Weak in Body, Strong in Mind and Spirit
Chapter 6: A Visit With Aurora

Kimberly, Pamela, Puyallup, and I walked towards Fisher Lake. Soon, we arrived at Aurora’s nest.

“I shall see if she’s awake,” said I.

I approached her nest quietly.

“Aurora?” I asked in a low voice.

“I’m right behind you, Madu,” said Aurora.

I turned, and standing behind the other three was Aurora. As they turned, Kimberly and Pamela looked at Aurora.

“Wow. How old is she? She is frail, wrinkled, and has very white hair,” projected Pamela.

“No one knows for sure, but some say she has been three hundred winters or more in the Forest,” I replied.

“Three hundred years!” Exclaimed Kimberly.

“Little People don’t live that long?” asked Puyallup.

“No, not even close. Sometimes a few live to a little over a hundred, but no one lives three hundred,” said Kimberly.

Aurora looked at Pamela and Kimberly carefully.

“Madu,” she said pointing to Kimberly, “this is the one who is ill.”

Puyallup translated for Kimberly.

“Ask her how she knows,” said Kimberly.

Puyallup did, and then replied. “She can smell it. She says you have cancer. She believes it has perhaps spread to your liver.”

“Wow,” said Kimberly. “It took my doctors a long time to figure that out, and many tests, and they’re still not sure.”

“I told you she is that good,” I said.

Aurora looked thoughtfully.

“Puyallup and Madu, this is very, very serious. If Kimberly was a Keeper of the Forest, I would have a very hard time of it. But although she is not of our species, I will do my best,” said Aurora.

Puyallup translated.

“Tell her that I really appreciate her trying,” said Kimberly. “No matter the outcome.”

“Yes, and tell her the same from me,” chimed in Pamela

Puyallup did.

“Puyallup and Madu, I need a plant that is very rare, but very powerful. You need to replace it and bring it here quickly,” said Aurora.

“What is it?” asked Puyallup.

“It is called Bitter Nightshade, or sometimes Poison Berry,” said Aurora.

“I don’t know what that is,” said Puyallup.

“Nor I,” I said.

I translated.

“I’ve heard of that,” said Kimberly. “It doesn’t grow around here, I don’t think.”

Puyallup translated Kimberly’s words to Aurora.

“No, it does not. Not in any quantity. It is rare here,” said Aurora. “I had some that was brought here by one of the Ancient Ones, but it is gone. It is the only remedy I know of that might help Kimberly.”

“Madu, I can Google it, but we need cell service,” said Pamela.

“Cell service?” I said.

“It allows my communication device to work. We must get back to Caroga Lake. We’ll leave here first thing in the morning,” said Pamela.

“Alright,” I said, translating to Aurora.

“Please thank Aurora again, and we will try to replace this,” said Pamela. I did.

Aurora looked sad. She approached Kimberly and put her arm around her and hugged her. Kimberly started to cry just a little.

“C’mon Kimberly,” said Pamela. “You’ve had a big day.”

We all left Aurora and went back to my nest, and where Kimberly and Pamela had erected their tent abode.

“Madu and Puyallup, I’m tired,” said Kimberly. “I’m going to bed.”

“Me too,” said Pamela. “I’m even too tired to play Scrabble.”

“Is that a saying, I’m too tired to play Scrabble?” asked Puyallup.

“No,” laughed Pamela. “It is a game. Kimberly kicks my butt every time we play.”

Puyallup and I looked at each other and scowled.

“If Kimberly attacks you when you play this game, why would you play it?” I asked.

Pamela and Kimberly giggled and crawled into their tent abode, where Olivia greeted them with a smile, licks, and a wagging butt.