An End

Chapter 13: Songs and Talks

Elpida yawned as she opened her eyes. It was still dark and the stars smiled down on the group. She stood and stretched, walking to where Psilos sat against a tree.

She set a hand on his shoulder, making him jump. "Apologies my friend, but I figured it was the safest way to alert you that I was here. It's my turn for watch duty. "

The large boy nodded, eyes already heavy with sleep. He carefully stood and walked off to his sleeping mat set next Mikro, who was snoring so loud, the mountains had to be shaking.

Elpida chuckled and shook her head as she sat against the tree. Silence (besides Mikro and a few crickets singing their late night songs) washed over her.

It had been a few days since they left that village. Wanting to confuse anyone who may be following them, they never took a path, rather followed the sun as they traveled. A dangerous way to do so, but it worked well for the small pack.

Elpida sighed as she looked up into the sky. Her mind wandered as she looked for constellations. Her easy way of life had started to change so quickly. She almost wished she could go back to school, train better. Destiny, it seemed, had other ideas.

Destiny. What a strange word to her. It was hard for her to see her destiny when she didn't even know her past. All she knew was that she showed up on the doorstep of an orphanage, was raised there, although she was excluded from the other children, and was released as soon as she was accepted into school. Never told about her parents. She had asked so many questions about them, and received little in return. She couldn't blame anyone however. How could she? Not even they knew much about her. She was just an elfling trying to survive on her own. 

As her thoughts raced through her mind, her ears picked up the distant sound of thunder. It rippled through the sky, warning of the rain to come. She sighed as she realized they would most likely be traveling through the storm. It was these moments she absolutely wished she was back at school; under a roof, next to a warm, roaring fire, and a hot meal waiting to be gobbled up. 

She turned to watch the last embers of the fire Lovell started hours before. Although there was not flame, it still seemed to dance as a breeze started. She started to hum an old song. She had known it since childhood, although where she learned it she did not know. 

Her humming soon turned into low singing.

"Parakolouthist tis flaages panta lamperas

Chorevontas enatia sto nychtia 

Kathos kinaitai me omorfia kai chari

Fotenia os ta asteria sto diostima

Gia esena paidi mou

I floga tis agapis mou einai  panta agria."

She was interrupted by a quiet voice.

"I've never heard you sing that before."

She turned her head to see Mikro sitting up and looking at her, a small smile on his face. "What's it from?"

She sighed as she shrugged, moving so he could sit next to her. "My lost past I suppose."

Mikro grunted lightly as he sat. They were close to each other, although their shoulders never touched, as she was a few inches taller than him, even sitting. His smiled grew as he turned to her. "What is it about? I couldn't hear you over Psilos."

She giggled lightly as she raised her eyebrow. "Psilos? You're the loudest one here. I'm sure I felt the ground shake each time you snored."

He gasped as he looked playfully offended. "I beg you're pardon? I do no such thing!"

He glared up at her before they both burst into quiet laughter, remembering the warning Lovell gave them all that if he was woken from his beauty sleep, there would be many consequences for the guilty party.  

Their laughter soon died down as Mikro looked up into the sky with her. "What does that song mean?"

Elpida smiled softly, letting her eyes close to rest. "It talks about a love a mother has for her child. How it burns brighter and hotter than any flame. How it can never be forgotten or extinguished. It helped me sleep when I was in the orphanage."

Silence once again blanketed the two while she pulled her knees to her chest, leaning her cheek against one. "What were you're parents like Mikro? You never seem to talk about them? Were they bad?"

Mikro shook his head. "No, not 'tall. They're wonderful, me mathair and athair. Always looked out for me and kept me out of trouble. All while giving me love and support. I'll always remember me mam's face when I told her I got into school. No one, not any generation, had been accepted, so for it to happen to me was a wonderful surprise."

Elpida moved her chin onto her knees, looking out into the forest. "What is she like? You're mother?"

He chuckled and shook his head. "She is something else. She is harder than an iron hammer, yet softer than a kitten's fur. My daid always told me that it took him thirty years before she said yes to his hand in marriage. Thirty! When she finally accepted, he danced right in the middle of her home! But he also told me, that when I was born, she cried for several minutes, just holding my hand and rocking me. She never really punished me unless I did something absolutely stupid. She is absolutely something else."

Elpida smiled as sleep started to take her. Mikro noticed his friend nodding her head, eyes opening wide for a moment only to close once more. He let out a small chuckle and grabbed her by the arm to guide her back to her mat. Once she was comfortable, he went back to the tree, humming her song. 

  Kako sneered as he watched the dwarf talk to her. He always thought they were a disgusting race. So short. And loud. Once he has the power to control all, they will be the first to go. 

His eyes followed the pair as she laid down to sleep. She looked so vulnerable lying there, waiting for anyone to snatch her. Although he knew it would only end in a fight. The dwarf and the boy he could take, the man would take some time, but it would not be impossible. But the large one? Kako was smarter than to fight someone like that, even with his current power. No he will just have to watch.

And wait.