Moongrace

Part 50

"Then we'll leave you now, Eleeza."

Esalaa's sad words brought up the pain of telling her family good-bye once again. Finger gently caressed Eleeza's cheek and Ellob patted her shoulders – and then four pair of wings pushed the air down. The sound ascended and once again humidity rose. Ellob must have been using his magic again to hide them.

Nevertheless, Eleeza waved upwards: "Good-bye! Thank you for coming!"

Eleeza sound with her face towards the sky, until the sound of them faded and the wind carried their scent away. It was hard to let go, unsure if she would ever meet them again.

Suddenly Evan hugged her from behind to comfort her. She leaned onto him and closed her eyes. It did her good to be with him again. Someone she trusted fully and who always seemed to know how she felt.

They stayed like this for some moments until Eleeza sighed exhausted. She turned in Evan's arms to face him: "Oh Evan...", she whispered while hiding her face in his neck. He gently stroked her hair, but then couldn't suppress his curiousness any longer: "What's happened all those weeks? I was worried like anything! Did the Queen find you again? I was about to go back to find out. Why were you gone so suddenly?"

His voice was full of emotions, of worry, fear, anger and hurt. He squeezed her hard as if to assure him that Eleeza was truly back. Eleeza searched with one hand for his face to smoothen the spot between his eyes – a place, she remembered, he pulled always when he frowned.

"I will explain it to you. But in the short version for now, if that is alright. I will tell you every detail once I have rested properly. I am too tired now to do more than a summary." With her hand still on his face she felt him nodding.

"On the day you went to the market with the others, I went outside alone. Only for a small walk with Rola and my stick on our usual path in the forest. I know it wasn't smart and against the rules we set up, but I longed so much for it. I had been walking only for a short distance, when voices could be heard. Rola led me into a hiding place. The men approaching spoke my native language, which confused me very much. But I stayed in hiding until I eventually made some noise. They found me right away. And even though I was in my human disguise, they identified me as one of them. After I was forced to change they even recognized me from back before I was banned. They knew who I had been, which made me very, very curious. But instead of being friendly, they kidnapped me and forced me to use my magic for their purposes. At their hideout I got to know Cathryn, who had to serve them as their maid. We failed once to escape. But this time it worked involving a small fight, which is why we look like this and are so very worn out."

Several times Evan had tried to interrupt her, but she had out a finger over his mouth: "I know it's my fault. I should have never gone out on my own. Yet I need my freedom, Evan, and as much as I plan now to never go out alone again – I guess eventually the urge to do so will get overwhelming. I cannot stand that my blindness disables me so much, that I cannot do anything alone any more. I want to be independent! I love you Evan! And I never want to leave you. Never! I just need to do stuff on my own from time to time – even if it doesn't work out as planned."

Evan sighed heavily. He was relieved that she had never intended to leave him: "All this time I was hoping, that you hadn't left me. But why didn't you just tell me that you wanted to go to the forest for a walk? I would have stayed home and accompanied you."

"I know you would have. But I really wanted to do it myself – to prove myself that I am still able to do it. That I can go for a walk on my own."

"But was this not prove enough that it doesn't work out? How can you not promise me, that you won't do it again?", he was clearly wrought up. But Eleeza didn't know how to make him understand.

"Guys, stop!", Cathryn interrupted, giving Eleeza an excuse to not having to answer. "I know this can't be easy for both of you. Simply be happy that you are back together! And postpone that discussion when you can think clearly. Eleeza and I have been on the run for over two days and if we don't get going, I'll drop asleep right here."

"Oh Cathryn, I am so sorry we kept you waiting!", Eleeza answered and added in a low voice to Evan: "I totally understand your point and I take full blame for what has happened. But you know: I missed you crazily!"

Evan's warm lips pressed onto hers suddenly and his strong arms wrapped even tighter around her. She returned his embrace full of love and heard him whisper: "I missed you even more!"

As they let go of each other, Evan grasped her hand and announced: "Okay, so let's go then. Cathryn, may I take your bag?" He held out his other hand towards her.

"Oh, thank you!", she answered.

Eleeza listened to their movement as usually. When she thought they were done, she took a step forwards, assuming south would be the direction they had to go. She though bumped right into Cathryn. Evan pulled her back immediately, but Eleeza felt very embarrassed. Her pretty face flashed bright red as she muttered: "I'm sorry!"

Cathryn simply laughed, clapping on her shoulder: "I assume it's that path, Evan?"

They started walking, both leading Eleeza first, until Cathryn let go. Evan held Eleeza very close and gave her small kisses from time to time. Their walk seemed quite long, longer then Eleeza remembered. But maybe she felt this way only because she was so tired.

She sensed it immediately when they stepped out of the forest. The floor changed beneath her bare feet and the smell changed abruptly. Cold wind whipped around her face, playing with the loose strands of her hair. And bringing along with it not only raindrops, but the familiar smell of the farm.