The Black Lake

Bye

I was sat with my feet in the water, my head tilted towards the darkening sky. so much had changed over the past few days, i could barely get my head around it all.
I had lost my brother, lost my husband, but gained a new artemis...one that i cared about, even though he, for some reason, slightly scared me.

I walk out to the Black Lake, taking a break from working in the Hospital Wing. As I walk out there, I notice someone looking a bit melancholy. I walk over to her, a kind smile on my face. "Hello there. Mind if I join you?"

I guester to her to sit down. 'Sure. free country after all.'

"Thank you, dear." I take a seat next to her, looking out over the water. "It's quite a beautiful lake, isn't it? Very peaceful and relaxing."

'its one of my favourite places in the castle'

"It's one of my daughter's as well." I smile, "She loves to come out here and draw the lake."

'i just...' I sigh. 'Its the one place i find peace. no arguements...no one. its a place i can be myself. if that makes sence.'

"It makes perfect sense. But... Why would you not want to be yourself anywhere else?" I ask, merely curious.

'i do want to be myself, but everyone expects me to be what they want me to be. What they think i am.'

"Well, the world does work that way..." I look at her, my eyes kind and sympathetic, "But people should like you for who you are, not what they want you to be."

I smile sadly. 'but that will never happen. my brother wants me to be on his side, my friends want me on theirs. I feel so...torn in two.'

"Ah, so your brother and friends don't see eye to eye, but you love them both..." I nod, thinking about it. "You're doing your best to please both of them; that's very selfless of you." I give her a friendly, motherly smile.

'but its hurting me.'

I nod, "Yes, I wouldn't doubt that. Life does it's best to hurt us." Thinking for a moment, I say, "But if you be patient and don't give up, I guarantee that it'll all work out." I smile.

'How can you be so sure?'

"It may take a while... But I learn from experience." I look down, my eyes a bit sad, "My husband is a mad scientist, who was bullied his whole life before he met me. After we got married and had our two beautiful daughters, he started to go... Insane." I sigh, "He loves to hurt and torture people. But I have noticed that he's been feeling remorse." I look at her, "All we can do is help in any way we can, and be patient, no matter how hard it is."

'i wish there was some sort of spell that told you what to do..'

I chuckle, "Unfortunately, there's not." I look at her with a motherly gaze, "Things will work out in the end; they always do. And never be afraid to turn to someone if you need help."

'I have no one to turn to. my family hate me because they see me as a traitor...and my friends no longer trust me.'

"You're always welcome to come to me, dear." I smile.

'you sure you trust me enough not to kill you or so anything stupid, since thats all other people think i do?'

"I know you won't, Dear. You're very kind and selfless so far."

'Im not kind. im a monster'

I raise a questioning brow, "What makes you say that?"