The Jem

~13~

The next morning the castle was very crowded, fairies had come to honor their friend, Keelah, people were trying to interview the Queen but her Captain of the guard didn't allow them in.

Crimson wondered if Cassava was feeling any better now, but she doubted it after she'd seen how she cried over Keelah yesterday.

Everything was chaos and Crimson tried to avoid Deeja for a bit to let her calm down a little. But today Crimson went to see the Mage outside of the castle.

He took her to a tranquil lake a few miles away.
She grew plants and talked to Hunter as they walked there, it was quiet relaxing.

"Crimson, because you have the power of Earth you can use the other elements to your advantage too however, the actual owners of Fire, Water and Wind, will have a greater enhancement of those powers." The Mage said.

"Wait so your telling that there are also people with other prophecies written about them that have the other elements?" Her eyes were filled with hope that maybe-just maybe it wasn't only her who had the weight of the world on her shoulders.

"You are correct, and maybe they haven't been found yet or they're training in secret but in other realms there are 3 more people who have the elements." The Mage sat on the grass in front of the lake and crossed his legs placing his staff beside him. He gestured for Hunter and Crimson to join him they nodded and sat.

"Try making the grass and water dance together."

"I'll give it a try." She closed her eyes and moved her hands to face the water, she brought her left hand up and twirled her right index finger. As she opened her eyes she saw pieces of grass circle around a ribbon of floating water, she smiled and began moving them around.

"That's very good, now practice with other plants and also try talking to the trees more. Last time you found that quite difficult." He stood and began walking away.

"Where are you going?" Hunter finally spoke.

"I'm taking a relaxing walk, I'll be back in a bit." He carried on.

So she began practicing with Hunter and he helped her whenever she messed up. After a while she found some apples and they sat and ate them together. Crimson lay in the grass, the sun beaming at her brightly. "You did well." He mumbled.

"Thank you." She smiled at him, his silver hair glowed as he sat in front of the lake very stilly. She propped herself up onto her elbows, "What's wrong?" She asked squinting.

"As I stood beside the queen this morning at one of her meetings, I overheard of talks of war in the 7th realm."

"I don't understand."

"They've never liked how close the other realms are, so they're planning to start a war. Some people across the other six realms agree with their reasoning. This deadly alliance could kill thousands-no, millions of innocents. And they may be outnumbered, but with some of the most powerful warpers on their side, destruction is inevitable." He explained stiffly.

"Then maybe I will go find the other element holders and then they can fight with us." She turned her body to his side as she lay back onto the grass. He looked behind at her and laid on the grass too, facing her.

"I will find them with you." Hunters voice was now soft as he moved back a lock of hair off her forehead.

"No you can't, because your duty is here and you shall have to protect your Queen when the time comes." She swallowed.

"You can't go alone."

"Yes I can and now you and Deeja have taught me how to fight and protect myself and I'm getting really good with my magic, you should know." She laughed.

"But you've only just started learning you need someone who will protect you."

"And what if you died protecting me, I can never forgive myself if that were to happen." She stared into his face deeply this time, taking in all his little freckles that covered his tan nose.

"Then I would have died in honor." He nodded.

"I have to ask you one question before we part ways." She grabbed his hand.

"Were not parting ways, but you can ask anyway." She sat up, still holding his hand and his gaze.

"Do you have...um what are they called again? A girlfriend?" She said smiling awkwardly.

He sat up and looked into her eyes, then laughed, she rose a brow. "Let me just show you the answer." He leaned in slowly and kissed her, at first she was surprised but then she shut her eyes and savoured the moment his lips were warm against hers and he pulled her in closer.

After a while they pulled apart, "So that's a no?" She said dumbfounded by what had just happened.