Elderflower, The Last Halfbreed

Chapter 20 Torn

I sat shocked. Arthur was sitting behind the bars of the elven prison. His blond hair in disarray but he looked happy to see me. I wasn't. I specifically told him not to come. Now he had jeopardized the entire plan.

“Arthur, what are you doing here?”

“I came to see you. After all, we left with a kiss. I couldn't leave it at just that. Rose I came here to tell you something.” His hands grasped the iron bars as he looked at me. His blue eyes shimmered. He stopped. I knew what was coming. Something I didn't want to hear. “I...I...I love you Rose.” My heart stopped. I knew he wasn't lying.

“Arthur, you can't love me now. I've changed into someone different. Much different. Look, my eyes. I am now more elf then human. You can't love me.”

“But I do. Ever since I first laid eyes on you I've loved you every single day. I couldn't just let you leave Diathalon with no other words being said between us. I wanted to just say it once.” Tears dripped down my face. “I don't care how much you've changed. You are still the same Rose. The Rose I saw that helped a wounded bird. I've fallen in love with you. Nothing can change that. Nothing.” My mind raced in a blur. Nothing made sense.

I got up and left the cell block. I didn't want anyone to love me. I just wanted to be alone. Alone forever. I would only hurt more people. I would hurt Arthur and Alagos, if he ever loved me back. There was no chance I could love Arthur. In a fit of rage I stalked out of the prison and into the evening air.

Already it had turned. The sky was a bright orange, almost a red. With tears running down my face I ran. My salty tears blinded me as I kept on tripping. I ran and ran until I couldn't anymore. My breath was labored and I was still crying. I leaned my back against a tree trunk and tried to make the world disappear. I wanted to be alone. I wanted to be alone. My heart was torn.

I heard a voice in my head. A soft whisper. It said my name until it got louder in my head. I recognized the voice. Alagos. No. I didn't want to see him.

“Leave me alone!” I screamed into the darkening forest. His voice slipped away.

A few hours had passed. The moon cast a milky glow across the forest. I felt alone. I knew no one else cared about me or who I was. No one. I heard his voice again. This time I never yelled. I was too tired from crying. I felt him pick me up like a rag doll and carry me back. His fingers were light but comforting.

“Alagos, I-” I said.

“Shh, don't. There is no need.”

“Arthur?”

“He's fine. We released him once you left. We could always send him back?”

“No. Its fine.”

“I know how you feel. Alone. I've felt it many times. I know right now is not the time for me to explain my emotions. You still need time. I'll wait to tell you what has been on my mind.”

“I wish Arthur never came. I wish he never said those words. Now I'm confused.”

“So am I, Rose. So am I.”

“Tell me. Tell me what you don't want to say to me. I want to hear you say them. I know what you are going to say.”

“No, I can't. There is still time for me to say them.”

“No. Say them now. I want to hear them.” I jumped out of Alagos's embrace and looked him straight in the eyes. His head reached around towards my ear. He held my hand as he whispered those words I wanted to hear.

“I love you.” Those words sent chills down my spine. Never before had I ever loved those words until then. When Arthur said those words, I hated him. When Alagos said them I wanted to hear them again. I didn't want Arthur. I wanted Alagos to be there. Alagos wouldn't leave me.