The Iron Ring by Lloyd Alexander

Author:Lloyd Alexander
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-09-19T16:00:00+00:00

19. The Hermit

He had never imagined an elephant could be lighthearted, let alone light footed. Yet, in the days that followed, Tamar noticed how Arvati's eyes had brightened since her rescue from the trackers. Even when trampling a path, she seemed to dance more than plod. From time to time, she would flap her ears, lift up her trunk, and trumpet exuberantly.

"No more hooks, no more chains," said Mirri, who had also observed Arvati's high spirits. "I think she finally got used to the idea that she's free of Nahusha for good and all."

As Tamar learned, however, Arvati had an added reason. The heavy undergrowth and oppressive shadows of the forest had given way to sunny stretches of rolling grassland. Early one morning, as Tamar saddled Gayatri, Arvati lumbered up to him.

"I've suspected it for a little while," she said. "Now I'm sure. What I'd always dreamed." Arvati snuffled through her trunk. "I can smell it. I can feel it. My herd isn't far from here."

"That's wonderful." Mirri laid a hand on Arvati's flank. "We'll miss you, but I know how much you want to join them."

"I can't." Arvati sadly shook her head. "For one thing, I'm in your debt. You gave me my freedom. I have yet to repay you."

"You owe us nothing," Tamar said. "Your freedom belongs to you. We only returned what was yours to begin with."

"There's another thing." Arvati heaved an enormous sigh. "You see, I'm-I'm afraid to go. I haven't the courage-I've been so long in captivity, I don't know how to manage on my own. To make my way alone? No. I'd be too frightened."

"Allow me to help." Soma-Nandi had padded up to listen. "I, too, owe a debt to the king of Sundari. But, with his permission, I shall stay with you until you are safe among your folk. You have nothing to fear, not while there is a tiger at your side to protect you."

"Go together, both of you," said Tamar. "It saddens me to part from you, but you have your own paths to follow."

"So I must," Arvati said at last, with tears brimming in her eyes. She gently touched the tip of her trunk to Tamar's forehead, to Mirri's and the others, even giving Garuda a fond tap on his beak. "Namaste, befriender of elephants. We have long memories, and you shall always be in mine."

"Namaste, befriender of tigers," said Soma-Nandi, stretching her forelegs and lowering her head in a graceful bow. "Speak my name to any of the Tiger Clan you should encounter. They will do as well for you as you did for me."

"Find your mate soon." Mirri put her arms around the tiger's neck and pressed her lips to Soma-Nandi's brow. "That's our best wish for you."

As Tamar urged them to start without delay, Arvati and Soma-Nandi set off across the meadow, heading for the distant woodlands. They went slowly at first, pausing for many backward glances. Their pace quickened after a time, until the elephant was galloping at top speed, the tiger bounding along beside her.

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