Once, in a place far away and right in front of some people, there lived a civilisation of the folk of old myths. They lived in harmony with the Lost People, who lost their way in the world we humans call home.
When a motherless girl befriends the...
Hey again! Before I start this chapter, I just wanted to wish you all a merry Christmas! While this universe doesn't have its version of the celebration, don't forget about the birth moons! A birth moon in this story is simply the full moon in January compared to our calendar. Thanks for trying to keep up with the story so far! From CadiKuch09
BELINDA'S POV
It had been 2 whole moons since Marcus went missing. 2 whole moons since the nightmares started since the ambushes began. But it had also been 2 moons since Aelfric and I began to grow closer.
THIRD PERSON POV
The birth moon celebration was a great celebration in every way possible. Humans would say these special parties rivalled those of the elvish court, however, it wouldn't be possible for us to know — there were very few humans who ever entered the castle from which elves ruled the kingdom. Of course, on this birth moon, Belinda and Aelfric were journeying with purpose. There was no time to return to her hometown, and Marcus couldn't attend the annual festivities either. Therefore, she expected nothing when the day rolled around to meet the travellers.
Belinda sat on the crest of a hill, a short while away from the camp she had set up with Aelfric. The setting sun heralded the dusky return of the night. It flooded the valley with gold as the light faded. The girl was captivated.
Aelfric gathered a wriggling parcel in his hands. He'd planned this for a while, but no amount of preparation could prepare him for this. He sat beside Belinda — she tensed in surprise when she saw him.
"Hey, Aelfric." She looked back towards the sunset.
"Hi. I... I wanted to give you something. It's the Birth Moon tonight if I remember correctly."
"It is." Belinda looked towards the elf, her eyebrow raised. "Good memory."
'Well, here goes nothing,' Aelfric thought as he passed the still-squirming parcel to her. She gently opened the cloth, squealing in excitement. She surprisedly looked at Aelfric before lifting a duck out of the cloth.
"How did you know that I liked ducks? Aww, she's so pretty!" Belinda's words shone with truth, as the duck truly was pretty. (The picture below is what the duck looks like. This is the link for copyright purposes: https://playgroundai.com/search?q=very+beautiful+duck+in+a+pond+with+water+lilies)
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"I'm naming her Duckins," Belinda giggled childishly. "I've always wanted to name a duck Duckins." She turned her grin to Aelfric, who was looking at her with a face of wonder. "Are you... alright?"
"Oh, ugh, I'm alright." Belinda laughed at Aelfric's flustered response. Aelfric soon joined in on the laughter.
Belinda put Duckins down on her lap, reaching to hug Aelfric. "Thanks. I didn't expect anything, though. That reminds me, when is your birthday? Or when do you celebrate?"
Aelfric groaned, looking at the sky as he thought. "I think," he lowered his head; "it might've been about, maybe a month or so ago." He looked at Belinda, who looked worried. "What's wrong?"
"I didn't get anything for you! Now I feel terrible." She looked at the diminishing sunset, deep in thought. "Oh! We could share Duckins?"
Aelfric chuckled. "It's fine. I don't need anything."
"No, I insist..."
"It's fine."
"I'm not going to take no for an answer."
"Ugh, fine."
Belinda smiled, quickly wrapping the cloth around Duckins again before she passed it to Aelfric. "Happy birthday, Aelfric!"
"Oh, it's a duck! I'm gonna name her Duckins!" Aelfric joked, forcing them both to laugh. He put an arm around Belinda, her head resting on his shoulder as they watched the sun sink below the horizon.
