Dearest Sara

Chapter 2

 Summer, year 1 of the Fifth Epoch

 "Where are we going."

 "Be patient!"

 "I am endlessly patient, Sara, I'd just like to think that you aren't leading me to my doom." 

 Sara dropped her boots to the sand and crossed her arms, "You're worse than Kal, honestly."

 "I'm wounded," Janner said, "How dare you. If this is how you treat me, then I may just turn around."

 The corners of Sara's lips quirked up. "Its just a little farther up the beach," She reassured him.

  I'd follow you anywhere, he thought. He didn't say it aloud. An odd part of him wishes he would.

 Janner caught up with Sara so they could walk abreast. The sea crashed up onto the shore loudly, and Janner could hear gulls calling from above them.

 "Doesn't it amaze you," Sara said, "That even if an island it burnt and ruined, the sea will always be a spectacle? I'd only seen the ocean once before all of... this, but even when I see it everyday, I am amazed."

 "Yeah, its pretty great."

 That was not the right thing to say.

 Sara gazed at him, Janner swore those beautiful eyes could fell an army. "Have you been sailing recently?" She asked.

 "No, everyone's really busy with rebuilding and everything. There aren't really boats to spare."

 "Oh, yeah."

  The pair had not walked for long, perhaps only for five minutes time, when they came to s glorious sight.

  A gigantic oak tree on the base of the cliff, burnt, yes, but somehow still growing little purple, pink, and white flowers, all cascading down. A family of gulls, clearly not accustomed to human life, for they did not copy away, sat in the branches and on the ground. Initials were carved into the wood, hundreds of them. Every letter of the alphabet was carved into this tree. Each had a different font. Some jagged and messy. Some beautiful and professional looking. All, though, were surrounded by a heart. 

 It was one of the most beautiful sights on the isle of Anniera, and Janner had not seen nearly all of them. Yet he knew. A place that knew so much destruction was teeming with life and love. Janner was in awe.

 "Isn't it marvelous?" Sara said, breaking the silence, "I was looking for sea shells on the beach, and because I was searching the beach, I came across this tree. Its something special, I think. I think that lovers might have come here. Look at all of the hearts."

 Janner nodded, and Sara beamed. "Just look at the wood! Doesn't it look as if the Maker wove it with gold?" Janner inspected the bark closer. It did look slightly golden, like someone had flicked sunlight all over the bark.

 Sara exclaimed again, "And the flowers! I've never seen any quite like them! Even in the book of flowers I got from the library, nothing like them!"

 "Its fantastic," Janner breathed. He wondered if every couple in Anniera had gone down to this very tree. He wondered who the first people to carve their initials into it ever were. 

 "I'm sorry if I bothered you," She said, and she sounded very sincere about it, she sunk into herself,  "I mean, taking you down here. I just... Flowers are one of my favorite things..."

 "No! Don't be sorry, really!" The words tumbled over each other out of Janner's mouth. Janner knew how much Sara loved flowers, whenever it was available, she took on beautification in rebuilding efforts. She worked in the gardens whenever she could, and she made sure there was a vase of beautifully arranged flowers in every newly-built room of the castle.

 He cleared his throat, "It really is marvelous. I wonder if it bears fruit?"

 Sara brightened again, "Oh yes, I was wondering that as well, do you think Nia or Artham would know? They've surely been here."

 Janner brushed his fingers along the carvings and nodded. They were piled atop one another, and most were not even legible anymore. He spied two little "A"s resting next to each other and smiled. "I'm sure they have," He said.

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Yooo that was a short chapter :) thats because I got bored, tee hee.