Hiraeth

Beginning

I dance along the water's edge as the small droplets land on my ankles, chilling my skin and nipping at my feet. My footsteps are quiet and soft, sunken into the sand with the splashing of waves drowning out the soft patter of my feet against the solid ground. The air is cold once it grasps at any piece of my skin covered by a coat of water, but other than that it's merely cooling while the hot sun dies out along the horizon. Spring had passed and now it was summer, with large and lush trees left over from the season before with plenty of food stored for the winter already. The world was paused around me, the air still swishing around and the waves constantly moving but the people within my kingdom, Kanyth, weren't here. There was nothing but myself and nature here. It was dusk, the sun starching across the horizon before finally dipping under setting the land into slumber and darkness. Torches and candles lit the pathways and sky's, but the suns glow wasn't present.
"Aquata," a harsh whisper came from behind me and soft steps trailed mine.
"Yes, Silas?" I smiled softly, turning my head to look behind me at him for a mere moment before continuing.
Silas was a young boy, standing almost at my own height despite him being years younger than me. He was eleven, while I was nineteen. We weren't from the same families but despite that both of our parents were extremely close. He grew up around me, and so he was like a little brother.
"Why are you out so late?" He snipped, glaring at my back.
I laughed a bit before turning around and walking backwards so I was facing him,"I could ask you the same, you know your mother wouldn't like you following me out here."
He rolled his eyes, shaking his head,"we should go back, it's dark out!"
"Fine fine, come here. Don't get lost." A chuckled a bit as he bound up to walk besides me.
Silas kept close to my side as we walked, it was dark despite the torches and it was certain both our parents knew we were out since they got home around this time. We hurried along the pathways before reaching Silas's house first. With a smile I watched him head inside, sighing to myself before jogging to my own house. My dress was bunched up, beautiful but worn. I had plenty of dresses, plenty from my mother, some from gifts, and a few for the occasional outing with my friends. They were all lighter colors, blues and greens that glowed next to my pale skin and complimented my long honey blonde hair. Finally reaching I reached my own home, opening the door to slowly walk inside.
Kanyth was, and is, a kingdom of joy and light. It's considered the most peaceful and tranquil kingdom of all five, and has been this way for centuries. Everything was colored in pastels and light colors, white being a large theme. While there were plenty of castles and palaces, most citizens preferred to have their own small homes within villages. Of course if one was unable to find or make a home they would be gifted a room in one of the castles, or taken into a home.
Kanyth was the best kingdom.
I shut the door slowly, taking off my shoes to not soil the rugs and hard wood flooring. My parents seemed to be in the kitchen, talking bad laughing to each other. I smiled to myself, walking into the kitchen to hug them both.
"Aquta! You're home." My mother, Orchid, greeted, hugging back as my father chuckled.
"Sorry for the wait, the beach is nice at night this time of year." I commented, giving them each a last squeeze before stepping back and looking around.
The kitchen was clean, as usual, but cooking ingredients were neatly laid out on the counter.
"Yes, but please do be careful when you go out. Anything near the sea can be dangerous you know, with the tide and what lurks beneath!" My mother joked, smiling, while still making sure I was safe.
"She knows, she knows! She's strong, you know." My father, Madonious, stated proudly, giving my mother another hug before going back over to the stove.
My father was a well known cook in Kanyth, being talented and affordable. He also cooked for us at home, allowing me to help if I didn't burn myself. My mother on the other hand was a seamstress, while she used to enjoy and constantly do her work she now enjoys teaching others about it more than actually doing it.
"So Aquta, you'll be going to the ball, right? It'll definitely help with your career choice, and I made you a beautiful dress!" My mother spoke as she poured a glass of water carefully.
"A ball?" Was the first words that came out of my mouth after the statement.
She gave me a look, before explaining,"yes, the ball. I was talking to you about it last week. It's coming up within a few days, you know. I told you to think about it." She chided.
I laughed a bit,"oh, of course I'll go. You didn't have to make me a dress though. Will it really be that extravagant, for you to make a whole new dress?"
"Of course! Plenty of people from other kingdoms will be there, including royals and upper class citizens, and our very own council. It'd be smart to get on their good side now." She explained easily, taking a sip for her glass before pouring one for father.
"Oh, I guess that true." I laugh slightly.
My mother nodded, rolling her eyes playfully before pulling her raven black hair into a bun and heading outside with her water. While she loved being around others it was common for her to go outside in order to get fresh air. Unlike my mother, my father and I were less social. My father was very introverted, enjoying staying inside despite his charisma. I was less introverted and enjoyed the outside, but didn't particularly enjoy socializing with random people. I guess I was a little of them both, since they were both there most of my childhood.
"What are you making?" I suddenly asked, my father turning to give me a small smile.
"Soup, I'm sure you'd enjoy some hot noodles with this chilled weather. It definitely feels like summer, but colder, yes? Also, make sure to remind me after dinner to clean your flats. We don't need your mother finding out you wore them in water." My father responded, smiling and turning back to the food while chuckling.
"Of course," I smiled, a bit embarrassed that he'd noticed.
He nodded, and I got up. I wanted to make sure my own room was clean before I went to sleep later in the night, I wouldn't have time to clean it in the morning if I wanted to try on the dress my mother had apparently made. Once finished with the easy task, I headed back into the kitchen do which dinner had been served and both my parents were sat. In a silent and quick motion I sat myself, and began eating as they had.
The night went on as it usually did, dinner was finished, my parents went to spend together in their own room and I went to mine to study before heading to sleep.
Something tugged at me, a feeling or maybe an emotion. I didn't understand it, everything had been fine for so long and everything was fine right now. Hiraeth, it's my favorite word, a deep longing for something, nostalgia, often considered something you can't return to. Maybe that's what this feeling was, but to what? There was no longing in me, and if there was, what would it be to?