"Wow... I didn't expect that to be so boring!"
"Ban's right. Although I heard the legends, it was still so surreal to see.."
Elizabeth nodded at Elaine, not saying anything herself as she braced for the next memory.
Sure enough the image once again changed and cleared to reveal a party inside the castle. Something elegant her mother threw together in celebration of the sword being pulled. She managed to get it together in a week after hearing the news from Chandler. However, even though she was informed of it being a young boy who pulled the sword, she didn't exactly throw a party fitting of one.
There were fancy tiny servings of every complex, odd tasting meal, as well as white decor everywhere and only adults invited! Although Meliodas was just excited about cake and disappointed there were no balloons, he didn't really care about the rest.
Watching the boy hum a little tune as he stepped out the back away from all the grownups crowding him, Elizabeth felt her heart pinch as she saw a much smaller version of herself out there as well; sniffling and crying softly.
This is it.... this is how we met.
"Hey! You're Princess Ellie aren't you? Why are you crying?"
"E-Ellie?"
"Oops! Sorry. Chandler always reminds me to call you Elizabeth. Hope you aren't mad."
"N-No it's okay. I like Ellie.."
"Oh okay! So princess Ellie, why're you crying out here? Is it because the food is bad? Because you can just throw it away when no one is looking!"
The little one shook her head and sniffled again softly.
"I miss daddy.."
The boy's eyes went from bright to sad again, just like they did before.
"You miss your daddy? What... happened to him?"
"Momma says he left, and he isn't coming back."
"Oh..."
The blond took a seat next to her and looked deep in thought before his eyes went to the stars and he smiled.
"You know, I never knew my daddy. But... I loved my momma very much. I still remember when she would sing to me when I couldn't sleep and give me the biggest hugs. When I'd ask where my daddy was, she always said somewhere far away. I think momma is there with him now. In that place far away. Maybe your daddy too! I think they're waaaay up there. Those bright lights in the sky? I think those are where they are, and the lights are the little windows they look at us through to make sure we're okay. I'm sure your daddy is sad he can't be with you here, but I bet he's even more sad to see you crying right now, don't you think? I think he'd want you to be happy and smile up at him. To show him you're okay, and to cheer him up when he's sad about you being so far away."
He kept looking at those stars, his sad look replaced by one of comfort, and by one of hope. A feeling spread to her as the little girl looked up at the sky through blurry tears.
Finding the brightest star in the sky she could, a few more tears fell before she smiled and whispered four words.
"I love you, daddy.."
Hearing them himself, the boy gave her a lopsided grin she'd see many more times in her life.
"I'm sure he's very happy to hear that!"
The girl smiling back as her tears finally came to a stop, Meliodas stood up and offered her his hand when doing so. Something she took as she steadied herself in her little, white, poofy, dress.
"I'm Meliodas by the way. I think the cake is about to get cut. Do you want to go eat some? I'm sure it's not as yucky as the food."
She smiled again and nodded as he took her hand and ran off back inside.
"Okay, this way!"
Once again, the memory stopped; and Elizabeth was very grateful for it as tears were in her eyes at thinking back on the emotional memory.
"I... knew that was how you didn't met him."
Ban spoke softly as Elizabeth sniffled slightly and wiped her eyes.
"Now I understand why you two were so close. I always knew he was wonderful at cheering people up but..."
The fairy trailed off, but Elizabeth understood what she meant even still.
'His outlook was still so special, he was still so special.'
And now that boy was gone.
There wasnt anything to add to that statement, it was just the truth. The boy who said those words was dead, and even worse? He wasn't even able to rest in peace after his sacrifice.
No, he had been turned into something horrific. Something twisted who hurt others and manipulated to get his way. He was something they would have to stop.
Reminding herself why they had to do this and why they had to keep going, Elizabeth took a deep breath before steeling herself for the next memory to come on.
There were several almost mini memories that came on. Almost as if when looking through them Gowther recognized much faster that there was no importance to them and kept them short. However they were still nice to see as some were even forgotten by the goddess involved in them.
A lot were of Meliodas and the girl playing, others filled with his teachings and lessons as he learned to be her protector and soldier, although the most dear to Elizabeth's heart were those when he'd comfort her over small, silly things she'd get upset over. He'd always know how to handle it, and made her smile at every attempt to cheer her up.
In the span of merely a few moments, at least twelve mini memories were gone through, leading to Elaine's- and subsequently- Harlequin's meeting of Meliodas, mini moments included then as well.
"I never knew how annoying as a child I was. My poor brother looks so worn out all the time in these!"
"But Meliodas seems to deal with it horribly!"
Ban piped up as Elaine nodded.
"Yes I suppose that's true. I remember looking at him as the really cool cousin who'd I would have fun with all the time. I'd get so excited when he'd babysit me. Although that was probably just to give King a break!"
A bittersweet look was on her graceful features as she watched each memory intently.
"He was ten here if I remember correctly?"
"Nope!"
"Than he's already not a whole lot younger than he is now. Only about eight years in the past. When did you meet him exactly Ban? Surely it's soon?"
"I didn't meet him at twelve."
"Oh wow, really? You've only known each other six years then! But you two were so close?"
"We just didn't click I guess. We're not similar at all."
"True, you two always seemed like two peas in a pod. Practically twins in your sense of humor!"
Elizabeth smiled in agreement at Elaine's comment. Neither of the two girls had been there for when Meliodas and Ban met and they had never really asked the story behind it, which meant a lot of this would be new for them.
After talking to one another for a moment more, the mini memories ended as all fell silent.
This looks like Meliodas's first mission? I remember being so upset with him leaving.. But, how could him and Ban meet someplace like here?
Hope you like it! I'd love to hear what your thoughts are on how he met Ban in the comments. (3
