Click, Zip, Whirr ...
The sound of an arrow sliced through the air as she triggered the crossbow. Her cool, blue eyes focused steadily on the target as the arrow made contact.
“Good work Laeleth!” a voice broke her concentration.
She turned around and was greeted by her twin brother’s smiling face.
“There is no need to patronize me, Laevon,” she replied in a teasing voice, “I know that was a terrible shot!”
“Believe me, I would tell you if you were terrible,” he said with a wink. “At least you hit it this time," he laughed as he pulled the arrow from the outer target ring.
“Oh hush!” she scolded as she playfully shoved his arm. “The sun was … in my eyes.”
“That is what they all say!” he chuckled as he dismissed her excuse with a toss of his head.
Laevon's bright green eyes glanced up at the setting, summer sun. The golden orb was descending below the horizon and casting its last warm rays across the land. It was getting rather late he thought.
He sighed and spoke reluctantly, “Laeleth ... you should probably be heading back now."
Laeleth's smile instantly vanished as she saw the fleeting look of sadness in her brother’s face. “You know I can come again tomorrow,” she replied earnestly.
“It is not the same anymore,” he muttered quietly almost as if to himself, but she had heard him - the restrained sorrow in his voice.
“It can never be the same, Brother, you know that,” she spoke gently, “after all that has happened …” Her voice drifted away as did her thoughts.
How quickly a year and a half had passed since that fateful day at Ezareth’s tomb!
Her hand unconsciously wandered towards her neck where she clasped a round gem that rested against her skin. It always felt so warm as though it burned with its own fire.
It rested directly near the small scar that had formed where she had once been cut. The wound had remained closed but stayed a dull, reminding red.
Laeleth stirred from her stupor and looked over at her twin. He was casually checking over the crossbow, playing with the locks and mechanisms.
“Laevon, I know you are not used to being alone or not being the only person in my life,” she began again in a sympathetic tone. “It has been difficult for me as well … even though I am happy.”
She looked earnestly at him as she ended, “I only want you to be happy too.”
“Your happiness is my happiness, Sister,” Laevon replied with no hesitation as he lowered the bow and looked her in the eyes. His expression was entirely sincere and loving.
Laeleth was amazed at how quickly he had matured even though he looked younger than he had a year ago.
His scruffy, overgrown beard was gone as he now kept his face clean shaven. Only a slight shadow remained about his lips and chin.
His vivid emerald eyes sparkled behind the dark strands of long, straight hair that fell over his sharp face. His tall, lean, and muscular frame had been strengthened by the year of living in the wild. He was beginning to look more like their father Garrett had when they last saw him.
Laeleth took her brother’s arm and gently squeezed it. “Promise me that you will take care of yourself.”
“Of course I will,’’ he reassured her with a small smile. “You need not ever worry about me.”
“But I cannot help it,” she replied as her lower lip formed into a pout. “You are alone with no one to look after you.”
Laevon chuckled at her expression and responded,“I am not that helpless, Sister. I did take care of you all of those years, remember?” He rubbed his neck with a feigned grimace.“Now that was painful!”
