Moongrace

Part 20

At last Eleeza turned to the night sky. But the moon seemed to be hidden behind a cloud for she couldn't feel its light which had been calling her all the while. Lay spread the second blanket over them and lay down close to her. Eleeza carefully put her arm around the child and petted it lightly. Lay seemed to like it for she snuggled up against her. Eleeza enjoyed holding the child in her arms but finally the moon rose. Despite the blindfold, it got measurably brighter around her when the moonlight touched her. She immediately felt its pleasant power and relaxed. Glistening, blazing silver filled her vision – it was gorgeous!

Suddenly Lay propped up and caught her breath: "There is light under you blindfold! Your eyes..." she seemed very frightened.

Eleeza sighed and caressed Lay hand soothingly. Then she put on finger to her mouth to signal Lay that the following was a secret and not to be told to anyone.
"A secret?" she wanted to know instantly. Eleeza nodded and then carefully removed her blindfold.

Again Lay got frightened and her heart beat faster: "Your eyes! How?... They are gleaming like the moon! And they have the same colour, they are all silver! Has that something to do with the curse?"

Eleeza continued to caress Lays hand and shrugged and nodded the same time.

"You don't know it yourself?" Eleeza nodded. "It looks beautiful... and yet very scary like a ghost with glowing eyes. You seem like a strange angle or a fairy." Eleeza giggled and shoved Lay a bit.

Both had to laugh and then lay back on the blanket again. Lay snugged up on her side again: "You are very beautiful, April! I wish I would be as pretty as you!" she whispered.

Eleeza shook her head and lifted on hand carefully towards Lays face. Lay didn't move so Eleeza assumed that it was okay. Warily she felt her way to Lays hair. It was soft and curly. From the hair, she tried to sense Lays full face touching her ears, cheeks, the sweet small nose, mouth, chin and forehead. Even more cautious she felt around Lays eyes, afraid to hurt her. Slowly the shape of Lays face took form in her mind. Curly hair to the shoulders, small nose and quite big eyes.

"Can you picture me now?" Lay asked intent. Eleeza shoved her hand to show that it worked only roughly. She heard and felt Lay nodding.

"I guess it's not easy being blind... But all of us will help you so that you will be able to do everything on your own again." The small girl promised. Eleeza smiled with all her heart and a few tears found its way into her eyes. This girl was so lovely!

She squeezed Lay a bit and then placed her hand on her eyes to tell her good night. Lay snuggled even closer on her and her breath got steady. Eleeza listened to the sleeping girl and the uncountable sounds of the night. She stocked up on the moonlight and took strength from it. Her wounds closed further. She realised that she hadn't thought anymore of the pain, well the evening had been exciting. But it was already better and in addition the herbs alleviated the pain.

It was good to be far away from the castle. Even though she could never hate and always saw at least something good within everything, the castle was her least favourite place. She didn't desire to meet the Queen or Nasca ever again, at all! It had been the best decision to run away, even when it took away her last chance of ever seeing again.

But then she was happy here. Here was so much of pure nature which she simply loved. This place with its honest and amiable people was much better than the crowded castle with its strangers and bad talk. And Evan was obviously relaxing which did good to their relationship. Eleeza could find beauty in everything around her. It was no perfect place indeed, but perfect for her. With all that beauty around her, Eleeza was fully in her element.

Eventually she must have fallen asleep. When the sun rose, she woke and as every morning got a bit sad when the world around her hid from her sight. Lay still slept tightly next to her. Something must have woken her up.

"April?" Somebody was calling her, far off. She immediately recognized it as Evans voice. Oh no, Evan must be wondering where she was. She didn't even leave him a message. Careful not to wake Lay she got to her feet. But then she sighed, she would never find the way back to the house herself. She could walk towards Evans voice though and the place where the wind broke, but last night they didn't walk strait. What if there were any trees or other things in between? She would need to wake Lay, but it was so early ...

Maybe she could call Evan. Nobody except for him could hear her and so she wouldn't wake anybody up. So Eleeza cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted as loudly as she could: "Evan! Evan, I am out here with Lay! Evan!"

He didn't seem to hear her first, but then the front door opened.

"April?" He called again.

"I am out here, Evan! Evan! I am here with Lay! Evan!" This time he seemed to have heard her, because his steps came towards her. But not on the direct way. It had been a good decision not to walk back to the house on her own.

On his last metres, she slowly stumbled towards him and greeted him cheerfully:
"Good morning, Evan! I am sorry, that I didn't tell you."

He simply hugged her: "You needed the moon, am I right?"

She nodded and snug closer to Evan lifting her face upwards. They kissed deeply while Evan held Eleeza gently. Only when the first shafts of sunlight touched them, they let go of each other.

"Evan, thank you for taking me here! It's a very happy place."

He simply squeezed her and laughed gently. They enjoyed being close and the feeling of ease and quiet.