A Summer's Eve

three

"Clara!" She yelled and bound down the boarding plank. Clara's honey blonde hair blew in her face with the breeze. Alora's feet pounded the lush green ground underneath her as she pushed to go as fast as she could manage. Finally, she broke through the crowd unloading items in the port and saw Clara running just as fast towards her. As soon as she was within an arm's length, Alora embraced her. She felt soft and warm, unlike her form in the village. She smelled of vanilla and apples, comforting and clean. Alora couldn't contain her smile. They were here, and Clara seemed happy and healthy.

Little hands were everywhere in seconds, hugging and questioning. What a sight they must have been, for a crowd soon gathered welcoming Alora.

"Alora, you made it." Clara beamed, hugging her again. This time so hard she felt the air leave her lungs.

"I am so glad to be here." Alora sighed, pulling away and looking at Clara's full, vibrant face. "Where is Mom and Ziva?" Alora's heart felt like it was beating out of her chest. Her entire trip across the sea she had been preparing herself to search for them, convincing herself it may take days or weeks even.

"What seeing just me isn't enough?" Clara teased, grabbing Alora's hand as she led her over to the easel she was just teaching from. Alora laughed with her as they walked side by side to the he makeshift outdoor classroom. Camden stood there, kids jumping all over him, using him as a personal playground. Alora couldn't help but laugh as his hair fell over the tops of his eyes and two of the boys took their chances to get up onto his shoulders.

Grinning at Clara she said, "You know seeing you is enough," playfully hitting her shoulder, "Still doesn't mean I don't want to see mom and Ziva!" She smiled playfully as Clara laughed.

"So, are you going to tell me who your friend is?" Clara said, and while it may have been over two years since she had seen her, Alora knew she was making eyes at him. She had always been quite the flirt growing up, clearly that had not changed. They passed through the quad and up to Camden and the children.

"Camden, meet my oldest sister, Clara. Clara, this is Camden. He was the first mate on our voyage." Alora introduced them to each other, and she could have sworn Camden was making eyes at Clara too. His deep blue eyes could not seem to leave her, almost as if he were a sunflower tracking the sun across the sky.

"It is very nice to meet you, Clara." Camden said before taking her hand softly and laying a kiss on top. Clara couldn't help but laugh. Alora lost it too. Their laughs intertwined, drifting harmoniously through the air, carrying throughout the grassy area in the middle of the town. Memories from their childhood began resurfacing as the music of their laughs continued to carry, singing out to anyone who would hear.

The look on Camden's face as they continued to laugh was incredible, confusion and amusement mixed together.

"What is so funny?" he asked, still staring at them with that quizzical expression. His thick brows furrowed, only making them laugh harder.

"It's just," Clara began, "we're not exactly those kind of girls."

Alora chucked, nodding in agreement. "That is just not the type of girls we are." Clara, Ziva and Alora grew up together in a simple poor town on the outskirts of the main cities. Forests surrounded their village, and there wasn't much time for recreational activities. They still found their own ways to have fun.

Their father taught them how to hunt at a very young age. Memories they shared going out together in the early hours of the morning, the dew-soaked ground. The damp air had yet to move as the world sat still awaiting the daybreak. The three of them would hunker down on sturdy branches of the trees, arrows nocked, and bows drawn, in anticipation of the slightest rustle of leaves or snap of a twig. Alora would always get the first shot to claim breakfast, then They would wait for their lunch. The air was always rich with the scent of damp earth and woody decay. They would sometimes wait for hours, until the breakfast hours were nearly over, but they would never leave until Clara had taken down their dinner. That was their routine each morning. The memory always brought a smile to Alora's face.