*is terribly anxious about the possibility of setting Nienor off*
*especially after his miserable failure with her brother the other day*
*but is determined to make something approaching progress on her case, one of these days*
*seeks her out* Níniel? I'd like to try something a little different today. How would you like to play a game that sounds nothing like hypnosis, could never be mistaken for hypnosis, and is in fact so dissimilar to hypnosis that some people might call it hypnosis? It's called...um...somniferous visualization.
Okay. *in soothing tones* Now close your eyes, and imagine you're sitting in that tree, where you've made a little nest for yourself, all snug and safe in the branches. It's summertime and the sun is shining. Little bright sunbeams find their way through the leaves and warm your skin. You've been working hard all day long, and all you can think of is rest. Rest, and quiet.
*softly and melodically* The birds are singing sweetly, but they sound very far away. Farther and farther away, as you get sleepier and sleepier. You can feel every muscle of your body relax, like all your worries are just drifting away. Sleep is a relief...a comfort. You feel yourself drifting...drifting...and you give yourself over to your dreams. You are warm and at peace. All you're aware of is my voice...softly...softly...
I'm standing... standing on the edge. There's water far below and it's moving so fast. So so fast and I'm scared. But I have to. It's all so wrong. Everything is wrong and I don't understand why this happened to me.
Take a step back, Nienor. Deep breaths now...you can do it. Just one step back. I know things are all wrong, but everything will look better tomorrow. There are many people who care for you. We'll help you fix things again.
The Enemy hurt you. None of the wrong things are your fault. Did you know that? You couldn't have done anything differently. None of it is your fault, Nienor. It isn't so bad, really. Just some silly rules broken. Not even cause to sit in the corner. You haven't done anything wrong.
But but it can't be undone! None of it can be undone! There's the baby -- you can't undo a baby. It won't look better tomorrow because there won't be a tomorrow. There can't be, there can never be. It's all too wrong and no matter whose fault it is it can't be fixed.
You can have that, Nienor. A fresh start. But you have to trust me. You have to believe me. And you have to face your memories and what you know to be true. It's not easy, but it's possible.
It's too much to bear all at once—I understand that. But you're a brave woman, and I have complete faith in you. Surely you have the courage to take small steps, one at a time?
One at a time, one at a time, one at a time. Baby steps. Steps like a baby. Tiny, tiny, tiny baby steps. But babies fall down and I have to fall down too. Far far down to where there are no babies.
*perturbed* Shhh, yes, tiny steps. One at a time. Don't worry; I'll help you back up if you fall. Be calm. You're safe in your tree, Níniel. Remember your tree? You're safe and warm and snug and will soon wake from your nap, refreshed. Listen to my voice, now.
You're safe. Perfectly safe. Breathe deeply. Be calm before I wake you. You're safe and when you wake you won't remember anything but that I said you needn't be afraid. You needn't fear your other self. You'll remember that I said those memories can't hurt you. You'll remember that if you fall, I'll pick you up again.
I'm going to count to three, and then you'll wake. You'll remember only your tiny step for today. Are you calm, Níniel? Are you rested?
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