The Healing Touch: (Closed Thread)

[The_gladiator]

The healing Touch
By Glad and Alectra

Long slender fingers buried in the earth, gently helping the plant find its home in the soil. This was one of many herbs the elven healer had raised in the boxes along his window; now that they were large enough it was time for them to take root in the ground. Just in time for the fertility festivals that were to take place in days as midsummer’s eve approached. The magic generated by the elven people would fill the air, sink into the ground and just as elven life would quicken with the abundance of love making that would take place, so would the plant life the elves shepherded flourish during that time. He whispered soft words to the plants he took such pride in as he slowly rose to head back into his home.

He slowly brushed a blonde strand of his hair out of his face as warm blue eyes took in the amazing beauty that was his home, he still marveled at the harmony of where he lived. One of his dear friends had sung the home out of the tree, coaxing the living wood to form the house. The elves valued life in all its forms, and certain of them had special gifts in shaping the living wood to make dwellings such as his.

Light feet carried him up to his door. It was time for the healer and herbalist to prepare tea; he had a visitor that would be arriving shortly. His lord, the elven king had asked Talanthas for a very special favor. His daughter, the princess Layla had shown some interest in and aptitude for healing. King Jonlyn had asked him to evaluate the young woman, to determine if she truthfully had what it would take to be a healer. If she had what it took, he also requested that Talanthas see if he felt she would be an appropriate fit to apprentice her to him. It had been some time since his last pupal had achieved master levels, Talanthas telling his student that there was nothing else he could teach the young woman. She had since moved from the capital to a small village that needed a healer. She would be returning for the midsummer’s festival, as healers tended to play a special role in the rights, as some of the most connected to the earth and life.

He was anxious to meet with Layla. He had met the young woman before. Though, he had had little contact with her since she reached her majority, reaching age 99, some years ago, he was unsure how long ago that had been. He had treated some of her injuries and sicknesses as a child, and recently he had crossed paths with her as she visited with one of the city’s elders. That to him was a good sign, a healer needed to care for others, be willing to learn from those more experienced. The elder in question had developed a rare condition for elves; his mind was slowly deteriorating with age. The archivist spent hours a week with him, trying to capture some of his vast knowledge before he left their people. Elves did not die of old age as humans did, however they sometimes chose to let themselves fade which was for all intents and purposes similar to other forms of death. It was clear the elder would allow himself to fade away soon.

Talanthas lifted the lid on the pot of tea, smelling its rich aroma, it was ready, and all he needed now was his guest. She would come soon, he knew it, could sense a presence approaching.

 

[AlectraDevlani]

Layla was excited but also nervous as she walked towards the house of Talanthas. Layla was going there to study healing and really wanted to get straight to it. She didn't know though, if Talanthas would teach her though, as her father, the Elven King had told her it was only a trial period for now. Layla hoped Talanthas would see her as a good student and would take her as a apprentice. Layla had since she was a little girl always try to help plants and people who she felt needed it. Layla when she was just a little girl but big enough to walk and run was always asking people if they needed help, but not out of her own gain. Layla truly just wanted to help people, plants and animals. Layla truly wanted nothing more than peace. Part of achieving peace was helping people, plants and animals, and a way to help was by learning healing. After all as well, Layla's father did want her to choose a path to go down, after she had reached the age off 99 and was now an adult.

Layla finally reached the tree where Talanthas's house was and knocked on the door, wanting to be polite. Layla then while she waited took a few deep breaths to calm herself. 'It's alright.' She told herself. 'I am only here for a trial and I'm sure I can follow his instructions and learn. I always have been a fast learner.' With that Layla nodded to herself, being completely composed, her hands clasped together in front of her, looking dignified but also not arrogant at the same time. Having wanted to please her new teacher but not make him think he had a student with a big ego.

 

[The_gladiator]

A soft rap at his door alerted the healer that he had a guest. Coming smoothly to his feet, he approached and opened the front door. His face brightened with a slight smile to see the lady Layla, on time, just as he expected. “Ah my lady, I see that your father has instilled in you the virtue of punctuality.” He offered her a slight bow before lifting her hand to his lips, brushing them over her soft skin his blue eyes meeting hers.

“Come, and be welcome in my home.” He invited, stepping back and ushering her into his home. He favored simplicity in both his dress and his home. He wore the simple robes favored by many healers, priests and wizards, in soft earthy tones, greens and browns. The home for its part was furnished with a table, chairs, some resting pillows as well as the hearth and other parts of the kitchen in the main room. A separate room suggested a sleeping area, hidden from view from the front of the house save for the opening.

He guided her to the table, a gentle hand under her elbow urging her silently to sit. He stood beside her, formally pouring her tea. “You will have tea with me, won’t you?” Poring for himself he took a seat across from her and sipped the warm liquid, savoring the rich flavors the full aromas had suggested he would taste. “So, your father has asked me to meet with you, but I feel I should get to know you, tell me of you and what has brought you here today?” he encouraged eyes meeting hers.

 

[AlectraDevlani]

When the door opened Layla smiled back and bowed her head slightly in greeting as well, slightly blushing as his lips brushed over her fingers but composed herself when his eyes met hers. "Yes. I would think anyone with good manners would show up on time. Unless something happened to make them late. You always have to take situations into account for things." Layla then smiled and walked in with a slight nod of her head, barefoot already. "Thank you for inviting me into your home." Layla then looked around. "It is truly a beautiful home."

Layla was wearing a simple light blue dress, favoring the lighter white and blue colors, though she die like greens. Just brown wasn't her color. Layla hoped she didn't offend her hopefully new teacher with her choice in color. As Layla was looking around Talanthas gently guided her to a table and she stood until he sat down, nodding in agreement. "Of course, thank you for the tea, it smells wonderful." Layla then took a sip of her tea before setting it back down and thought about his question for a minute. "Well, as you probably know I recently became of age to go out on my own and learn what I want to do with my life and well. I feel like I would like to learn of healing and helping others. Nature and elves and animals. All of them." Layla paused then before she continued. "I have always felt a happiness and want to help others, whether it be a elf, or an animal or even a plant and Father said I should probably pursue something I had a passion for. So I decided to ask him if I could study healing and that has brought me here today. I hope I can learn a lot from you, even if it's not just healing. We can always learn something more no matter how old we are. Right?" Layla then smiled, while she kept eye contact with Talanthas. As she did this she also gently picked up her tea and took another sip, letting the warmth flow through her, having wanted to close her eyes and savor it even more, but instead she chose to keep eye contact, feeling it was vital.

 

[The_gladiator]

Talanthas listened to her speak while they both sipped their tea. She indeed sounded eager for her journey to begin. He honestly couldn’t say that he had been much different at her age. Some of the sparkle had worn off in the elven military, where he learned the beginnings of his healing arts. However he had not truly found the peace he sought until his days with the service were finished.

She held his gaze, and in their blue depths he could read her sincerity. The eyes were the windows to the soul and her soul was pure as the white in her clothing, it was refreshing to Talanthas, who found as he aged the more and more jaded he found himself becoming. She had the heir of springtime. A breath of fresh air.

Taking another drink of his tea he spoke, “The truest healers are born they are not made. It becomes evident that no matter what job or duty you take on, a true healer will always heal. Even if formally in another role as I was when in the service, a healer will do things to heal on their off time. I sense this calling within you as well, if your words and the feel of your aura are anything to judge by.” He considered her. “As to learning, yes, it is always good to learn, and I think the teacher can learn from the student as well. You mentioned wishing to learn other than healing from me, to what do you speak specifically? Or did you have nothing else specific in mind but rather just the experience you could gain from working with someone older. And while you ponder your answer to that question, like I said as the teacher I try to learn from all of my students, what do you think you could teach me Layla?” he asked, her name rolling off his tongue. He let a slight smile lift the corner of his lips, curious what answers she might have.