You Were There | Søren x reader

Chapter 17: Ghosts and Favorites

           The sun was setting. Y/N finished reading and sighed, sitting back down on her rock, not really caring about her messed up hair and scratches. Poor Ez...

          "We'll write back when we get to the village." She said quietly, watching the sky as the stars faded into existance. The moon was already rising, a waxing gibbous coming close to being full.

          "I really hope he's okay over there, if anyone can stop the humans from marching on Xadia, it's Ez." Callum said solemnly. "The best thing we can do is try to encourage him over these letters, and do our part." 

          "Yes. We have about an hour walk and we're at the village. We can get supplies, and keep going." Rayla said, turning back toward some the group from her tall rock, which she had been using to look over the forest to get her bearings.

          For about 45 minutes it was very quiet, the pressure of the war weighing on them. Still, the mood slowly brightened as the light disappeared, and Y/N could visibly see a bounce developing in Rayla's step as she walked. Callum looked excited as well, walking a bit faster and a grin growing on his face.

          Glowing creatures and plants came alive, lighting the path to some extent. It was all so familiar...

          "Here we are!" Rayla announced, gesturing around them. Callum looked confused, but Y/N felt nauseous. Here we go. 

          "Hey- Rayla? Can I use your key?" She looked over at Y/N questioningly. 

          "I was planning on sharing with Callum, Uh, I've never brought in three people at once, but we could try." She's offered. Y/N thought about it for a moment, then shook her head.

          "On second thought, it's alright. I'll use mine." She decided. "Callum, you need a disguise." Callum frowned.

          "Why?"

          "Whaddia mean 'why'?" Rayla laughed. "They'll be happy to see Me, Y/N, and Zym, But our new human friend.... might not be so popular." Callum suddenly grinned.

          "I've already taken that into account. Look!" He quickly tied two branches to his head, and turned around dramatically. "Elf Callum!"

          "...what elf are you supposed to be?" Rayla asked.

          "I'm a tree elf!" He replied in a really bad accent, making Y/N visibly cringe. "All me best mates are trees!" He ran to the nearest tree and gave it a hug. Y/N clenched her jaw in concern. No one's gonna fall for this...

          "You mean an Earthblood elf?" She asked slowly. Callum pointed at her, grinning.

          "Exactly!"

          "What about your hands?" Y/N looked at his five fingers.

          "I don't think anyone stops to count fingers. Let's just go in." Rayla pulled Callum up onto the large log, guiding him through her dance as Callum awkwardly and stiffly copied her movements, Zym bouncing around them. Rayla was smiling more than she had in weeks. She looks so happy, with Callum, showing him her life.

          Then they disappeared, leaving Y/N in the quiet forest. It was so familiar, but Y/N didn't feel like she should be there anymore. Like she didn't belong there anymore. No, that's wrong. She'd never belonged here. 

          She slowly stepped up onto the log, taking her place to start her key, a few feet from where Rayla starts hers. She fell into the familiar rythem of her unique dance, spinning around on the tips of her boots, hands lifted to the sky and eyes closed.