A Harp's Choice
By: Ilen Posted on: June 30, 2014
Old, gnarled hands stroked the silver strings of the lap harp. The melodious chord hung in the air until the worn fingers stilled the strings. "We've been through a lot, haven't we dear one?" murmured an aged, yet sophisticated, female voice. She sat within the rocking chair that had been beside the front window for decades as she held her oldest, most treasured companion. Her eyes, milky and nearly blind, gazed off into the distance as she plucked a few strings. "I remember the day you chose me in the music shop, so many years ago.."
Lya laughed as she walked down Dejourdie Street in Caer Witrin with a group of fellow Dilettantes. Around them children threw snowballs or went sledding, enjoying the winter weather. There was a feeling of joy mixed with nervousness and excitement as they walked the streets. Today they'd choose their first instruments. The group chattered as they worked their way towards the music shop, trying to hide their nervousness with gossip.
They walked into the shop, quickly peeling away gloves and unfastening coats as the warmth of the fire stole into their bones. As they peeled off their winter hats and looked about, they abruptly stopped and bowed their heads, murmuring a soft, respective, "Madame Provost," as they saw their House mistress. Beside the Provost stood Salieri, the proprietor of the music store. The man gave a gallant bow and smiled in welcome.
"Welcome to my humble store. The Provost tells me you're this years group of students to be chosen by your first instrument." Lya and her classmates glanced at each other before one, a young grook, blurted out, "Don't you mean to choose our first instrument?" Salieri and the Provost merely exchanged a look and chuckled before he shook his head. "No. I promise young musician, you'll understand soon."
Salieri went to work setting out tables and instruments as the bards looked about, puzzled. One table for each of the five major bardic instruments was set out, with a selection of five to ten of each instrument. As the final instrument was set out, Salieri turned back to his audience, saying softly and with a teaching tone, "Well, let's begin."
He walked along the line of students, pausing briefly before Lya. He frowned just a moment before turning back. Eventually, he stopped before the young grook. "Now, young man, I wish you to open your mind. When your instrument chooses you, you'll notice something deeper and richer with it than with the others. It won't be apparent to your classmates. In your heart, though, you'll feel it."
Decidedly sceptical, the boy reached for an instrument. The lute was plucked awkwardly at first, then as nervousness fled with more flair. Eventually he set it aside and moved to the next. If not for his smug look, none would have noticed the difference as he began to play a platinum flute. His eyes widened with shock as he played a slow, haunting melody. When he finally let the last notes die, he gazed about with an astonished expression and hugged the flute to his chest. The Provost wrapped an arm around his shoulder, her eyes sparkling as the rest of the students began eagerly trying out instruments.
Lya was the last without an instrument. She'd made the rounds like everyone else, but none had really stood out to her. Now she blinked back the tears threatening to fall as she wondered if this meant she wasn't to be a bard. Salieri saw the crushed expression on her face and shared a look with the Provost. Quietly he slipped into his back room.
When he returned he carried a harp, its frame crafted from gleaming, polished ebony. The design itself was simple, and silver strings contrasted vibrantly with the wood. The harp's only decoration was a butterfly carved from black diamond that eternally fluttered upon the crown.
Lya's eyes were only for the masterful harp. As she took it gently from Salieri she barely heard him say, "This harp is picky. She has only chosen a mistress a handful of times in her long life. The last was my mother."
Lya cradled the harp in her arms and slowly plucked at the strings. As the rich tonalities flooded the room, her heart sang. She played a classical piece, her eyes closing as the harp seemed to respond before she even asked it to.
When the song ended, the entire room had tears in their eyes. The harp had completed her, and her very best had come out with it. Salieri patted her shoulder, whispering softly, "My mother would have liked you." He cleared his throat and said louder, "Well, you all have your instruments. Now go get started!" Lya needed no encouragement as she gently walked outside to begin her musical career.
"It was an interesting musical career, was it not?" Lya whispered, her voice now an aged whisper, somehow frail. She sighed and smiled as she saw the shadow of a young girl coming up the path. "You want someone who can play you as you deserve to be played, though, don't you? I think this student will suit you fine, my one and only love."
The girl entered, her face glowing with excitement. The hands that took the harp from Lya were gentle and reverent. The harp began to sing under the girl's skilled fingers, in a tone deeper and richer than any Lya had played. Neither instrument nor student noticed Lya's eyes close for the last time, her life complete as her harp chose a new beginning for itself.