The Princess & The Lord

Part 19

Nyx dove deeper and deeper into Elena's mind. There were different ways the mind stored memories. For most, it was a single straight line of linear events. For others it was bits and pieces here and there. For some, it was a long hallway with each door accessing a different memory. Every mind he'd been into had their memories in chronological order. Except Elena's.

Elena's mind was an endless web of entangled memories. The memories at the surface seemed to be the happiest. She held those closest to herself.

He saw flashes of small joyous memories:

A flash of Elena riding atop of Abraxos with Manon as they moved through the clouds and weaved between the gaps of the mountain.

He caught the sight of Aelin, Dorian and Elena cozied up in a huge library sharing stories from their books and arguing about the plot.

There was a peek of a young teenage Elena picking up a sword as Aedion coached her from the side. Lorcan stood across from her with a devilish smile on his face.

There was a flash of Elena, Elide, and Lysandra throwing bits of food around the kitchen as they attempted the prepare a dinner for their family.

He caught a glimpse of Elena and her friends sledding down a snowy mountain. Elena made herself smaller on the shield she sat on as she raced Cal down the side of the mountain with Gavriel close behind them. She lunged from her shield and tackled Cal into the snow.

Nyx saw Elena, only a few years old, chasing a white-tailed hawk through the forest. Her small smile and laugh were infectious as she tried to keep up with the bird. She was tailed by a large white wolf making sure to provide a steady support when she stumbled.

There was even a memory of Nyx. The night they walked home from Rita's. Nyx's jacket was wrapped tightly around her shoulders as he held out a hand to help her up the step, a sparkle in her eye. He hovered there wanting to spend eternity in that moment. Engraining that smile into his memory. Memorizing the spark between their touch.

Nyx could feel Elena right along side him. He couldn't see her, but her could feel her presence- her awareness.

Nyx kept pushing deeper and deeper.

He began to see the unpleasant memories.

Arguments with her mother. The two identical in looks but also in stubbornness. "I wanted to protect you." Aelin said. "Protect me? You lied to me. You didn't trust me with the truth. You didn't trust me to make the right decisions," Elena said back, a single tear in her eye.

The memory of Bryn yelling at Elena after the battle at the Spring Court, "This is your fault. Ever since you arrived, things have turned to shit. Why don't you go back to your world and leave us to clean up your mess?" Every word cut into her core. Nyx grew angry listening to those words again. But he pushed on.

There were a few consistent memories visting different grave sites. One read "Sam Cortland Beloved." Another was engraved in flowers with the name "Lyria" written on it. A third read "Here lies Princess Nehemia Ytger who gave her life protecting her kingdom." She often visited a large field covered in flowers with Manon and Dorian. There was a glimpse of Elena holding Gavriel's hand as they stood in front of large tombstone that read "Gavriel: In Loving Memory- Friend, Warrior, Father." Aelin, Elide, Lysandra, and Aedion stood together, tears streaming down their cheeks. The three fae warriors knelt beside.

Nyx could feel the grief beginning to take over Elena so he continued pushing down and down. The well of memories became darker. He could see a small light ahead. It was buried deep within. He pushed towards it.

When he reached the memory, he saw Elena. She seemed happy, she seemed content. She was still so young. Barley able to walk as she held onto Rowan's finger as they took a few steps toward a crouched Aelin who awaited with her outstretched arms. Elena fell right into her embrace as she and Aelin both began giggling with joy. But then it all changed. The earth beneath their feet began to rumble. It shook violently and Rowan wrapped them in a tight shield of air. Elena began to cry. Aelin held her tight and rubbed her back. She whispered quietly, "it's okay, sweet girl. It's okay," The sky began to cover with storm clouds. The land covered in darkness. Elena cried louder and the rain began to pour. "What's happening?" Aelin asked as she looked at Elena. "I don't know," Rowan said. "I think it's her. It feels like it's coming from her," he said as he looked at his crying daughter. Aelin held out a finger with a tiny orange flame. Elena looked at the flame and immediately became mesmerized. Elena's crying stopped and the earth began to still and the clouds started to recede.