By Master Hector of the Black Height
Many years passed, and
the tales of Ealdormere spread, and the people kept their pieces of her secret
heart and shared them. Finally, so many tales spread and so many pieces were
treasured that, of their own accord, the people resolved to challenge the Fates
and assemble the secret heart again.
From far and wide the
people came together in the depths of winter's darkness, and they brought forth
their pieces. The oldest and the youngest handed over their treasures, and
those who remembered past days were amazed to see that they had received all
the pieces of the secret heart and more besides, enough it seemed for two
hearts.
With care and
compassion the people assembled two hearts, and found there was but one piece
missing from the pair. The people rejoiced at their good fortune, and then
wondered at the one piece that denied them a second hero's heart.
And the stars twinkled
and Ealdormere spoke and said, "I will take back the complete heart, and
leave the incomplete with you; give what remains with you a home." And
Ealdormere took the complete heart into the stars, and it was never seen again
by mortal man. The people were confused by this selfishness, but they obeyed
her command and made a home for the second heart.
This home was
beautiful and pure, yet humble. It had strong arms for the sword and bow, and
gentle hands for the young and hurt. Its eye was clear and its voice was sweet.
Its memory was long but its imagination vast. Despite a missing piece the
second heart fit, and Ealdormere seemed to walk the land again.
The Three Sisters
again knew that someone walked the world without their consent, and they
resolved to punish Ealdormere once more, but from the skies Ealdormere hailed
the Sisters and said, "I am here. I am punished. Your curse holds me. You
cannot read my wyrd twice." And the Sisters were still, for they saw that
the heart that walked the earth was incomplete, and they did no more in
consequence.
And the people were
glad, but their gladness was held in check by the knowledge of Ealdormere's
selfishness. The new hero sensed the reservation of the people, and she asked
what grieved them so.
The people said,
"Your twin, who was so generous and kind, saw that when your hearts were
assembled there was one piece missing, and she took that piece and left you
lacking. This we do not understand, for she was a hero."
And Ealdormere said,
"The one piece of her former heart my sister would not share was the
bitterness that cast her from you. I lack that bitterness, but bear all her
other attributes. I am not complete; but I am whole, thanks to her. She is as
you made her, and as you made me. She is a hero, and thanks to her sacrifice we
all may grow."
And so Spring came and
the Northlands bloomed, and in the night skies her sentinel heard Ealdormere
singing again by the fires, and the stars shone brighter for the joy of it.
(copyright Arthur McLean 1991-2000)
(copyright Arthur McLean 1991-2000)
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