Chapter Fifteen—Ledoras

I slowly stood with my hands up in the air. As I turned around slowly, she was wearing a cloak with the hood hiding the person’s face, the head a bit down. The sword is still onto my neck. “I mean no harm in this place. I’m here out of desperation.”

“Those who are in despair head into this mountain to die. Is that why you’re here?” she asked.

“I did not come all the way here to die.”

“That, I believe. This isn’t the place for a prince to lose his life,” she replied.

“I’m not a prince. I am but a lowly peasant,” I lied to protect my true identity. I don’t know who this woman is and what’s her purpose here, but I can’t just tell her who I really am.

“Young man, may I remind you that this mountain used to be where the ancient gods would hide. Us gatekeepers of this mountain can spot an immortal from far away,” she scoffed. “What brings a prince to a place such as this?”

“And why should I tell someone who’s hiding their face from me?” I answered with another question.

“You don’t know but I may be able to help you with whatever it is that you need.”

“How am I supposed to trust a stranger who drew her sword before my neck?”

Without saying anything, she slowly pulled her sword back. “I know this mountain more than you do, young prince. I know it by heart,” she said as she put the sword back in its scabbard. “I know what you seek. I can show you where you can find it. I can show you the way out. However, if you don’t want my help, I’m afraid you won’t succeed with your quest.”

“Why would you do such a thing for me? You don’t even know me.”

“I’m sure that by now, you have heard the stories of people who entered the mountain but never returned. This forest plays tricks on your mind,” she replied. “It will do anything to outwit anyone who enters. This forest hates intruders and will do anything to protect itself from cold-hearted people. It only trusts the guardians that were placed by the ancient gods,” she continued. “Now, how can I be of assistance to you?”

Perhaps there’s nothing in asking for her help. She may be a stranger, but it seems the forest trusts her. If guardians are placed to ensure the safety and peace on this mountain, she’s worthy of my trust.

“I’m looking for a plant. An herbal plant, to be exact,” I answered. “I heard that it has healed all kinds of illness, from the simplest wounds to the deadliest plagues. I need it for my mother.”

“Do you know the name of the herb that you’re looking for?” she asked.

“Yes, it’s the ledoras plant,” I said. “According to the Medicine Man, it’s a shrub, almost too little to see. It has little white flowers and everything about it is soft, from the root to its leaves. Legend says that they are pleasant-smelling plants. It’s very effective for the sick. However, if you took it for no reason, you would fall into a deep sleep.”

“You are well-prepared for your quest. The ledoras is an herb bestowed to the ancient gods by the elves and only a few people know about it,” she said. “Medicinal families are the ones who usually carry knowledge about it. Now, come and follow my lead. In order to find what you’re looking for, we need to get into the heart of the forest.” Without another word, she started to lead the way.

I immediately grabbed Laura and followed closely behind her.

“I suggest that you stay close to me. The forest can play with your mind at any time,” she reminded. “Trust your senses, always be on your guard. The forest can pretend to be a lot of things to deceive you.”

♔♔♔

After walking for a few miles, we approached a wooden bridge, hanging over a deep ravine. I took a quick look down and all I could see was darkness. “Your horse can go no further here,” the lady informed, turning around.

“I can’t just leave my horse here. She might run off,” I protested.

She sighed before walking towards Lady. She held her face and slowly leaned her forehead towards her. She started to whisper something to Lady which caused for Lady to walk to a nearby tree. “We must go,” she said, heading to the bridge.

“What about Lady?” I asked.

“She will wait for us,” she replied, not bothering to turn around. “Now, come. We must find what you’re looking for before dark.”

I took another look down the ravine. “Will I fall?”

“You will fall if you think you will,” she answered as she stepped down the bridge on the other side.

I took a deep breath in and walked over the bridge. As I took one step after another on the bridge, my legs were shaking and I was holding my breath. Sweat has started to form on my forehead as I start to think of the fact that one misstep can cause for me to fall. I looked up to the lady, the other side felt so near and yet so far. A few more steps and I finally reached the other side. As soon as my feet felt the sturdy ground, I took a deep breath of relief.

“That took a long time for a prince,” she remarked, chuckling. Without wasting any more time, she began to walk, and I quickly followed. My hand has never left my sword. I don’t know who this woman is. For all I know, she could be leading me into a trap.

♔♔♔

We have been walking for quite some time now and all I’ve been seeing are trees and everything that is green. But then, we arrived in a place where I thought only existed in myths and tales to make us sleep at night.

“We have arrived,” she started as she struck her staff onto the grass-covered ground. “The heart of the forest.”

I stepped forward; my mouth hung from my face as I couldn’t believe what my eyes were saying. A faint light from the sun was shining through the leaves from the towering trees. All kinds of flowers are spread around us. And to our right, a small kind of waterfall with a narrow river cascading passed us. All kinds of birds can be heard singing up in the air. I was about to walk further when the lady immediately stopped me.

“Is there something wrong?” I asked as I was brought back from my sense of wonder.

“Have you ever been in this kind of environment?” she enquired. “The kind of surrounding where everything is too beautiful, it’s unbelievable?”

“As a matter of fact, no. Why?”

She stuck her staff deep into the ground and walked towards me. She grabbed my right hand, put her hand on it and said a strange incantation. “Ledoras Flirante Lin. Ledoras Flirante Lin. Ledoras Flirante Lin.” As she kept her eyes closed and her hand on mine, the wind began to blow to my direction, almost sweeping me away. I could the enchantment within the wind as it twirled around me. After a few moments, the wind stopped and the lady let go of my hand.

“What did you do to me?” I asked as I looked into my hand.

“A stranger like you is highly unprotected in this kind of environment. Like I mentioned before, this place can play a lot of different tricks on your mind,” she replied as she walked back to her staff. “Everybody has their own wants, their own needs. This forest can put your wants, your desires right in front of you in order to trick you,” she continued as she turned around to my direction. “This is the reason why not everyone who has entered here has returned to their families.”

She added, “The incantation that I put in your hands will help you find what you’re looking for a lot faster. It will also protect you from any tricks that this forest can do to you.”

I looked back onto my hand and saw nothing different with it. I don’t know if I even should believe this woman with her words. She is, after all, the keeper of the forest. She could be doing this to get rid of me. She must’ve done that to everyone who has been here in the forest.

She suddenly grabbed my hand and pulled into a wide-open space where there are different kinds of plants, ranging from the smallest kinds of flowers to absolutely big ones. “This is where the ledoras plant is usually found. However, the forest will create a way to deceive you, so you have to keep your eyes peeled. Trust your instincts on what you think is the correct plant.”

I knelt down and began to crawl on the ground, carefully scanning every plant that I came across. Then, a plant that resembles the description of a ledoras has appeared right in front of me. I was about to reach out for it but for some reason, I stopped. The more I thought about it, the more that I can see that it’s all too convenient for a legendary plant to simply show itself to me.

I looked up and started scanning the other areas. Then, my eyes landed on a small waterfall to my right. I squinted my eyes and there, I saw another plant that fits the description of the ledoras given to me by the Medicine King.

I took another look at the ledoras plant right in front of me. But I proceeded to stand and head for the plant that I saw by the waterfall. I began making my way to the little waterfall, crossing a bridge made out of two trunks, covered with algae.

The plant was right at the bottom pool of the waterfall. It has grown into a very simple shrub on a wall made of rocks. I reached out my hand to touch it, only to be stopped by the lady, grabbing me by the wrist. I turned to look at her.

“Allow me,” she said with a smile. As I put my arm down, she got a piece of the plant and walked over to the cascading water. She dipped the plant into the water for a few seconds and then gently wrapped it with a very odd-looking leaf.

She stepped down from the waterfall and handed it over to me. “You did great, young prince. Not even this forest can deceive you. Do be careful with handling the plant for it’s very delicate,” she explained, impressed. “One careless move, the plant will be of no use for you. When you arrive home, have your mother eat it.”

“Eat this?!” I asked, my eyes widened and my brows met in the middle of my forehead. “Have you lost your mind?!”

“If you wish your mother to be healed, you will do what I told you to do.”

“How am I supposed to trust you? I don’t even know who you are,” I answered, expressing my doubt on her identity.

“I led you to the place where the plant can be found, am I right?” she reminded me. “And I haven’t led you nor your horse to any harm, correct?”

I stayed silent as I started thinking about what she said. She does have a point. For the whole time that I’ve been inside this forest, she hasn’t done anything to harm me or Lady. “But that doesn’t mean I have to give you my full trust.”

She nodded and replied, “I understand. Well, we must go. You have to leave this place before dark. I will lead the way for you.” She grabbed her staff and started walking in front of me.

“Of course. I owe this day to you, my lady,” I replied as I hopped onto Lady.

“The forest has decided to trust you. I just did what it wanted,” she answered. “Have your mother eat the plant. But she must never smell the plant. Its smell can be addicting to the sick and it could be the cause of their death.”

“Is it possible for me to brew this plant?” I asked. “My mother needs an easier way to take medicinal herbs.”

She went silent for a few seconds before responding, “You may brew it but not too much. Its extract must remain as strong as it is as a plant.”

“I will be forever grateful for your help,” I repeated my thanks. “I would like to return someday and properly thank you for what you’ve done for me.”

“There’s no need for those. I did what I had to do.” She then turned around and knelt before me. I gave her a nod of acknowledgement as she stood up. I then rode back to the castle as quickly as I could.

♔♔♔

When I finally returned to the castle, I started running to the master bedroom. On my way there, Elizabeth stopped me from my tracks.

“Hello, brother,” she smiled as she walked up from behind me. “Where have you been? Why are you in such a rush?”

“Mother has given me the permission to look for the cure that the Medicine King has told her,” I informed her with a victorious smile on my face. I couldn’t stop smiling as I felt so triumphant.

“But Mother said Bethilda has been healing her with her own medicinal herbs in her tea,” Elizabeth said, confused. “My maids told me that she’s in Mother’s room right now.”

“I’ll go there right now,” I started walking once again, passing by her.

“Why?” she asked, making me turn around.

“I have to give this medicine to Mother,” I answered.

“Bethilda is already taking care of Mother. She wouldn’t even let me enter the room because she said that I will only stop her from resting,” she explained. “Why don’t we just let her do what she has to do?”

“Thank you for your explanation, Elizabeth but James left me the responsibility for Mother,” I said.” I will see you later.” I turned back around and proceeded to the master’s bedroom.

♔♔♔

When I arrived at the door, I held my hand up to knock but I heard faint talking. I know I shouldn’t make eavesdropping a habit, but I want to know what kind of atmosphere I will be walking myself into.

“How are you feeling, dear sister?” I heard Behilda asked Mother with sincerity.

“I continue to feel worse as I continue to stay here in bed,” Mother coughed.

“I’m deeply worried for you, dear sister,” Bethilda said. “I told you that the Medicine Kind won’t be of any help. I don’t understand why you still continue catering to him.” So, it was Bethilda who told Mother to stop consulting and not believe what the Medicine King told her to do.

What was she trying to do? Does she really want to kill my mother?

“I only now realized that you’re quite correct about the Medicine King. Is there any news from my husband?” Mother asked.

“James is still on his voyage, sister. He said he will return as soon as everything is done with his trip,” Bethilda explained.

“And what about Robert? Has he returned?” Mother asked another.

“I haven’t seen him within the castle grounds. The last time I saw him was when he stormed out of my little tea party with your daughter,” she remarked, obviously disgusted by me. Even the brief mention of my name made her spine tingle. “Where has he gone?”

“He asked for permission to find some medicine for me and I allowed it,” Mother answered.

“Medicine?!” Bethilda raised her voice slightly. “The tea I make for you already has medicine. It will cleanse the soul and once everything is cleaned from the inside, all will be better. Am I correct?”

“Don’t be mistaken by my decision, Bethilda. I do feel better each time I drink your special tea. And I’m more than grateful for you, taking care of me,” Mother said. “But after a few conversations with Robert, I guess I do need a different kind of medicine.”

“I know he’s your son, Amelia. But I don’t trust his idea,” Bethilda protested.

“And do you think I trust the idea of simply giving my mother tea in order for her to recover?” I asked, barging into the room. The doors swung open and hit the walls behind it. A loud bang echoed throughout the room.

“Robert!” Bethilda exclaimed, shocked. “I didn’t know you were already here.”

I paid no mind to her and walked directly to Mother. “I have your medicine, Mother,” I smiled, sitting beside her. I kissed her forehead before showing the ledoras plant, still wrapped within the leaf.

“Is this real?” Mother looked at me with pride.

“Yes, Mother. It’s the ledoras plant,” I answered, carefully opening the leaf. “This is what the Medicine King told you to take. I asked him about it, and now I have found it for you.”

“How does it work?” she asked, eager.

“You can take it as it is, or we can brew it. According to the guardian of this plant, it’s better to eat it directly,” I explained. “I planned to brew it, but I didn’t want the strength of the herb to decrease. But there’s no need to worry, it’s soft enough to chew.”

Mother lent out her hand and I slowly helped her sit up. I put some pillows behind her to support her back.

“Sister, I don’t think this is a good idea,” Bethilda intervened. “Only the Medicine King and your son know about this plant. This plant might poison you even more,” she continued as she grew desperate for Mother not to do what is needed for her to heal.

I turned to Bethilda, looking at her with hate. My brows furrowed and I bit my inner cheeks in an attempt of stopping myself from saying anything against Bethilda and her ways. She’s not worth the energy to oppose.

“Bethilda, there’s nothing to worry about,” Mother put a hand on Bethilda as she assured her with our decision. “I trust Robert’s decision. He’s never done something to harm us. You should, too.”

Bethilda pulled her hand back as she slowly stood back up by the other side of the bed. “Of course,” she bowed her head.

I offered the plant to Mother and she eagerly accepted it. She took a deep breath and looked at me before putting it in her mouth and started to eat it. After she chewed the plant, she drank some water and we waited for an effect. She put her hand on the side of the head, her eyes began to look drowsy. “I feel a bit… sleepy. I would like to have some rest.”

I nodded and helped her lie back down. As soon as her back felt the soft mattress, she started to snore. It’s as if she’s only having a good rest right now. Bethilda and I then left the room, letting her sleep.

I went on my way when I was suddenly stopped by a call on my name, “Robert?”

I groaned silently before turning around to face Bethilda.

“Where did you find such a plant?” she asked as she walked closer to me. “And how come you know so much about that plant?”

“Why are you—all of a sudden—curious about the plant?” I answered with a question.

“That plant is an unfamiliar one to me. It may cause more harm than good to your mother,” she said. “At this point, we can’t risk trying anything for her health. One wrong move and everything can go wrong. I’m not sure how much studying you did in order to find that plant but for now, all my tea to do the healing.”

“Here’s the problem between the two of us, Bethilda,” I took a step forward. “You don’t trust my plan, I don’t trust your tea. My mother trusted my decision and by the looks of it, she’s having a good rest right now. Let that be the end of this conversation.” I turned around and started walking.

“Robert,” she called out to me once more, causing me to stop on my tracks. This time, I didn’t bother to turn around. “In order for your mother to get better, we must cooperate with one another. We’re a family. We shouldn’t oppose one another.”

“If you want our cooperation, the least you can do is to stop interfering with our ideas in helping our mother get better.” As she didn’t say another word after my reply, I went on my way.

I may seem rude, disrespectful towards my aunt, but I don’t regret it. In the first place, she was only a visitor here. I know she’s the sister but when it comes to the health of the king and queen, she doesn’t have that much of a say about it. It’s so coincidental that when she arrived here, Mother’s health began to deteriorate even more. I will not let her destroy this family. This family has stood strong for generations, and I wouldn’t let it be torn down by a woman who looks like a big warthog that’s wearing a dress that has such a big arse.

♔♔♔

I finally arrived in my room but as I looked around, Elizabeth’s things were nowhere to be seen. Perhaps her room has been returned to its original state. Finally, I can have some sleep. I was about to lie down when someone knocked on my door. I sat down on the edge. “Who is it?”

The door opened and Gonzalo entered with a silver plate on his hand. “Your Highness,” he bowed before me. “A letter has arrived for you. It came this morning,” he continued, handing the letter.

My brows furrowed as the letter landed on my hands. “Who sent it?” I asked, looking up.

“Nana Olsa didn’t say. She simply said one of the guards to give it to you,” he replied.

“Nana received it?” I asked, even more confused. She doesn’t usually receive my letters. The messenger would only hand them directly to Gonzalo. Gonzalo was the one I assigned to attend and sort my letters. “Are you certain Nana didn’t say anything about its origin?”

He shook his head. “Nana only told us to give it to you privately.”

I nodded. “Thank you, Gonzalo.”

He bowed and left the room quickly. I opened the letter,

“Robert, I don’t know if you’re still looking for me. I don’t know if you’re wondering where I am or still curious to see me. But I would like for you to know that my disappearance, my absence in your life may be the best thing for us all. I want peace and I know you would want that as well. Forget me. Continue on with your life. —Laura”

The paper fell slowly from my hand as I stared on the floor. Her absence is needed?! How could she think like that?! I never said such a thing! Without any second thoughts, I rushed to the stables. I must get to the bakery as fast as possible. I don’t want her to think and feel that she doesn’t matter to me.