An Owl's Rise

"Melisandre, what is all this!?" Evelyn asked, shock in her tone.

All around her was light pink smoke that smelled faintly sweet.

In fact, if not for her distress of suddenly finding herself surrounded by it, she felt that it would be quite relaxing.

"I did tell you that I would prepare a few things to help take the edge off the turmoil you were experiencing. This is a soothing incense I made. I am sure that it helped since you did not notice it until you resolved the chaos inside of you. Without it you likely would not have been able to focus for so long." Melisandre explained.

"How long was I out? It felt like an eternity and only a single moment all at once."

"It has been nearly two days since Katrina brought you to me. Frankly I am just glad that you were able to come to a resolution. You look like you are much more at peace than before."

After Melisandre pointed this out Evelyn soon felt what she meant.

Normally her expression was fairly hard and showed the pain she had endured, as well as the distrustfulness so many bad experiences had given her.

Yet now her expression was softer and calmer, and she felt like a heavy burden had been lifted off of her chest.

'I see my fear really was eating away at me the entire time.' Evelyn thought, now noticing just how much of an effect the anguish she had been feeling was.

"Melisandre thank you. Thank you so much for all you have done for me. I really cannot express how much it means to me." Evelyn said in a rare show of genuine emotion and vulnerability.

Tears even began flowing down her face and seeing this Melisandre moved over and embraced Evelyn in her arms.

For nearly twenty minutes the two of them simply stayed there and Melisandre allowed Evelyn to let out all of the emotions she had left bottled up.

Even with all the impossible difficult experiences she had been through Evelyn was still just a young girl at heart.

She had kept so much bottled up for so long but now it was bursting out like a broken dam.

"I am feeling better now Melisandre. Thank you again for helping me out time after time."

"Think nothing of it. You are my treasured disciple. I took you in because I saw potential in you, but what I feel for you is much more than that now." Melisandre said as she stroked Evelyn's head.

Once again Evelyn wanted to start crying, but held it in and instead just allowed the warm feeling rising up in her to take over.

'I really am not alone anymore.'

Understanding now that she had found a new family again Evelyn felt a sort of tranquility she had never experienced.

There were people that she could truly trust and would unconditionally look out for her. And in turn she would do the same. That was what it meant to have a close bond with another.

"Now it has been a few days since you last ate. I am sure you are hungry."

Immediately upon hearing this, Evelyn's stomach, as if on cue, began to rumble and let out a loud enough noise to easily hear.

"Yes, I think I could use some food." Evelyn said with a bashful look.

A smile on her face Melisandre took out the talisman that allowed her to warp to set locations in the mansion and brough them both as close the kitchen as she could.

The two of them then flew the rest of the way and got to work on cooking.

"It has been a while since you last worked with food in a proper setting, so I imagine you skills have gotten a bit rusty. Let us first start with an invigorating stew that will get your energy back." Melisandre said as she pulled out an especially large pot that was several times bigger than she was.

With clear and concise directions Melisandre instructed Evelyn on how to make the dish and only intervened when she was about to make a mistake.

In what was quite an enjoyable experience the two of them cooked up a large meal together that was filled with a number of magical plants and an abundance of different meats.

It was an incredibly hearty meal and by the time it was finished Evelyn felt her moth watering.

This was by no means what might be considered normal fare for an owl, but with their intellect they were able to do far more than just eat raw unprepared foods.

Around the time they began pouring portions of the stew into bowls for themselves Anneli and Katrina showed up.

Surprise was all over their faces when they saw the large pot of food that had been prepared.

"Looks like you both arrived at the most opportune time. We just finished making diner." Melisandre said, warmly beckoning the two to join them.

However, instead of the food what truly garnered their attention was Evelyn being up and well.

In a flurry Anneli rushed over and grabbed Evelyn while voicing how relieved and happy she was to see her better.

"I am glad too. Thanks for your concern Anneli. It means a lot to me." Evelyn said, returning the embrace.

This caught Anneli off guard as Evelyn would normally recoil against any physical contact but had instead accepted it happily.

Immediately both Anneli and Katrina could sense a drastic change in Evelyn, as if a wall she normally kept up had been brought down.

Though this was not entirely true. The wall was still there, it was just that Evelyn had installed a door and allowed certain individuals through it now.

When Anneli had gotten her fill of rejoicing Evelyn's recovery she moved away and allowed Katrina to approach.

"I am in need of thanking you as well. You dragged me out of my room when I was willing to try and resolve this problem on my own. Without your help bringing me to Melisandre I probably never would have been able to face my problem. Thank you." Evelyn said while bowing her head deeply.

"Just doing what needed to be done. Any of us would do all we can to help you."

"Yes, I think I have finally realized that. I also share the same sentiment. I know I am weaker than all of you are but if you need my help, I am always here for you as well." Evelyn said as she cast her gaze at all of her caretakers.

"Okay, this is really touching, but I am getting hungry, and we do not want to the food getting cold." Melisandre said, breaking the atmosphere.

With that all of them filled up large bowls of the stew Evelyn had made under Melisandre's instruction and began eating.

Just taking the first bite filled Evelyn with energy and the taste urged her on to eat more.

For some reason she felt that it was the best thing she had ever tasted even though she acknowledged that Melisandre was definitely a better cook.

'It has been too long.' Evelyn thought as she ate the food she had made along with those that she considered her family.