Verange

Chapter 26

 

Elis gave him a slight smile and turned to exit the room. Andir beat her to it and stood in front of it, a smile on her face. “Leaving so soon? This is for you after all.”

Elis forced her smile to remain on her face. “I find it hard to celebrate without Belden with me. Had he still been here, I would be up until early in the morning, celebrating as I should. As it is, I have things to do tomorrow and Hayden isn’t used to staying up into al hours of the morning.”

She gave him a look and he yawned widely. Andir looked at him, then back at her. “Alright. But I expect to see you in two weeks at the Celebration. Preparations have already begun and your own should begin now. Introduce Hayden to what happens. You have all of tomorrow.”

Elis bowed slightly and motioned to Hayden. They walked out into the cool night together and she breathed deeply. The cool air felt wonderful against her exposed shoulders and her eyes drifted closed. The night had been tiring and she relished the night as she once did when she was younger.

“Hayden. You aren’t actually tired yet are you?  I had a plan to take you somewhere tonight.”

He glanced over at her and smiled. “I think I can handle a few more hours of your company.”

She flashed him a smile and set off into the forest. She glanced back occasionally to make sure he was still behind her. She was taking him to a place she and Keni often went together after spending hours with diplomats.  It wasn’t anyplace private that just they shared. Almost all the younger elves went there. 

She pushed up a large branch and motioned him past her. Once he went by she went forward after him and smiled at his face. His jaw had dropped yet again. She realized she was probably being to free with her emotions and showing him too much, but she didn’t care.  The Finfernel was making her make not so good decisions, but her mind was still her own and she couldn’t hold back her smile.

Before them was a large tree, perfect for climbing, and a stream below, perfect for jumping into. There was a plueberry bush nearby as well, but she ignored it. They wouldn’t get the best of her tonight. Across the stream there was a fallen tree that had been there as long as she could remember.

She walked towards it and jumped up, balancing as she walked across it to the other side. When she glanced back, Hayden was still standing there, looking around. “Come on. Sit with me.”

He turned to look at her and quickly joined her on the tree. They both sat down towards the center and she ran her hand along the old bark. A splinter found its way into her hand and she muttered  a curse.

Hayden made a move to take her hand, but she stopped him. Her own deft fingers removed the splinter and she turned to give Hayden a slight smile. “I can handle myself. Don’t worry.”

He returned her smile and yawned before lightly pushing her shoulder. She shook her head and pushed him back. “You are getting tired. Come on. Off to bed. We have a long day tomorrow.”

She got to her feet and carefully stepped around him. They walked in relative silence back to her tree home and he only spoke when they entered the inside. “Hey, Elis?” His voice was quiet and she turned to face him.

“Yes, Hayden?”

“Why do you and Tabaine hate each other?”

She frowned and motioned him over to the two chairs in front of the fireplace. Once he was seated, she spoke. “Ten years ago, Keni, Belden, and I were all here for a visit. During our stay, a child was born. It was an odd time, but that just made the child special. Anyway, as customary, most people go to greet the child during its first month of life. We were younger then and not nearly as careful as we should have been. “