The trees welcomed Elarien as she walked. Their leaves rustled softly, not from the wind, but as if whispering to her. The air felt sweet, touched with the smell of fresh rain and blooming moss.
The silver wolf padded beside her.
You are almost ready, he said.
Elarien looked up.
"Ready for what?" she asked.
For the truth you carry to take shape, the wolf replied.
She didn't speak again. She simply followed the path, which rose gently through the forest. Sunlight streamed through the leaves above, painting golden patches on the ground. Birds flitted from branch to branch, and somewhere, a distant bell-like chime rang once.
The path opened into a clearing.
In the center stood a tall tree unlike any she had seen before. It was not thick like the Heart Tree, nor glowing like the forest trees. This one had bark like silk and leaves that shimmered in every color—green, gold, blue, even soft pink.
Elarien stepped closer.
The tree began to hum.
It was not a loud sound. It was more like a quiet breath, a lullaby just waking up. The leaves rustled, and the colors danced.
Then, one by one, the leaves began to fall.
They drifted slowly through the air, spinning and glowing.
Elarien reached out her hand.
One leaf landed gently on her palm.
As soon as it touched her skin, a soft sound filled her ears.
A song.
But not just any song.
It was her mother's voice.
Singing to her when she was little.
Soft and low, the same tune Nana sometimes hummed when the fire was dying down.
Elarien held her breath.
Another leaf touched her shoulder.
This one sang too, but the voice was different.
It was her own.
A small, shaky voice. The first time she ever sang aloud.
Then more leaves fell.
Each one carried a sound.
A moment.
A memory.
Her laughter.
Her tears.
A promise whispered to the moon.
The tree is giving your voice back to you, said the silver wolf. All the pieces you forgot or left behind.
Elarien stood in the middle of the leaves, and the song grew fuller.
She closed her eyes.
And sang.
Not words.
Not a song anyone had taught her.
But a sound from her heart.
Strong and sweet and a little wild.
The forest listened.
The sky above listened.
The ground beneath her feet listened.
And for the first time, Elarien wasn't afraid of being heard.
She opened her eyes.
The leaves had stopped falling.
But one still glowed in her palm.
She held it close.
A gift of memory.
And truth.
And love.
The silver wolf smiled.
Your voice is whole now.
Elarien nodded.
And I will use it.
Not to shout.
But to shine.