A Heart Of Ashes - RHYSAND STORY

◘Enquë◘

The next day Y/N had awoken early and headed for the lake before the sun had even risen three inches over the horizon. She had meant to let Rhysand sleep, but he was already wide awake when she passed the cave on her way, his eyes following the cart she pulled behind her. After he'd inquired as to where she was off to, he had risen to his feet and followed after her. She didn't mind. He took his spot by the bank while she lowered her pack to the ground, picking up a long spear that leaned against the bolder nearest her. With a small amount of questioning from Rhysand, she explained to him that the best time to fish in these waters was early in the morn, before the morning sun had a chance to warm the waters up. The fish were slower and vaguely disoriented from the colder temperature, but even then they were a challenge to capture without a net, and hers had been torn. So, all she was left with was her wits and a needle-sharp spear.

Rhysand thought the sight before him rather humorous and kind of nice-looking. For a moment he wondered if she knew just how ridiculous she looked as she stalked the large fish. To him they were tiny, but compared to her one was about half her size. He'd nearly burst out laughing when one had evaded her strike and darted between her legs, nearly knocking her off her feet. It was unknown to him why she did not just hunt like she normally did, but he didn't comment on it. This was far too entertaining. At one point she had caught sight of his smirk, and she turned to him with a flat expression.

"Are you enjoying yourself?"

"Very much so."

"You're too big, and you're too close to the water. They can see you, and it's scaring them away."

He made a motion with his shoulders that was similar to a shrug, and she knew he wasn't going to budge. It looked like he smirked. "Move down the bank."

She made a sound of disgust and shooed her hands at him in a dismissive fashion. He merely continued to smirk.

"Tell me about yourself, lamb," he said suddenly.

Having halted in her efforts for a moment, she looked up at him with an analyzing gaze. "I am a Nebula-Elf from Mistspace."

"Elves do not commonly live solitary lives. Why do you live alone, may I ask?"

Her eyes remained locked with his, and he could see his question bothered her slightly. "I was banished."

His curiosity was sparked. Sitting up straighter, he tilted his head in an inquiring manner, brow arching. "Banished?"

"Yes."

It was clear by her tart expression and tone of voice that she was not particularly fond of speaking about this, but it was too late for that. She had ignited his interest, and now she was going to tell him about herself whether she wanted to or not.

"Tell me, what must an Elf do to be banished by her own kin?" He purred.

She kept his stare solemnly, noting his lack of restraint with vague annoyance. "I could tell you, but you would not believe me even if I did."

"Do try me."

She stared at him. "I was banished for attempting to save an egg."

His face showed a wonder. "An egg?"

"Yes. A dragon's egg."

A snort left him, taken aback. When he said nothing, she continued.

"I am older than I look. I was around when dragons still lived in numbers... when they were being hunted. One after one they fell, most of them young and relatively small... easier to pierce with weapons. Nests were destroyed." She licked her lips. "We found out a nest was not far from our forest. A group was to ban together and seek it out to destroy the un-hatched eggs. I did not want to take part in the murder of an innocent hatchling. It is not the Elven way to harm helpless creatures. I was one of the very few who did not wish to see the dragons perish. And so I did the only thing I could think of."