Enaeya

19 - A Confession

As I closed the door behind me, the soft click echoed in the dim room, and I was immediately enveloped by the comforting warmth of the cozy room like a familiar cloak. The elven city of Liriendel was alive with the soft rustling of leaves outside, the faint glow of moonlight spilling through the open window, making the air feel ethereal.

The night air was cool outside, but inside, the flickering flame of the hearth bathed the room in a golden glow. The comforting scent of wood smoke and spiced herbs lingered in the air, an aroma that felt like home after our restless travels.

My gaze fell upon Kian, and my brows furrowed in concern to what I'm witnessing. Kian stood by his bed, casting an odd shadow across the plush carpet as he vigorously cleaned his sheets despite his recent circumstance. His hair, a wild sprout of deep crimson, danced around his serious face. And I could see the remnants of fatigue lingering in his blue eyes, their normally vibrant hue dulled by recent illness.

"Kian," I called gently, my heart aching at the sight of him moving about when he had only just recovered from fever. The determination in him was a palpable force, yet I felt it pushed to its limits. "Why are you moving around? You should be resting."

Kian looked up, his red hair catching the light, framing his face like a fiery halo. “Oh, Enaeya,” he greeted me as he wiped the sweat from his brow, a faint smile breaking the seriousness of his expression. "I’m fine, really. I didn’t want to trouble anyone by lying around doing nothing."

"Trouble?" I echoed and crossed the room, stepping closer to him. Gently, I placed a hand on his shoulder, hoping he could feel the sincerity behind my gesture. "You’re not troubling anyone, Kian.”

He halted his movements, his hands stilling, and turned his gaze to the floor. “But I am. I know I am. Mister Haldir... he’s been very generous to us. I just don’t want to owe him more than I already do.” His brow furrowed, a mixture of guilt and stubbornness etched across his features.

As I watched Kian wrestle with his conscience, I knew he was far too noble for his own good, often overburdened by a sense of obligation. "Kian," I replied softly, "Even Mister Haldir told me to let you rest for a few days. You are not troubling anyone just by recovering from an illness."

He shook his head stubbornly, that fire in his spirit refusing to flicker out. "I have put you and Mister Haldir through enough trouble already. You’ve done so much for us. I don’t want to owe any more."I could see the conflict warring within him, a battle between pride and the kind of kinship that had formed so quickly between us.

I felt a pang in my heart at his words. This young man, so protective and steadfast, was made stronger by his unwavering sense of duty. Feeling an urge to ground him, I reached up to his forehead, touching his skin gently, seeking to relay my concern through that simple act. Kian flinched at first, his body taut under my fingers, but then he relaxed into my touch as if seeking comfort.

“Kian, you still have a slight fever,” I said softly while pulling my hand back reluctantly. “You need to rest. Please.”

Kian shook his head defiantly. “I'm fine,” he insisted, although uncertainty tinged his voice.

At that moment, I made a decision. I sat down on the edge of Kian's bed, the fabric cool against my skin. "No," I insisted, my eyes searching his. "You need to sit and rest, if not for your own sake, then for Kira’s."

With a heavy sigh, Kian turned his gaze away, unwilling to meet my pleading eyes. I didn’t want to push him, but I grabbed his hand, holding it tight as I implored him once more. "Kian, for your own good, please rest. I care too much for you to watch you burn out."