Pack the Parcel by daughterofshadows, Idrils Scribe, , Grundy

Sunny Days

This was inspired by NaryaFlame's Moodboard for the Old Forest, even though it is set in Doriath.

A deer trotted out of the thicket, then another and another yet, until a small herd was grazing peacefully on the field.

Nellas watched them with a pleased smile.

The fawns were getting stronger day by day. The weather had been kind to all of them.

Clear skies, warm weather and clean rain meant all those living in the forests had time to grow.

She would return to check on the deer again, soon, but for now she turned away from the meadows and followed old familiar paths back to the settlements.

“Nellas!”

Young Túrin was running up to her with an excited smile on his face.

He, too, was growing like a weed.

“Come and see what I found!” he exclaimed and took her hand.

With a smile she let herself be tugged away.

Túrin stopped at the edge of a grove. At first glance, the floor looked like it was covered in gold.

“Look, the woodland poppies started blooming! It looks like a bit of sunshine was trapped in the forest!” Túrin said. “Isn’t it beautiful?”

It was.

And yet, the sight filled Nellas with a sense of dread.

She shook it off. The gift of foresight was not hers. She would not let this sunny day be shadowed by dark thoughts.

So, she smiled and took Túrin’s hand.

“It is lovely, indeed! How did you find it?”

Chapter End Notes

The poppies came from the tolkienshortfanworks thematic prompt for November!

Woodland Poppies are an actual plant, but they probably do not grow en masse as suggested here. Call it artistic license XD