POV of Claire
The darkness that surrounds me calms me in ways that the light and my regular existence cannot. As I gaze at the ancient elm tree in this enchanted woodland, I feel alive and free. I turned slowly to see that I was not alone in the darkness. The woman in front of me instilled in me a feeling of tranquillity and security. As well as a flood of emotions I had never experienced in millennia of maternal love. As she approaches me, her stride is excruciatingly slow. I’m tempted to embrace her and converse with her.
"Toujours et pour toujours, it is I. I promised you that I will return. I kept my promise. Have you kept yours, child?"
“Pour Toujours, Mother!” These are the words I’ve been longing to hear for millennia.
“Clarissa,” she exclaimed, and I ran over to embrace her.
