep the promise you made when you got free. Live your dreams. Make me proud. And I know you can” The Girl felt the link start to fade, and realized she was going to wake up soon.
“I will do my best.” she said, drying her eyes, “I won’t forget you”
She started to wake, and heard the Boy’s voice for the last time saying, “Goodbye, sis. You are going to be ok.”
Then the Girl opened up her eyes and said to herself “Yes, I am going to be ok.”