Blue Eyes

24 years later

        I walk down the same street as my father once did. I stand tall returning from war. The day is dreary and a cool breeze floats throughout Runam. Crowds enclose us making no escape whatsoever. My bow and quiver are strapped proudly upon me. My light brown hair is up in a high ponytail. I wear a swamp green tunic and dirt drown leggings with a leather belt and boots. Suddenly I am tempted by some unknown force to search for Delim. I resist the temptation knowing it would seem unprofessional. Hold it together Famila. You will be reunited with him soon enough. Delim is the son of Sadim. He was a warrior in the past but has resigned after sustaining an injury to his leg.
            Soon a figure approaches me. A slight limp in his right leg giving him an specific gait. I relocate myself to the side of the street as ordered to do once found by loved ones. "Famila!" He gasps embracing me," I thought that my eyes would never meet yours again." He repeats that every time I return. "Stay calm Delim. I am fine as you can see. Although tiredness has fallen upon me ." I say. I glance at some of the faces falling as they realize their loved members are not going to be returning to them. It makes me remember when I was small. "Let's get you to your household then shall we?" He ponders unaware of what I had just witnessed. I slowly nod still trapped in thought unable to escape its clutches as he leads my down the side path.
He brings me to my house. A small stone path leading up to a old wooden door. He takes me in on the couch so I may rest. As usual he won't let my eyes fall until I have eaten a good meal. I hear lots and pans clinking as he prepares beef stew. The aroma makes my stomach growl as it wafts throughout the building. I slip off my bow and quiver and set it delicately on the small table in front of me. I rest my eyes and get lost in thought.
Ever since my dad perished Sadim took me as his own. His son, Delim, four years greater than my age, helped him as his own mother was gone. The war has put a heart ache to us all. He is like a brother to me. But, he also does not know my secret. Nobody does. My secret will stay secret until I leave this earth. I take out my rubber band in my hair and allow the light brown hair to cascade around my shoulders. Then I remove my leather boots marked with generations of tales. I stand them next to the sofa.
The room is a tan color with dark brown trim. The couch is a dark blue leather. There is a thick wooden coffee table in the middle of the room with two matching side tables on either side of the sofa. A window on the right wall let's light slip through the room. A small radio is placed on one end table. All over the walls are family pictures. Most of Sadim and Delim's family and I. I smile to myself and doze off to sleep in secrecy from Delim.
I awake later to a note and a bowl placed ever so carefully in front of me. I look over the note first. It reads, Dear Famila, I did not wish to disturb you so I left the stew here and let myself out. I cleaned all of your kitchen wear I used and tidied up a bit. The stew might be cooled. Visit you tomorrow. Best wishes, Delim. I grab the bowl suddenly feeling like I have a head cold. I eat the stew which is slightly warm. Then I set the bowl back down and look out side. The sky is gray and rain has started to fall. I decide that need fresh air so I grab my jacket and head outside. The air is chilly so I hug myself and keep walking. I walk down the sidewalk and into the woods as the sound of rain fills my ears. Rain hitting the metal roof of my house and the wagon out front and my driveway. Elf made. I want to go so that there is not elf made stuff at all around me. I put up my hood and enter my woods.
The rain pounds the ground while bouncing from leaf to leaf. I look up at the storm clouds. It's not going to stop soon. My headache worsens. I move my hand to my head then close my eyes. My mind starts racing. My eyes shoot open as I realize what is happening. The secret. I glance behind me to make sure I'm not being followed then dart to my safe spot.
My safe spot consists of three rocks flattened out in the middle just enough for me to squeeze in. A mirror is placed on one of the rock walls. Dead leaves scatter the ground and I step over them.
I squeeze in between the rocks just as my secret happens. Elves don't have powers. But I do. I close my eyes tight. Energy surfs through me making me shudder. I open my eyes and meet my gaze in the mirror. My eyes glow light blue. My fingers sting. I move my hands from my sides inward. Tree branches and roots come to me and surround me in a case. They scratch me as I make them tighter but I don't care. It's to protect others. I stay here with only a small hole for my head until my secret stops. I can control and activate my secret but because I contain it, it does it when I don't want it to.
Suddenly, something moves in the leaves. My heart jumps up into my throat. I tilt my head and let my self down. Slowly I move towards it. I cautiously take each step to where I saw the movement. Whoever has seen me will not be letting anyone else discover this. I move my index finger and a root moves up to the figure in the shadows. The thick root goes up to where the throat is. Who ever followed me is in for a lot of interrogation. My hair falls in front of me. I blow it back. Then in the faint light I see glistening blond hair. I drop my finger and gasp as the figure lets out a small sob. His face is drenched in rain and he falls to his knees. He drops his head and his arms are limp at his sides. His hair falls in front of him. His broad shoulders slouch. "Delim!" I gasp. "I kneel down next to him. Panic fills me. What was he thinking? No, what was I thinking? He keeps his head down. Not daring to make eye contact with me. I feel around to make sure I didn't cut him. His skin is soft to the touch. I didn't thankfully. I breathe out and break into a nervous sweat. "How much did you see?" I ask," and why did you follow me?"
He slowly lifts his head. And his eyes meet my gaze. A tear rolls down his cheek. Or maybe it's a rain drop. My brain is fogged at the moment so I can't tell. But, I've never seen Delim cry. So it's most likely rain. The rain gets harder. I choke on my words. There is a long pause.
"I'm so sorry," I say not knowing what else to. I bring him into an embrace. He wraps his arms around me but only for a second. Then he pulls away. "What are you?" He asks terrified. I look at him carefully. I sob loudly as I continue. "I know I should have told you about my secret but I was afraid. I didn't want you to get hurt or anyone to get hurt. I didn't mean to. I just. Ugh! It's just I didn't want anyone to find out and I'm not answering your question am I?" My mumbling was making me anxious and angry. He smiles a little but goes back to a frown. "I have powers Delim." I pause, "Strange powers." He stays focused and absorbs every word. " I can control all nature to my will." I say. He looks at me confused. I let out a sigh. "Watch," I say gently. I wait a second not daring to actually show somebody my secret. Then without realizing it, as if someone was lifting up my hand I put my hand flat, palm up. It shakes slightly from me being nervous. It feels like a weight is on it. As if it was dragging me down to the sunken wastelands of this earth and yelling, screaming, begging me to stop before I ruin everything. I know after this everything will change. Do I want that. My mind races and my heart pounds. I don't know if this is the right thing to do. My mind tells me to stop and not let him know but it's way too late. Suddenly, no rain hits us, as if a glass bubble appeared and is blocking out all of the rain. He stares at it for a while. He says no words as his mouth falls open. It takes a few minutes until we talk again. "Nobody followed you, right?" I ask him. He shakes his head. "Good," I say, "nobody else may find out about this." He nods. A dull throb starts in my head again. It increases and I close my hand and let the rain slip over my face again. I bring my hand up to my head. Fuzzy black dots appear on the sides of my vision. I slowly lay down on the ground facing upright. I let the rain soak my face to hide my tears. Delim shouldn't have to see me this way. Black now surrounds my vision and Delim's face comes into view. He grabs my hand and holds it tight. I want to yell out to him but I can't. I manage to focus on his smooth brown eyes for only a moment. But a moment is enough. Then the black swallows my vision.
I awake from blacking out hours later. I bounce slightly and let out a moan. I see the faint outline of Delim's face. The sky is a velvety black and stars light it up like candles. I feel Delim's arms and hands around my neck and legs. I smile weakly. He is carring me home. How long did he wait for me to awake? My house soon comes into view with faint candle light spreading outside of the windows. I move my head to see. " I'm taking you to bed," he says once feeling me move, "I don't care what you say but I'm sleeping on the sofa tonight to make sure you are alright." I knew whatever I said wouldn't make any difference so I just nod my head. I move my head so it is against his chest and I close my eyes. He carries me into my house and upstairs to my room. "Do you need help making your bed?" I ask. He shakes his head, "I'm fine."he replies. I smile. Then I head to the bathroom and change into pajamas. I walk into my room and Delim follows. I lay down and he covers me with the quilt. His hand brushes my hair away from my face. "Night little sister," he says. He kisses me on the forehead and leaves the room after blowing out the candle. I close my eyes and allow my mind to drift of to distant places.
I awake later with soft morning sunlight pours throughout my bedroom. I get up and hop in the tub full of cold pond water. After that I get dressed and head down stairs. Delim still sleeps so I'm very careful not to disturb him. His face is relaxed and calm. His blanket is ruffled and falling off of the couch. I glance at him a moment longer then head outside. The morning sunlight hits me in the face making me blind. I grab an old wooden bucket by my door and head out to the river a ways away. I walk on a skinny path in the forest until I reach the river. The water slips silently over the stones and plants.
I pinch my eyes tight and open them. Again they glow blue. I make sure my outfit doesn't change though. I move my hand motioning to the bucket gently. A small strand of water makes its way to the bucket and starts to fill it. As soon as the bucket is done filling I pinch my eyes closed and head back to my household. I quietly step inside. The door creeks shut. Delim still lays sound asleep. I carry the bucket into the kitchen and set it on the table. I go into the cupboard and grab a pot and set it on the stovetop which is a basic flat piece of metal with a space to light a fire underneath. I grab some extra kindling that is under the sink to the left. I carefully set them underneath and attempt to start a fire. The sound of the room is silent. I love it. It's so peaceful. Delim could have left me last night. He could have run away of fear. He didn't. The thought baffles me. Why didn't he leave? Next thing I know Delim is behind me and is pulling my arms down from the stove top. My heart speeds up as I wonder if he is going to turn me in. His hands are gentle but my mind races coming up with any theories, conclusions, or escape plans. As like any Eleven warrior would do in this situation. Suddenly his soft voice fills my ears. It makes me filled with joy. I decide to listen to whatever he is going to say. " Let me help," he whispers. I relax my once tense arms and back away a step. In his pajamas he begins to start the fire for me. He is so confusing. Anytime he can get he is helping me. He saw my secret and I almost killed him. My only question and concern is, why? Soon the fire is lit. The meal is brewing on the stove. Delim walks up the stairs changes and gathers his belongings before departing from my house. We say our farewells before I gather my meal from the stovetop and eat in silence. I ponder many things in this short amount of time.
My powers are getting out of control. I need to use them more often if I want to contain the random bursts.
Small snowflakes begin to gather outdoors. The sun hides behind the clouds afraid to show its light. Frost hugs the window and greens outside.
           I feel a danger coming through the dense air. I suck in finding it difficult to gather breath. This danger is not far from us. Maybe five to six days at least. I need to warn the town. But how? They will never believe an immature elf like me. Even if I'm from the Warriors. They will think I'm being delusional and strip me of my job. As if I need another disappointment thrown upon the rest in my life. I'll tell someone who trusts me. I have my friends Liera and Jorred. But there are two friends I'm closest with Zemra and Delim. They wil have to know, they'll believe me. Delim will have to. He already knows about my secret. Zemra doesn't. That's a strong danger in words that only two of us know. We can't let that slip or disaster may strike.
            I plan out everything I'm going to say very carefully and contact Zemra and Delim by letters.