Lull - Friday Flash Fiction

This is my offering to this week’s Flash Fiction Friday challenge by Selena Wolff:

Today’s genre – Fantasy

Solitary Words – Asphodel   Scramble  Fey

Lull

Lull was born into the world for one purpose. She was happy enough with her life but she secretly wish to be free to come and go from the village like the others did. Lull was tied by the moon and the nursery.

Lull stayed awake every night singing with a fey voice and rocking the changelings. Those that tended to them during the day said they were temperamental and never appeased. She loved them and knew no other could see past their deformities to their inner beauty like she did. She was always saddened when one of them grew big enough and left the nursery to be placed within a human home.

When mornings arrived Lull was always too tired to go out and explore so she’d settle herself down in the comfort of her home and drift off to sleep. In her dreams she would dance in the sun and feel the day develop around her.

One evening Lull awoke to the sound of pandemonium in the village. She glanced out the window to see the others scramble about. Lull saw the pointed ears, red and yellow eyes and jagged teeth of the thieves threatening her village. She worried about the changelings safety and rushed towards the nursery trying her best to stay invisible. When she reached the nursery everything had been overturned or taken and most of the changelings lay slaughtered. Lull wept as she ran from body to body checking for life. She’d been taught to fear creatures like these but in nearly three centuries she had never seen any. She now knew why her people had sworn them as enemies.

In the far corner of the nursery under an overturned cot lay one of the smallest changelings. She must have only arrived that day because Lull had never seen her before. She picked her up and held her close, she didn’t look like a changeling she was actually rather pretty. The tiny body shivered and Lull sang her a quiet melody until she slept peacefully.

Since their village location was compromised it was decided the survivors would rebuild their homes elsewhere. Lull did not take the move easily. Her only ward was growing alarmingly fast and it was clear she was not a changeling after all. She was meant to take Lull’s place.

One morning several moons after the attack Lull went to see Orin head of their village. She was very pleased when he agreed to grant Lull her one true wish.

When the warmth returned to their world, Lull entered her home to find a sprig of Asphodel at the foot of her bed. She knew her young apprentice was ready and so was she.

The wind blew gently from the west. Lull danced amongst the barley for the first and final time, the awns tickling her bare skin and making her smile. The radiant sun was illuminating her golden hair from above and warming her soul. It was the perfect day to die.

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