The Well-Spring - Chapter 3

Link for Chapter 2 - The Clearing

Chapter 3 - Scorching Sands

The bright sunbeams thrust through the dense boughs of ancient trees. The light reflected off the leaves. The constant breeze rustled the leaves: green sequins against a brown canvas.

Arwen blinking gazed at the clear blue sky. Birds were chirping; bees were humming as they danced from one flower to the next.

Arwen sat up quickly hoping to confront the creature. There was no sign of her or the blazing bonfire that had been there the night before. The only reminder or evidence of last night was the pang in her heart. Why she felt such loss; she did not know. A burden that seemed to have no purpose.

Arwen stood up slowly and walked to the edge of the clearing and walked the edge until she found an opening that would lead out and through the trees. The ground was worn where there had been traffic before. Using her hands and arms - extending them in front - she pushed branches and foliage away from her as she walked forward.

She continued in this fashion for about fifty paces and then felt the cool smooth surface of a stepping stone. She looked down and could see that another was placed just above the first. Still looking down she moved from one stone to the next until the plant life diminished on either side. Before her, a staircase made from smooth river stones led up a small hill through the trees. Still moving carefully and deliberately she made her way to the top.

She found herself standing on the edge of a large stone jutting out from the face of a mountain. From this viewpoint, she could see a vast desert. The sands glistened like golden diamonds; the sunlight bouncing off; blinding Arwen. As her eyes adjusted she was able to see a trail leading off this precipice.

The trail was dry and dusty. Thistles and nettles grew from cracks and crags along the way. The descent was easy and each step seemed to be easier as she neared the valley floor.

Each step brought the sound of moving water closer and closer and the air became cool. The last few steps of her descent were refreshing and cool. A freshwater spring bubbling up from the base of the mountain caught Arwen's attention. She was glad she was covered with dust and dirt. Her feet were cracked from walking barefoot for so long. If she had a mirror she would have shrunk from her tear-stained image. She was glad that she did not have a mirror.

She washed her face and wet her hair. This refreshing moment temporarily camouflage the situation she was in.

When she felt that she was as clean as she could get she turned back to the mountain; looking up at the stone jetty - mouth wide open…

"Oh my!" she exclaimed. The cliff from which she descended was much higher than she thought. The trail, visible; was narrow and steep - any misstep would have resulted in a perilous fall.

"Oh my," she whispered. "How did I get here?"

"I can not go back the way I came; it is far too dangerous."

Arwen turned toward the desert. Across the sandy expanse, she could see another mountain. She could make out a snake-like ribbon etched on its side and realized it was a road. The distance seemed reasonable. She was certain she could make it to the other side in a day.

Arwen turned back to the mountain - contemplating one last time. Hesitantly she turned back to the desert.

The warm sand rose up between her toes as her feet sunk slowly into the warm ever moving floor of this valley. Each step met resistance as she moved forward.

The desert seemed to expand as she continued to walk. The distance between her and the mountain behind her never grew. She felt like she was walking in place. The path before her seemed to grow longer. The only change that seemed to occur was the surface she walked upon.

The sand became hot and felt like shards of broken glass pressing against the soles of her feet. The blazing heat of the sun beating down on the sand played tricks on her. Mirages sprung up in various directions as she continued her journey. Once she thought she saw a small child running toward her, she blinked and the image was gone.

The ground would slither across her path, or was it a snake? She could not tell. Red ants marched from their ant hills to some unknown destination. Sand beetles and scorpions and lizards scurried about. An occasional screech from a hawk would echo through the still and otherwise soundless scenery.

The burning sand made her feet itch with pins and needles. She continued to endure the discomfort - hoping that this part of her journey would be over soon. The painful tingling began to spread through her body. She felt the pricking in her fingertips and hands - moving to her face and scalp.

The pain intensified with each step.

"STOP!" She screamed, "it burns!"

Chapter 4 - The Great Battle