Velveeta watched as Krsna hurried off to see after cook. She knew
that she should probably follow and help her sister but at this
moment, she felt the need to put some space between them. Velveeta
wasn’t sure she wanted to be chastised again for exploring the land
that they called home. Quickly making up her mind, she grabbed a
cloak hanging by the door and wrapped it around her shoulders,
bringing the hood up to cover her hair. With a furtive glance over her
shoulder, headed back out into the rain.
The rain had lessened and was now just a light drizzle as it fell
softly on her. She walked, not paying attention to where she was
heading and if truth be told, not really caring. The musty, earthy
smell of the wet ground was a pleasant sensation for her. It made her
feel comfortable. Not closed in and suffocated like the manor did at
times. Velveeta knew her sisters meant well but at times she really
missed her father. He never scolded her when her dress was dirty or
when she failed to do her chores. Instead he would cluck his tongue
and with a smile in his eye ask in a stern voice “What am I going to
do with you?” Velveeta would grin back, her green eyes sparkling “The
same as you always do Father!” and they would both laugh, the incident
forgotten. She was roused from her memories as a deer bounded across
her path and she watched as it disappeared into the forest. The wind
picked up and she looked around trying to figure out where she was as
she drew the cloak tighter around her. it was then that she saw the
white branches of the Brenhines Wen and heard Krsna’s warning from
earlier “I have told you to keep away from there..." Velveeta
straightened her shoulders and with a resolve, headed for the tree,
mainly because she was told not to, and she was tired of being treated
like a child.
Velveeta moved through the forest coming up with reasons as to why she
was near the tree, ready to answer the question, or accusations, she
knew would come when the sisters found out she was here. With a
start, she realized she was upon the majestic white tree before she
knew it and looked around, hoping no one was near enough to see her.
Velveeta looked at the tree with a sense of wonderment. It looked so
out of place in the forest, surrounded by the dark green of the other
trees that the branches almost seemed to shimmer. She moved towards
it, feeling a sense of calm settle over her as she sat on the fallen
fallen branch. The offerings of the villagers to the Brenhines Wen
sat near the broad base of the tree. Tucked in the little bunches of
flowers and wood carvings, Velveeta recognizes an offering of barley
stalks tied with a kind of patterned cloth that one of the peasant
women weaves, left for her sick child.
She raised one knee and with a sigh, rested her head on it. “It’s not
so bad here...” She thought as she watched the branches almost dance
around her. Lost in her thoughts she didn’t see the man approach,
appearing almost from a swirl of mist. “You have been told about this
place, little one. Why are you here?” The deep, calming voice
stirred Velveeta but it took her a moment to realized she knew it
“Father?” she asked in shock. The man took a few steps, bridging the
distance between them “Aye. And again I ask, why are you here?” She
looked at him with wonder. He looked younger then she remembered, his
hair didn’t hold as much grey and he just seemed...taller to her.
Velveeta slowly rose and walked to him, placing her hand on his arm.
Her hand tingled at the touch but she ignored it, choosing instead to
concentrate on how strong he felt. Just like she remembered.
“Father... I....” she was never at a loss for words... except for
now. “I don’t know” she said softly, a perplexed look on her face.
He gave a shake of his head and when she looked at him again, she saw
that twinkle in his eye that she remembered and she smiled. “You
need to listen to your sisters, little one” Before she could utter a
complaint against this, he tipped her chin up and placed a finger on
her lips, as if to silence her. “Come, I have something to show
you.” He took her by the hand and lead her away from the Brenhines
Wen.
In a blink of an eye they were at another spot on the estate.
Velveeta looked around, trying to get her bearings but couldn't find a
landmark she recognized. Puzzled, she looked up to father. “It is
time.” He said as he took a step to the side, and in doing so,
revealing the entrance to a cave. “Marcus will help you find your
way.” She had a million questions for her father but before she could
ask even one, he seemed to shimmer and start to fade “And Velveeta?
You mustn’t tell your sisters about this. They have to find their own
way.” She started to reach for him, to stop him from leaving when she
heard a voice from behind her “Good day, Lady Velveeta” Velveeta spun
and let out a gasp. “You seem to know my name and yet I don’t believe
I’ve made your acquaintance” She managed to get out while maintaining
her composure. “I am Marcus” said the dragon.
Velveeta let out a scream and sitting upright, looked around widely.
She was under the Brenhines Wen. “It was all a dream.....” she tried
to tell herself as she stood, brushing off her skirts. Velveeta looked
at the the tree with wonderment and fear and started to back away from
it She hadn’t brought an offering for her dream and legend had it
that the Brenhines Wen could pull her back, to live in the dream world
forever. Velveeta hurried back to the manor, one thought on her mind
“I need to find Marcus.”
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