Rakantha Province: Bajor
Stardate: 53310.9
Laria finished wrapping her scarf around her hair before pushing open the doors to the temple. She stepped inside and took in its wonderful, comforting atmosphere. She knelt down to pay her respects to the altar. When she looked up, a familiar face was staring back at her causing her to grin from ear to ear.
"Welcome back, my child," Vedek Grigan said opening his arms wide. Laria jumped up and gave him a hug.
"Thank you, Vedek. It's so wonderful to see the improvements that have been made here since my last visit. It's incredible!"
"It seems the Bajoran government is finally taking our province's recovery seriously," Grigan replied. "With the help of the Prophets, Rakantha will be back to its old glory before this old man joins the Prophets." He cocked his head to one side. "It seems they have smiled on your plans to be married here. Everything is prepared next month."
"That is wonderful…" Laria said. His comment about the Prophets carried her mind back to the Celestial Temple.
"But something tells me that your wedding is not the only reason you visited. Come," he said bidding her to follow him. "We have much to discuss."
She followed him back to the Rectory. In the kitchen, he pulled out a chair at an old wooden table. Laria cautiously sat down while Grigan went over to the stove and grabbed a kettle of tea. He placed it down in front of her and poured them both a cup.
"This is wonderful," Laria said taking a sip of the steaming hot brew.
"I'm glad you like it," he said taking a seat across from her. "I grow the leaves myself in the garden behind the temple. It's a very old blend taught to me by my father. Very good for encouraging conversations." He paused, but then broached the subject Laria was too afraid to bring up.
"You're wondering why the Prophets sent you back, aren't you?" Grigan asked with a grin.
"How did you know about that?"
"My child," he said with a chuckle. "I'm old, not stupid. When a person is touched by the Prophets as spectacularly as you were, news travels fast among the vedeks."
Laria blushed and looked down into her tea.
"Why did they send me back, Vedek?" she finally managed utter. Then, Grigan said something completely unexpected.
"I don't know," he said shrugging his shoulders. "But whatever it was, I bet it was a good reason."
"That's it?" Laria said a little incensed. "You don't know of some passage in the sacred texts that applies?"
Grigan laughed.
"Laria, I'm just a simple country vedek. I don't have all the answers despite what some in my tiny congregation think. Did the Prophets tell you anything?"
"Yes, they said I was both of Bajor and not of Bajor…"
"Hmm…" Grigan said with a somewhat mischievous smile. "That sounds familiar. Glad to see my pagh reading skills are not growing dull in my old age."
Laria tried to join in the levity, but he could tell she was still deeply conflicted by her experience.
"Do you think they were wrong?" Grigan asked next.
"How could they be wrong?" Laria replied. "They're the Prophets. They said I would do what no other Bajoran has ever done. That I would see the old brought into the new."
"There is your answer then," Grigan said leaning back in his chair.
"But I don't know what that means!" Laria said looking down into her tea. "I assume it means that I will help bring Bajor into the Federation…"
"Ahhh…" Grigan said gently raising his hand. "There is your issue, young one. You only assume you understand what the Prophets were trying to say."
"How else could I know what they're saying?" Laria asked starting to get a little frustrated. "It's not like my divine revelation came with a guidebook…"
"Blasphemy does not become you, Laria," Grigan said.
"I'm sorry," she said embarrassed.
"No need for an apology," Grigan replied. "However, many mortals have found the words of the Prophets confusing from the beginning of our recorded history. They see across all time and space. What is clear to them is often murky to those of us without the context."
"Still, I don't know what to do to fulfill my destiny."
"Your destiny will reveal itself in time, Laria," Grigan continued. "Continue on the path the Prophets have laid out for you and you will see." She nodded, but didn't say anything. Grigan cocked his head to one side again. "Is there something else you're not telling me?"
Laria sighed.
"There is one other thing they told me. They said my place was no longer in the Celestial Temple. That I know belonged elsewhere. Does that mean they are turning me away? That I'm longer worthy to follow them?" She looked genuinely terrified. Grigan reached out and grabbed both her hands.
"The Prophets saved you, Child. They have not abandoned you. I am not sure what they meant by those words, but you must have faith that you will end up exactly where you need to be. It is the way of the universe."
"Faith…" Laria said glancing out the rectory's window.
"Yes, Faith," Grigan echoed even more firmly.
"Does that mean you have faith in me, Vedek?" she asked turning back to him.
"Child, I have more faith you in you now than ever before."