Never Ever

6

A group of elves descended on them, carrying weapons of all kinds. Ever conjured a large shield and sword, and enhanced her physical strength

Axel was on his guard, he swung his large sword at the intruders

Ever charged at them. They were surprised at her physical strength, she had half of them on the ground within minutes

The remaining ones enhanced their physical strength too. She was having a harder time dealing with them, but Axel seemed fine, how strong is he?

When the leader of the group saw they were about to lose. He called on the wind. It was a much fiercer wind than she could ever muster herself, but Ever still tried

Her weaker wind helped her see, and deflect a blow aimed at Axel

Eventually the wind died and the elves disappeared

None was left to question

Axel and Ever ran to the tents to check on Maya and Romeo

The prince has woken up and was about to exit when she reached him: What's with all the ruckus?

Ever: We were attacked, your highness

He ran towards Maya's tent, frantic. He found her shaking, Axel rubbing her shoulders in comforting movements

His concern turned into annoyance, but he still managed to voice it

Romeo: Lady Maya, are you will?

She nodded: Yes.. I was just scared..

Axel stopped rubbing her shoulders but still sat there

He moved a bit further, and the prince took his place posessively

Romeo turned towards Ever: What happened? Were you able to apprehend any of the attackers? How many were they?

Ever: They ran away using wind. They were dark elves, most likely mercinaries. There were about eight of them

Romeo frowned: You weren't able to capture even one?

Ever hung her head and shook it

Axel: We were outnumbered, your highness, surely you don't expect us to win and take prisoners as well

Romeo: Not you maybe, you are a human, but a fae guard should've been able to, easily. Fae magic is stronger than elves', especially dark elves, nature doesn't help them much

Ever's eyes became red rimmed, she answered with her head low: A royal guard would have been able to, clearly you weren't informed about whom they were sending with you

Her voice became fainter, but still audible: And you don't remember at all..

She got up and left the tent

She was clearly on the verge of tears

Romeo sat there, frowning, trying to think, what don't I remember..

Axel tried to follow Ever, but she implored him to leave her alone: I need to be alone for a while, please..

He nodded, even though she had her back to him, but she heard his retreating steps

Ever cried, and rain started to fall, she sat there under the rain, feeling like the sky weapt with her, that thought made her smile

Near dawn, Romeo finally remembered where he'd seen her before

They gathered to have breakfast, when they were about to leave, he approached her

She still looked wet, soaked to the bone. Her eyes were still red rimmed, her cheeks red, the tip of her nose slightly so, even her lips looked darker

Axel thought she looked beautiful, in a heatbreaking way

Romeo: It was you, wasn't it? The one they called Never

She gave him a sad smile: Yes, and you scolded them for making fun of me

He lowered his eyes: I'm sorry I forgot. I didn't mean to

She shrugged: It's alright. That was the nicest thing anyone had ever done for me, but I was just a subject. It's not like I'm anybody of importance, and they stopped doing it in public, so it never reached you again

He looked pained: I'm really sorry.. I should have paid more attention

She shook her head

Maya and Axel looked so curious, Ever laughed, even though she still felt like crying

Ever: You can tell them, your hinghness, they would know soon enough anyway. I will get the horses ready

They both looked at him

He sighed: When I was younger. There was a little girl. She was a bitt different from the other fae. Her magic hadn't developed as expected, it should have been more, especially being nobelty. Nobels usually have stronger magic than other fae, with minor exceptions. Other Fae started making fun of her, calling her Never as in she's never going to develop that level of magic. I didn't pay much attention, didn't realize her name was Ever. I just didn't like the others making fun of someone, just because she was different. There was another thing about her, now that I remember, usually Fae have remarkable colorings, either hair, eyes or both and our wings would be colorful too. She had none of that. I should have remembered before.. Now you know. Please don't change the way you act towards her. It will crush her. I remember the little girl was a hard worker, any short comings she has are out of her power. I'm sure she hasn't changed in that regard, otherwise they wouldn't have given her this assignment

Maya nodded

Axel: I respect her more for that. She didn't give up

Romeo nodded: Maybe you should tell her that. I don't think she's heard many positive remarks before

Axel: Maybe I will

The men smiled at eachother