Magic and Mortality (DISCONTINUED)

Chap. 8 - Explanation

KEY = Subtitle/POV change | Author's note |"Speech" | 'Quote/Thoughts' | Text | Emphasis

THIRD PERSON POV

Belinda and Aelfric arrived back at the cottage. They'd decided it on the road; they would go and find Marcus. Preparations would start the following day, as it was already late afternoon. 

The table was vacant as they ate their dinner in front of the fireplace. It was much warmer, and it also seemed wrong to sit at the table without Marcus. Dinner was leftovers from a few nights ago. 

"Umm," Belinda began, "What were you doing on that road, before?" She kept her eyes on the dancing flames to hide the awkwardness she felt. 

"I found the ransom note and wanted to figure out what was going on. So I rode here, but it was empty. It was on the way back that I found you." Aelfric chuckled. "You should be more careful sometimes. I won't always be there to save you."

Belinda frowned. Of course, that made it the third time Aelfric had saved her within a moon's turn. Very embarrassing indeed. "I can protect myself pretty well," she countered.

"But you can't seem to stop hurting yourself." The two sat in silence for a while as they finished their food. Once Belinda saw that they had both finished, she started to stand.

"Let me take your bowl. I'll go wash them up and," she paused. "We should probably get to sleep soon if we are going to leave early."

"Of course." Aelfric stood to help her. They walked silently to the kitchen, Belinda washing the dishes while Aelfric put the leftovers away. 

BELINDA'S POV

I dried my hands on the skirt of my dress, turning to see Aelfric leaning next to one of the windows, watching the arrival of night. I joined him on the other side of the window. As the sun lowered towards the horizon, a tear fell silently down my cheek. I missed my father, my Pa. An arm pulled me closer to Aelfric, who hugged me comfortingly while the tears fled from my eyes. I was glad that I wasn't alone, that I had someone who would come with me to find Marcus. The sun grew closer and closer to the horizon until its shadow flooded the outside world. 

We eventually both went to bed, Aelfric using the spare room again and I in mine. I lay underneath the warm blanket, resting my neck from the discomfort of road travel. Sleep pulled me into a new world, one deep in my memories.

A little girl ran around a nicely kept grass area, chasing a boy around her age. The boy was easily an elf and was watched by a regal elvish woman with a small crown adorning her hair. The woman was sitting near a man in scruffier clothing, but still with the crown of fatherhood about him. They watched as each of their children played together, not wanting to address the dangers that awaited the man and his daughter.

Eventually, the woman spoke. "We must address the safety of little Bel, and you also. I will not watch as my son's closest friend and her father are murdered."

"I understand, milady. But how will they forget about each other? They are already so close, it would be hard to separate them." 

"The elves have an ancient magic that has aided us in times such as these. It will aid us in helping the children forget. Do you have a place to go?"

The man looked into the distance thoughtfully. "I have thought of a place, a town far away from here. It would be out of the way, and far enough that she wouldn't need to see any elves, let alone the prince."

"That seems alright. Just be careful, my friend." The woman nodded at the man as he stood to take the girl home.

"We will. I just hope I have enough strength to keep her away."