The Remembered (Elements II)

Chapter 29

She let her mare take her back to her home, deep in thought. Once she’d tended to the horse, she went in search of her father, meaning to fulfil her promise.

“Father?”

He was in the library, picking out a book. She went to him.

“Father, I have a request.”

“What is it, my daughter?” He looked at her fondly, smiling, and she returned the smile. She didn’t know what she’d do without him.

“Father, the elemental you gave me,” she began.

“Yes, I remember. Is anything wrong?”

“No.” She shook her head. “Quite the contrary. He’s an asset. I was wondering if you’d free him.”

He looked at her in surprise. “Free him? Are you sure?”

She nodded. “Please, Father. I think he’s quite deserving of it after all these months.”

“I’ll have to think about it, Nahara,” he said to her. “But I don’t doubt you. We’ll see.”

She smiled, and hugged him swiftly. “Thank you, Father,” she said, and left the room. She knew he would do it.

The next day, she saddled her mare again, intending to visit a good friend of hers. She was consciously avoiding Dvalin, she knew, but she couldn’t bear to be near him. Not after the way he’d hurt her.

When her mare clattered into the courtyard of her friend’s house, he was there already, saddling his own horse. He was a handsome young man, his hair as dark as hers, but his eyes were a piercing blue, standing out against his dark tanned skin. They had been friends for years. When he saw her, he smiled in greeting.

“Lady Nahara,” he said, coming forward to help her off the mare. “It’s been a while. How have you been faring?”

She smiled in return. “Thank you. I am well, and so is Father. How have your family been faring?”

He nodded, still holding her hands. “Good, good.”

She raised an eyebrow at him, and he went red, realising. He dropped her hands, but she didn’t mind.

“Would you like to join me on a ride?” he offered.

She hesitated, and then nodded, accepting. It would be better to ask him her favour while they were out. “That would be nice, yes.”

She enjoyed the ride, but she knew that he sensed something. Finally, when they pulled up at a small stream, he dismounted, tethering his horse.

“Nahara, is everything alright? You seem preoccupied.”

She smiled at him. “I’m fine, Aiden,” she replied softly. “But I have a favour to ask of you.”

He was intrigued, and barely let her settle herself on a rock near the stream before he asked her what it was.

She hesitated, unsure how to explain it. Finally, she decided that the best way was to tell him everything – well, everything that she could.

“I’m in a dilemma, Aiden,” she explained. “I’ve fallen in love, but –” She didn’t get any further.

“In love?” He grabbed her hands, swinging her around. “That’s great, Nahara! I’m so happy for you.”
She couldn’t help smiling. His enthusiasm for everything had always been infectious.

“Aiden, Aiden,” she tried to get his attention as she similarly tried to extract her hands from his grip, laughing. “Aiden!”

He stopped, looking at her curiously. “You’re not happy about it, are you?” he asked softly. She shook her head.

“No. Well, I am!” she corrected, smiling a little. “But he’s gone away, travelling. That in itself wouldn’t be too bad, but…” She bit her lip.

He waited patiently, still holding her hands. “But?” he prompted.

She looked down, suddenly trembling a little. “I’m with child, Aiden,” she explained in a whisper. “But I’m not married.”

He seemed to understand completely. “Oh, Nahara. You poor girl.” He hugged her tightly. “Congratulations on the baby, first off, though. That’s great.” He sat back then, quiet for a while. “So…this favour…”

She nodded, nervous, her eyes on his. In another life, perhaps, if she hadn’t met Dvalin, she could have loved Aiden. She knew he loved her more than just a friend. “Aiden, I don’t want to be shamed,” she whispered.

He nodded. “How can I help you?”

Her shoulders dropped with relief. He understood. “I…it just needs to seem like I’m engaged, or married,” she said softly. “Would…is it…” She couldn’t finish, too shy to ask him. He grinned, apparently finding humour in the situation.

“Shy Nahara,” he teased. “Of course I’ll help you. You can count on me!” He stood up, comically making a pose. She laughed, and nudged him, making him overbalance and fall into the stream. He spluttered in shock, his hair falling into his eyes.

“Nahara!”

She laughed again. “I can’t thank you enough, Aiden,” she told him gratefully. “I don’t know how I can repay you.”

He came out of the stream, and she was thankful that it was a warm day, for he hugged her. “Don’t worry about it,” he replied. “It’s what friends are for. Do you know how long he will be?”

She shook her head. “All I know is that I will be showing at least by the time he returns.”

“So a few months, then.” He nodded. “We can do this. It’ll be fun. I get to take you places!”

She grinned, returning the hug. She rested her head on his shoulder for a moment, comfortable. “Thank you,” she whispered, heartfelt. She really didn’t know what she would have done if he’d refused her.

His arms tightened around her for a second, and then they drew apart. “So,” he said conversationally as they returned to their horses. “When do we tell your father?”

She felt herself go pale, and his laughter echoed around the forest trail.