The spirit of Èowyn

Lucien She ran as if she was being chased by a pack of wolves. Terrified, desperate. I called out to her, tried to reach her but to no avail. The invisible wall between us would not fall. I hit it, threw myself against it, but nothing. I screamed in desperation as she fell and scraped her knees and hands against the rocks on the ground. Her white dress was getting torn and dirty. Why couldn't I reach her? She tried to get up but fell to the ground yet again. She seemed exhausted, broken down. Her long golden-blonde, wavy, hair seemed matted with dirt. And she radiated a resignation, a sadness that seemed to go soul deep. “Come on get up!” I screamed as loudly as my voice could carry me. Her sad eyes looked around as if she could sense me somewhere in the shadows before she broke down and sobbed. Howling could be heard through the wind and with it came a sense of imminent danger. Something was coming... ....... I woke up with a jolt, gasping for air. Another nightmare. My body was drenched in sweat, and my heart was pounding in my chest. It was time to find the woman from my dreams. I was sure that she was real, that she was important and most of all she needed my help.I couldn't take this much longer. The uncertainty, the insomnia, the terror that this woman must have felt and that I was powerless to help her. I knew she was special. Even in my dreams she had an aura, a presence that vibrated with.. something. I couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was. But I hadn't seen her clearly in a long time either. It was like a fog showing only glimpses and outlines. I ran my hands over my face in frustration before throwing off the covers to get up. There was no point in trying to go back to sleep. 3 hours of sleep was better than nothing. I looked around the bedroom that had been mine for the past two months. It was designed in a modern rustic style, with light colours and wooden details, a large fireplace in one corner and large windows that faced the Norwegian fjord. It was beautiful and cozy. But still I longed to go home. To my own bed, my own view, to solitude. Despite King Thorulf's generosity and the fact that his entire family had opened their arms to welcome me into their home, I still felt like an outcast. I came here to protect and support Zane and Lily during their difficult time. But the truth was that they didn't need me anymore. The goddess knew I loved Zane and Lily. I was so happy that Lily, who had gone from being completely abandoned in life, found not only a wonderful mate but a completely unknown family that had welcomed her with open arms. But seeing them all together, in their happiness, made me feel even more alone, more lost than ever. My nightmares had started to come more often. In the beginning, they weren't nightmares, though. They were sweet dreams, full of sunshine that I had never felt on my skin in real life but could almost taste in my sleep. They were full of hope, longing, and of her. Her blonde hair shone like spun gold in the sun as she ran across the meadows full of flowers. Smiling and laughing. She looked like an angel in a blue summer dress that hid an hourglass figure so perfect it set my entire body on fire. Her eyes sparkled as she turned to face me with that perfect smile. But each time I woke up before I could fully enjoy her presence and each time I woke up with my member hard as steel. More yearning and aching than I've ever been before. As the dreams continued to come, I began to hope, to believe that maybe she was my mate, my beloved, that I was meant to find. But then the dreams slowly began to change. I have stood on the other side of a misty curtain and watched as she cried herself to sleep, as she bathed her wounds and prayed to the goddess for salvation. I stumbled across the room towards my en-suite, hopefully I could wash away the exhaustion. I opened the glass door to the shower and let the cold-water trickle down my back as I leaned my arms against the stone tile, in need of washing away the sweat that coated my body. I tried to recall the dream to see if I remembered the details of her surroundings. Anything that could bring me closer to her. The worst part was not knowing if what I saw had already happened, if it was going to happen or if it was all just a figment of my imagination. Was I so desperate for my beloved that I began to lose my mind? Become mate-sick? Even though I asked myself that question when the hour felt like it was at its darkest peak, it couldn't erase the fact that this wasn't the first time I'd dreamed of events. Events that then came true and shattered my life as I knew it.. I ran my hands through my wet shoulder-length hair, closing my eyes as the water trickled down my face. If I used my imagination enough, I could almost feel my angel leaning against my chest, feel how I grabbed her waist-length hair and angled her face up to meet my gaze before I covered her lovely lips with mine. Ooh for heavens sake, focus! I will never find her if I occupy myself with daydreams instead of doing something useful. I got out of the shower thinking about what I had seen in my latest dream. But that forest and riverbank could be anywhere. But I'm sure I heard howling and that mountain in the background. There was something familiar about it… *** I didn't have to use my vampire hearing to find them, just follow the sound of Lily's happy laughter and Zane's mischievous one. The sound brought a smile to my face, even though my soul was gloomy, the sound of their happiness was uplifting. Against my better judgment, knowing that I would probably interrupt one of lily and Zane's constant 'playtimes', I peeked behind the half-open door only to find Zane, one of the toughest Lycans around, sitting on the floor surrounded by pink color-swatches and fluffy teddy bears as he struggled to assemble a crib. Who would have thought we'd be here only a few months ago? Back then, Zane was depressed and his Lycan had turned his back on him. But then he met Lily. His true mate, whom we rescued on a mission to map a criminal underground network. I have never met a couple more in love with each other. It was beautiful to watch. I could only hope that one day I would experience something similar. But I`m 400 years old, my hope was beginning to drain. But seeing my best friend and Lily so happy gave me some hope back. Zane was more than just my best friend though, he was like the brother I never had. We had been there for each other through thick and thin. And we knew we would always have each other's backs. Now that Lily had come into the picture and, furthermore, had fallen pregnant with twins, I was even more protective. I would give my life to protect any of them in a heartbeat. “Luci, what the he..” He didn't have time to finish his sentence before Lily playfully slapped him on the arm and gave him a stern look. “..strawberry cake.. are you doing up in the middle of the day? You look like sh*t by the way”, Zane said in his usual gruff voice as he looked innocently at Lily, who rolled her eyes at him. It was fun to hear him refrain from his usual rant of curse words. The gods knew that his stockpile of them was extensive. “The babies aren't even born yet, and I think it will be a while before they learn to catch up on your bad language. And thank you for the compliment.” I answered in a deadpan voice. "It's never too early to make him stop cursing like a sailor. Although I don't think anyone can make him snap out of it. I'm afraid his wordiness is ingrained in his soul.” Lily said as she came walking through the room with a big smile on her face. We both knew that deep down she loved Zane's gruff ways. “I'm afraid you're right" I replied as she stepped into my arms and gave me a warm hug filled with sisterly love. She looked up at me as if she knew exactly why I had come, and the sympathy I saw in her eyes made me care for her even more, even though the feelings made me uncomfortable. Deciding to change the subject, I asked, "So it's decided, you're staying here in Norway?" I did my best to block out my emotions as I asked. As if the thought of us living on separate continents didn't squeeze my heart painfully. They were the only family I had left. But my duty was in Canada. I can't stay here forever. “We stay until the babies are born at least. But then we'll come and visit often, I promise. Adrian gave us the log cabin by the lake, and we plan to vacation there often. You and Zane own the company together. So, his presence is sometimes required." She answered with an apologetic smile. I had to smooth this over quickly. I didn't want to cause any bad consciences for my sake. "I'm so happy for you. If anyone deserves to live in a safe, loving place like this, it's you two and I promise to visit as often as possible myself." Lily smiled at me through the tears that glistened in her eyes. I pulled her close and hugged her before kissing her hair lovingly. Our interlude was interrupted by Zane's mother, Eleanor, happily peeking through the door. "Lily, are you coming?" "Sorry! I completely forgot the time. See you guys later." Lily exclaimed before waving goodbye, giving Zane a quick kiss, and disappearing out the door with the former queen. "So? Are you going to tell me?" Zane stood up and crossed his arms while looking at me firmly. I sighed as I remembered why I sought him out. "I had another nightmare." "I figured as much.” Zane raised an arrogant dark eyebrow at me with a stance that wordlessly told me to continue. “The dreams are still hazy, like I'm behind a barrier. But this time she ran through a forest with a riverbank next to it. The snow had just begun to fall. In the background, however, was a mountain range that somehow felt familiar. But I don't know from where.” Zane must have sensed my inner turmoil because he placed a heavy, comforting hand on my shoulder as he gave me an understanding look that completely contradicted his tough exterior. “Still, this is a trail we can follow. I’ll get Adam and ask him to draw what you describe. It’s August, if the snow had just begun in your dream, it means there’s still time.”