The Elven Curse

Chapter 20

Mara knew what she did was the right thing.

She knew it would happen one day, she wouldn't always be in Aerin's life. She can't live forever and if the time has come for her, then so be it.

She dragged her feet as she walked through the antique room, which was actually just a large corridor of paintings and sculptures.

The place where elves had hidden their past. She heard things being broken outside the room, they were near.

As she walked with a paper in her hand she thought of what could've been a normal life, the only thing she'd ever wanted. Live with her parents and her brother, and even have a peaceful death beside whoever she was meant to love.

She stared at the statue of the Healer Ordella, who was clutching her shoulder over the gown she wore and slid the paper into her other hand, which was extended to the ceiling as if she was trying to reach for something.

After leaving it with a bit of unsureness, she continued walking slowly, taking her time, since there was no way the end would slow down on its path.

She sat on a nearby bench, facing one of the many giant windows that covered the left wall.

Sunlight filled the room and made the small specks of dust that floated throughout the room noticeable. She could hear footsteps outside of the room she was in, she sighed and placed her hands on the window's frame, she rested her head on them as she looked outside with teary eyes.

This is what I chose. I can't go back anymore.

She knew Rowan would take care of Aerin when she wasn't there, he was the second beast-man she'd met, but the first one she trusted.

She heard a door being opened and she closed her eyes as if that would avoid what she was probably going to experience.

Something cracked loudly and she flinched, she tried to wander her thoughts to the warm feeling of sunlight on her face.

She let the sudden peacefulness envelope her mind.

***

"Stop it! We need to help her!", Aerin screamed as he tried to scratch Rowan's back as he carried him over his shoulder.

"Aerin please", Rowan said, "It'll only hurt you".

"How?!".

Aerin glared at him and swung his leg, decided to kick him right between his legs.

Rowan twisted Aerin so his knee would only hit the side of his waist.

"Aerin stop! You think I didn't try anything?", Rowan shook his head, "she said there wasn't any reason for her to be here anymore".

Aerin bit his lip and brought his hands to his face, which were trembling as if he was cold.

"Liar!", he screamed and dug his nails into his skin, blood slowly rose to the surface and trickled down his cheeks.

Rowan was quick to pull at his arms to keep him from continuing harming himself.

Rowan held them tightly put also as gentle as he could, noticing how easily he could snap the elf's wrist.

Rowan looked down as he kept walking towards the camp to finally pack and leave, he stared at the small pieces of grass beneath his feet, he felt shivers travel down his spine as the plants leaned towards them.

Aerin's side was resting against Rowan's chest as his wrists were still being held.

He wanted to fight, he really wanted to, but a sudden wave of exhaustion overtook that will. He hadn't felt like himself since he woke up, there was something wrong, he felt as if something had changed within him.

He needed Mara, but she wasn't there.

Then he screamed, as if everything that he felt was coming out from his mouth. Rowan could feel the pain in his voice, he felt tears reach his eyes, as if Aerin was sharing his pain with him.

He kept looking ahead, afraid that if he looked at Aerin he would break.

A few minutes later silence returned and Aerin was asleep, he could have fainted for all that Rowan knew, but as much as it worried him, he knew Aerin needed to rest.

He noticed Omar walking in front of them, frowning while he carried a large bag, which belonged to Aerin.

He knew Omar had been deeply disturbed by all the scenes he'd witnessed in the castle, terrible crimes. He'd been the one expecting so much, hoping for so much, and in the end, he'd been given nothing.

"Would you like to stay here while we pack everything up?", Rowan asked him.

Omar looked at him, surprised Rowan had catched up to him so quickly.

"No, I want to leave as soon as possible".

They went quiet after that, the only sound they could hear was the sound of leaves crunching as they walked on them.

***

As the sun set with bright orange tones, Aerin remained with his eyes closed, feeling the heat on his face and the small flashes of sunlight over his eyelids.

People worked nearby, packing everything up as he pretended to sleep. Not because he didn't want to help, but because he was tired, of everything.

If he had once yearned for at least a bit of freedom, to go outside of the walls, he now wanted to stay there, even for the rest of his life if it meant Mara would live.

"I know you're awake", someone said closely, their breath hit his ear

He opened his eyes and saw that woman, Vienna?

He didn't say anything, there was no reason to do so.

"You know, I thought you wrong", she said, smiling," if I'd known you could kill someone I wouldn't have bothered you".

She crouched.

"What are you talking about?", he asked her and scrunched his eyebrows.

"That girl, Mary was it?".

"Mara", Aerin gritted.

"Yes, yes, her", Vienna brushed it off,"How could you kill someone so heartlessly?", she spat the question.

Aerin's eyes widened.

"What?", he breathed, "I didn't kill her", his chest started to heart as he was reminded of Mara.

"You did", Vienna stated, "you left her, alone to die, and all because of your stupid decisions", she stopped crouching and stood up, staring at him from above.

Her face was darkened by the shadows as the last bits of sunlight hit her back.

Aerin lowered his gaze.

I'm sorry.