As they begin to swirl in a slow dance, they fade, the room fades, and everyone fades until I am standing in a white, empty area. I see nothing as far as my eye reaches. I look about me, slightly disorientated from the extreme difference of this place and where I just was. “Well?” the voice who called itself my memory has returned. I am so confused. A memory should not be able to speak to me. It should be part of my mind. A book that I read-”I asked you what you thought” But no book can talk and sound that annoyed.
“What I thought of what?” I feel equally annoyed for it invading my thoughts.
“Don't get cheeky with me!” it snaps, “I just showed you the last healthy night your father had before he grew 'ill'.”
I think about that for a moment. “But if you're my memory wouldn't I remember it just as it happened to me? If you, my memory were showing it to me, I would have been sitting on that throne.”
It sounds highly affronted. “Well I did the best I was allowed! The actually remembering is your job not mine.”
“Oh, I see.” I look down. What was it that it said the last time I spoke with it? Something about asking questions. Oh yes now I remember. “When we last spoke you were about to tell me how I could find you but I was awoken before you told me. Will you tell me now?”
“Certainly not.”
“Why ever not?”
“If you rephrase that so it is not a question I might be able to tell you.”
I think for a few moments. I thought that in dreams you don't often feel pain but I can feel my head throb. “Tell me why you won't.” it is rather rude but I can't think of anything else with the pain in my head.
“A little high and a little mighty but I'll overlook it this time. I can only answer one question per dream! I already told you that.”
I stop myself from asking what question that was just as it was teetering on my tooth ready to fall into the scorn of my unpredictably irritable memory.
“Um, I don't remember asking anything yet.”
“When you asked 'What I thought I of what?' that was a dumb question to waste by the way.”
“Oh yeah. You were a little less grumpy when we last talked. I'm pretty sure you were rather jolly.”
“I just worked really hard to help you see one of your memories and you hated it so of course I'm a little snappish. See if I ever do it again!” It snaps.
“Oh no, I didn't hate it! Now I know what my father an stepmother looked like! Whatever made you think I hated it? I mean, Please explain to me your reasoning for thinking that I hated it.”
“All you've done since I pulled you out of my little masterpiece is complain and ask questions that I can't answer anyway.” now it sounds almost like a child on the verge of tears. Really if this is my memory it has many moods and they change without warning.
“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. I'm just a little confused about everything. It really did help me.”
“I suppose you are suffering from the loss of me. Ah well Time for me to go for now and let you wake up. I've kept you in dream land long enough.”
With that, it is gone and I am aware of cold air around me and something uncomfortable beneath me. I open my eyes. The white is still all around and even falling from the sky. The area is no longer empty though. I am laying on the ground leaning up against a tree. I look about me and see Korin and Danielle a way off talking together about something or other. I Shiver. It is very cold and there is no fire. Suddenly, I recall what happened last night and my stomach drops. I didn't react that badly before in the dungeon. Perhaps that is why I didn't react badly because I was in the place I first had memory. But last night I was under stress trying to make our getaway and outside, and many other things. Korin gestures in my direction. His gaze follow his hand and he sees that I am awake. Danielle sees as well and they walk over to my side. “Good morning, Your Majesty,” Korin says although he seems distracted, “How are you?”
“Fine I guess. I'm sorry for last night.” I say and then, trying to make a joke but not doing very well. “Only little children are afraid of the dark.” It is obvious from Korin's quick little smile that he is trying to humor me as a nanny who does not want to be bothered smiles at a three-year-old when shown another new drawing.
“Hey look little brother! It's snowing!” Danielle’s greeting seem to be forced cheer.
I raise my eyebrows. “Really? I hadn't noticed exactly.” I try to make moods lighter with a bit of irony.
Korin hands me an apple. “First snow of winter actually. Here, have some delicious breakfast.” I take it realizing how hungry I am and sorry to have such a small breakfast. I try the bright side approach to it.
“Well it is delicious next to the last thing I ate.” I take a bite. It is the best apple I ever remember having. Which isn't saying much but I am trying to look on the bright side. It's not working too well. I repress a sigh and take another bite, chewing thoughtfully.
Danielle shivers and rubs her arms. “I wish we could find some shelter. Brr! It's cold!” She sits next to me. “How are you feeling Natty?” Her voice grows softer as she asks, “Do you think we can get on the move again?”
“Not yet.” I say.
“Not yet?”
“I have some questions for Korin.”
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I know this is one of my shorter chapters. but I've been working on each one being at least a certain number of words and it is over that amount so there! ;)