What if there was another layer to the nightmare in “Gabrielle’s Hope”? What if it was not only a traumatic flashback to the past but also a glimpse of the future and reflection of the present?
Look at this person, her rigid posture and still facial expression, the prominent eyebrows and unblinking watchfulness in particular. As noted previously, Gabrielle does not carry or comport herself in such a way. She is comfortable in her skin; her bearing is not stiff and unbending. Her ocean eyes show more than one emotion at a time. So… this is not Gabrielle. This is Hope.
And this is not Meridian, but Gabrielle; or, at least, the battling bard’s innocence and goodness.
Gabrielle never embraced Meridian in life, never had a reason to do so. But you know who will seek out and soak up her mother’s affection every chance she gets? Hope. Too, much like Gabrielle will freeze upon being grabbed by her daughter, “Meridian” does the same in this dream; then, the world loses color.
But Dahak will appear to Hope behind her mother’s back, dangle lethal weapons within Hope’s reach and tempt her to use them. The demigoddess will think she can have both of her parents, but it is not to be.
Hope will ultimately pull away from her mother and choose her father. In killing Goewin, Kaleipus, and Solan, Hope will eviscerate Gabrielle’s innocence, goodness, soul. Her mother’s… hope.
The epiphany switches things, and dream-Meridian falls. Twice. After being pulled into a hug. The first time she collapses, we do not see it happen; the second time, we watch her go down. On the meridian that is Meridian, she becomes Hope.
Blood innocence dull and drained away, bloodstains bright and eternal, Gabrielle comes back to herself but realizes that she was and will be the true slayer of her hope. And Hope. :”)