Erin had been working in the garden when she looked up and noticed Flora come running, panting. "I was looking for you!" She called out to Erin.
Erin looked up and shielded her eyes from the sun, "I wasn't trying to hide Flora."
Flora looked at the dirt sheepishly, "I know. I just forgot that you would be out here. I thought you would be in the library studying."
Erin nodded. "I needed a break, my head and neck were throbbing pain. I thought some nice weather and fresh air would help put me in the right state of mind."
Flora nodded and knelt down beside Erin. She grabbed her hand, "Lets go for a walk?"
Erin shrugged her shoulders, "Okay." She let herself be pulled away from from the garden. Her feet followed the girl blindly. When they were out of the garden Erin asked, "Where are we going?"
"Just a walk, no where in particular. I just wanted to talk to you. I know your ritual is almost upon you."
Erin turned and looked at the 'hippie-like' girl next to her and nodded, "What about?"
"Are you happy?" She asked innocently, her eyes staring straight ahead, but Flora wasn't looking at anything in particular.
Erin thought about it for a moment. Was she happy? The first week or so had been rough. But she was now settling into a routine. She still avoided Elizabet. Elizabet made no attempt to bother Erin either. "Before I answer, can I ask you a question?"
A wide smile spread across Flora's face. Her eyes became little crescents as she turned and looked at Erin. "Of course. Ask me anything!"
"Are you happy?" Erin asked. "Are you glad to have found the coven?"
Erin and Flora had walked into the cemetery and Flora motioned for them to sit on a bench.
"Yes, I am happy to be with the Coven. But there are days that I miss my family and friends. The coven saved me, they gave me a home. I'll tell you my story?"
Erin let a smile creep on to her face and she nodded.
"I was born a long time ago. My father a Dryad and my mother a witch. My father was madly in love with my mother, she was a nature witch and they obviously got along wonderfully. We were happy for a good while. We were living in a forest near what is currently called the Black Forest, in Germany. But, as you know, we all came to this coven because of terrible tragedies. I wasn't aware of the greater fight that was brewing between the mythological creatures. I was only aware of my little hamlet. My forest, my home."
Flora paused for a bit. A smile still on her face, but it didn't reach her eyes.
Flora continued after she blinked. "Witch trials were happening in England and all over Europe. The witch trials eventually found it's way to our little corner of the world. My mother would travel to town periodically and one time she didn't return home. She wasn't aware of the trials occurring, none of us were. I ran to the town to find her tied up with two other women. I learned that the town's people handed her over. I wanted to run over and bring her to me, but she mouthed for me to stay where I was. I watched as the man with a torch lit each of the three fire pyres. I stood and watched. She didn't make a noise. Even when the fire consumed her body she didn't call out in pain. She still had strength in her eyes. And, sadness was there too, the townspeople had given her up, when she had helped many with their ailments."
Erin noticed a few tears slide down Flora's cheeks. But the young hippie woman did not stop her story. Erin realized that it didn't end there. "I ran from the town and into the safety of the forest. To my father's family. I told him what happened and he held me tightly. His family loved my mother and to hear that she was burned at the stake was a tragedy. We mourned her in the traditions and the ways of the trees."
"Unfortunately, the story doesn't end there. When the trials had concluded in town, they came to the forest. They said nefarious creatures, demons, lived in the woods and they had to be dealt with as it was the mighty lords will. The nefarious creatures were my dryad relatives. My aunts and uncles, cousins, grandparents, and all the great grandparents. They had lived in the forest forever. They were never evil, they just kept to themselves. The townspeople at the direction of a man dressed in all black, set fire to the forest. Dryads are linked to their trees, so when the trees were burning my family was burning, dying. I can still hear their screaming when I close my eyes. Like it was just yesterday when in fact it has been over 450 years ago. Being only half dryad, I was not destroyed in the fire. Part of me wanted to run and perish with them in the fire, but I knew they would be disappointed in me. Instead I ran further into the Black Forest."
Flora looked up and looked directly into Erin's eyes. They met each other's gaze. "In the Black Forest is where Hattie found me. Alone. She took me into her care and brought me into the folds of her coven. I think if it was not for Hattie and the coven, I surely would have perished not too long after that. Being in the coven gave me a purpose and for that I am alive today. So, while I am still sad about my family, I am pleased to be here with my new one. I do not regret joining, I never have." Flora concluded.
Flora looked to the side at a tombstone nearby. Erin jumped over to Flor and wrapped her arms around her. Erin held her new friend tightly. "Thank you for sharing with me. Mostly I am happy to answer your original question, but-"
"But a part of you still misses your family?" Flora finished for the girl.
Erin nodded.