LOVE IN THE SHADOWS OF TIME l LINGORM

CHAPTER 3

The days that followed were a whirlwind of discovery for LingLing. Each sunrise pulled her deeper into Aveloria's culture—a world she had only glimpsed in books, now brought to life in vivid detail. Among all the customs and the strange charm of this 17th-century village, LingLing found particular joy in meeting with her friend by the lake, a woman affectionately known as "Orm."

Their encounters became cherished, grounding moments, especially during their secret meetings by the lake. It was a sanctuary away from the prying eyes of others, a place where laughter echoed freely, and shared silences felt like secrets. As sunlight danced on the lake's surface, LingLing often caught a glint in Orm's eyes that mirrored the warmth between them. Together, they would sit on the grassy banks, sometimes talking endlessly, other times just soaking in the beauty around them. LingLing was enchanted by Orm's grounded outlook—a clarity and calmness that felt rare and precious.

One afternoon, the sun peeked through the leaves, casting a dappled light over them as they lounged by the water's edge. Orm, with a smirk, began picking wildflowers nearby. Her fingers moved deftly as she wove them into a delicate crown.

"Hold still," Orm said, leaning closer as she set the crown on LingLing's head. "There. Now you're the Queen of the Lake."

LingLing laughed, the sound light and unexpected, bubbling up like ripples on the water. "I'm not sure a queen without a kingdom holds much sway around here," she replied, striking a mock-regal pose as if testing her newfound title.

Orm raised an eyebrow, giving a playful shrug. "A crown suits you, Ling. Power isn't in the title; it's in the way you carry yourself." She let the words hang in the air, her gaze tracing LingLing's profile as if seeing her anew.

LingLing felt her cheeks warm under Orm's steady gaze. "And what about you, wise Lady Orm?" she teased, a smile tugging at her lips. "What do you stand for?"

Orm's expression softened, a hint of mischief mingling with something deeper. "Oh, kindness... and maybe a bit of adventure," she replied, casting LingLing a sidelong look. "Perhaps even enough courage to stand by a queen if she ever needed it."

They shared a quiet laugh, both feeling the ease between them without fully understanding it. LingLing felt her heart flutter—a rare warmth that made her feel both bold and strangely cautious.

"Kindness, courage, and adventure..." LingLing echoed, adjusting the flower crown. "Not quite a kingdom, but it sounds like a good start."

Orm's smile softened as she lowered her gaze, a glimmer of vulnerability surfacing. "You know, Ling... you do belong here. You're different, yes, but maybe that's what makes you needed. Sometimes it takes an outsider to see things clearly."

LingLing felt her heart swell, a feeling she couldn't quite name. "Thank you, Orm," she murmured, barely above a whisper. "I'm not sure I've ever felt as welcome as I do here."

Their fingers brushed lightly as Orm reached to straighten a flower that had fallen from the crown, their laughter fading into a warm, comfortable silence. Both sensed the quiet intensity of the moment, but neither spoke of it—perhaps they didn't need to.

Beyond her moments with Orm, LingLing began finding her footing in the village, offering her help wherever she could. She took Orm's words to heart, feeling that perhaps she could indeed make a difference, even in small ways. She helped mend roofs, carry water, gather firewood, and even entertained children with stories from her own world, blending them with Aveloria's traditions.

One morning, she donned her usual men's attire—a loose shirt, semi-fitted trousers, and sturdy boots. As she emerged, LingLing could hear Aon and Pohn chuckled approvingly. "You look like a proper young man," they teased. "Besides, it suits you better than a dress."