The crest of the steep incline loomed large ahead of her, outlined in the reflected light of the full moon, where the tree cover began to fail; the air freshening as the dankness of the forest gave way to the scent of the lake below.
Elanore's heart pounded, her thoughts raced as they did whenever she returned to this dreaded, awful, and yet haunting place.
Standing, on the brow of the hill, sight of the still blackend ruins seared her mind sharply; the pain of memory tumbling back to a time, once so full of joy, now a torment and blighted past.
The pain proved too much, as always it had, the tears flowed as legs gave way beneath her, crumpling to the ground and openly weeping, cursing; heart bleeding.
Here, only here, did she allow herself this release, a blessing and a curse and an act of - rememberance.
She would always remember, thet she had pledged. An oath burned deep into heart and mind and body, the essence of her soul. Oh, she would 'ever remember .....
How could she ever forget?