4 - The Portal

Ellaine stared at Margarette’s fading profile as she did to Finrod. Inside her head she had a battle to herself.

A part of her wanted so badly to go after her box even if she had to go through that ‘portal’ she heard. But a part of her wanted to stay at home. She could get a new box anyway and she didn’t want to see that dreadful monster again.

She knew it was clearly impossible but her eyes couldn’t have deceived her all the while. She’d go insane that way.

“Enough adventures for one day.” She marched to the house feeling just a little bit regretful.

Both the box and the necklace came from her real mother so it had same sentimental value. But now the box was gone, “Alright! I have to get that box so I can have my peace.”

But what did the monster really wanted with her possessions? Is the box really too important for the monster to chase her all the way to Biñan?

            She ran as fast as she could so she can catch up. She ran away from the buildings and headed for the suburbs.

            She passed by long, grassy plains and the river control. The river was full of water lilies, water spinach and bamboo sticks separating them. The field she ran was an alternation of asphalt and soil.

There were candy wrappers, metallic or plastic pieces, and other litters here and there. It must have rained slightly because there were small pools of water.

            At last, crossing the muddy road she saw Margarette. Her long ebony hair was caressed by the gentle breeze as she ran. Ellaine accelerated in order to catch up with her.

            “Why are you here?” Margarette asked her with worry spread over her face.

            “I want my box back!”

            “There’s no way you can retrieve it!”

            “There’s no way I would lose it!”

            In the end, Margarette gave in. “Suit yourself.”

            The older woman led her to the bridge which boarders Dela Paz and Malaban. Ellaine remembered Aunt Caroline’s story about Hazel and Jonathan’s daily ritual of just sitting there with contentment.

            The sun had just set and the surroundings were just so dark that Ellaine found it difficult to run. The bridge was deserted and the air was cool against the skin. People were probably inside their houses eating supper or already tucked in bed. 

            “Where exactly is this tunnel?” Ellaine asked as they crossed the bridge.

            “Down there!” She pointed to the river.

            “There?” How the hell could that body of water be a tunnel? She stared in disbelief.

            But Margarette was already climbing the wall down to the riverbank. “Are you coming?”

            “Of course.” Ellaine held onto the rocky wall fast and looked down as she descended.

            When they reached the riverbank, Margarette told Ellaine, “Once you jumped in the water, close your eyes and look down. Understand? You have to be quick because the tunnel is about to close.”

            “But—” Before she can finish what she had to say, Margarette had already jumped in the water. Ellaine looked down the river but there was no sign of the woman. Could it really be true?

            Ellaine took a second look at the water but it’s still as empty as if no one had just jumped in it. Giving up, she poised herself at the edge of the river.

Before jumping in, she immediately remembered Aunt Caroline. She must had come home by now and worried sick over her. She would just get her box quickly and explain everything to Aunt Caroline. After all, she could get the help of the man named Finrod to get the box for her.

Following Margarette’s instruction, she closed her eyes and looked down before jumping in. But she didn’t feel wet or cool; it’s as if she jumped in empty space.

Only when her feet touched the ground did Ellaine dared to open her eyes. Through her blurred vision, she could only see lots of green and brown. After a moment, she realized they were trees. It was bright everywhere and she heard birds chirping overhead.

She felt a hand on her shoulder, “Are you alright?”It was Margarette who was standing beside her.

 “Welcome to Lenriad. We’re on the junction of the tunnel to be more exact.”

“But where’s the river? And the bridge?” Ellaine turned a full circle as the whole place registered in her vision. It was a forest, so calm and peaceful.

The girl looked at her clothes and examined it. It wasn’t wet, same thing with her hair and skin. But how did it happen?

It was still night a while ago. She jumped in the river and landed on this forest. And now it was day. Is that possible?

Right, maybe she’s going out of her mind. Could she be dreaming?

No, she was just so sure she isn’t. The heat brought by the sun was so realistic it was either true or she just had a powerful imagination.

An idea crossed her mind, “Have we just passed through the world navel?”Ellaine’s mind raced. If they really crossed the so-called ‘world navel’, then this place is..

“Maybe you’re a little bit confused right now. As I said, you would be surprised at how great truth is within every legend.” Margarette faced her. “Do you want to go home now?”

“No, I won’t go home until I retrieve my box.”

“Then let’s go. Finrod went that way.” Margarette led her to somewhere deep in the forest.

They found Finrod fighting the same monster on the grassland just outside the forest. He was on top of the beast, holding his sword overhead.

He was prepared to kill it. Ellaine could see that. The fury in his eyes was too great to be left unnoticed. Restless, she turned to Margarette who stood beside her with her face grimly set. It appeared that even her company was used to seeing somebody killed. Can he really do it?

Ellaine’s heart beat fast and hard as she quietly watch Finrod and the monster both holding to Finrod’s sword. He could be killed, she thought. But he would also kill. She had never witnessed someone killing before, and she’s afraid she didn’t want to.

“Don’t!” She shouted.

Being surprised to hear her voice, Finrod looked at her direction. His opponent saw his distraction and slashed his right shoulder across his chest with his claws.

“Finrod!” Margarette gasped. They both went to him as the monster ran away.

The man was laying flat on the grass, a hand to his shoulder, and grunts emanated from his lips.

“Are you alright?” The older woman asked, “Let me see your wound.”

“Why is she here?” The stubborn man questioned instead of complying.

“Let me see your wound first.”

“Why is she here!” he shouted.

“I followed you.” Ellaine answered, “Are you satisfied now? Just let Marge see your wound.”

“Why did you follow me all the way here?” At least he withdrawn his hand and gave in to Margarette who poised a hand on top of his wound.

“I want the box.”

“You can get another in your world!”

“I don’t want another one!” She just couldn’t contain herself anymore. She didn’t care if he’s wounded or not but he had to hear what she had to say. “The box means a lot to me! A whole lot!”

“You can buy another one which can mean a lot to you.” He didn’t understand her. He faced Margarette, “Why did you let her follow you?’

“She’s as stubborn as you are now.”

“I don’t care. She has to go back to where she came.” Finrod sat up and grabbed Ellaine’s hand with his left hand.

“What do you think you’re doing?” She said.

“I’m taking you back.”

“Let go of me!” She pulled her hand back but he was stronger. “I said let go!”

“I don’t care about what you said. It’s dangerous here, don’t you get it? Nothing in your little happy world can contend to what this world has to offer. You could die!”

The wrath in his voice frightened her a lot but she had to face her fears. She had made her mind and she’s dead set to do it. “I don’t give a damn of what you got to say. Even if Hitler has been revived to this place, you can’t get me out of here without my box.”

“Stupid woman!” He had no choice. He lifted her up and brought her to his shoulder. “If I have to use force just to chase you out of here, then so be it.”

He brought her back inside the forest and to the ‘junction’. As it was, his right hand was currently disabled to open the tunnel. So he turned to Margarette who was just behind him, “Open the portal.”

“Okay.” Glancing to poor Ellaine, who was still squirming on Finrod’s shoulder, she mouthed the word ‘sorry’. She held her arms up and recited the spell that could open it. After her incantation, she faced the sky and scrutinized it, “Uh, Finrod.. It seems as though the portal is not opening..?”

“What do you mean not opening?” He looked down and jumped as he used to do when he goes through the portal but nothing happened. “Do the spell again.”

This time he forced his right hand up and helped Margarette. His shoulders heated and prickled to a large extent that he could no longer draw out magic. He grunted loudly. Margarette was by his side in a jiffy.

“Don’t push yourself! And please, put Ellaine down.”

Even though it wounded his pride, Finrod put her down and sat on the ground as the pain seemed to strip him his strength.

“What’s happening to him?” Ellaine asked. She shoved his hand and took a look at his shoulder, “He’s still bleeding!”

“The monster put poison in his blood. That’s why it can’t be healed with spell alone.”

“Spell? You’ve got to be kidding me..” She muttered.

Margarette didn’t mind her. “But pixie dust will. It cures all kinds of poisons.”

“Where could we find it? Deep in the forests or on the hillsides?” Let’s do it your way, Ellaine thought.

“Are you kidding me? Are you looking for trouble or something?” Margarette laughed at her suggestion just when she thought she’s getting the hang of it. “Pixies are known mood shifters. You can end up growing roots of your own or have nothing else left.”

“What do we do now?”

  I know of an apothecary selling pixie dusts. He’s living in a town across the Mohan grassland.”

“You mean that wide grassland out there?”

“Send her back.” Finrod said in a gruff, weak voice.

“Can you just rest? Reserve all the energy you have. You can boot me out when you have the strength to do it.” Ellaine nagged him before facing Margarette. “Lead the way.”

She looked at the silent elf resting in front of her, “You actually shut him up?”

“Don’t piss me off, Margarette!” Finrod threatened.

“Alright. Alright. I’m moving.”