“And who knows what adventures and laughter lie ahead? Our journey has only just begun.”
Hiroshi smiled and turned to Ella.
“What about you?” he asked, curiosity shining in his eyes. “What was your childhood like in Strayhaven?”
Ella’s gaze momentarily drifted, her thoughts whisked away to memories of her childhood in Strayhaven. She recalled the salty breeze caressing her cheeks as she ran along the sandy shore, her brother Thomas laughing beside her.
It was a place where laughter echoed through the narrow streets, and friendships were forged amidst the crashing waves.
With a wistful smile, Ella turned her attention back to the Elves before her. “In my village of Strayhaven,” she began, her voice laced with nostalgia, “the village nestled by the sparkling sea, where seagulls soared overhead, and the salty scent of the ocean wafted through the air.”
“Sounds wonderful,” Mizuki said, her eyes far away. “I’ve always wanted to see the ocean.”
Ella smiled. “The sea is everything you can imagine. Andmore. We spent our days exploring hidden coves and listening to tales of mythical sea creatures.”
Mizuki and Hiroshi leaned in, their eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Ryu listened intently; his stoic facade momentarily softened by the flicker of curiosity.
Ella continued with a bittersweet smile. “My brother, Thomas, was my closest companion. Together, we roamed the cliffs and dreamed of embarking on great adventures beyond our village’s reach.”
“And where is your brother now?” Hiroshi asked curiously.
Ella felt her smile dim, and as she spoke, she hugged herself. “He’s been missing ever since pirates from Osmaria attacked my village.” She glanced significantly at Ryu, who looked back at her with narrowed eyes. “Six years ago, on the day we met for the first time.”
Mizuki sucked in a shallow breath, and Hiroshi winced.
“Forgive me, Ella, I did not mean to bring up painful memories,” Hiroshi said, and Ella waved him away, unable to speak for the lump in her throat.
“I am sure your brother is doing fine, wherever he is,” Ryu said softly, so softly that Ella almost missed it.
“Yes,” Mizuki said, her eyes lighting up as she looked between Ryu and Ella. “And once Ryu is the new Twilight Prince, I’m sure he will help you look for your brother.”
“What happened to the pirates?” Hiroshi asked with a frown.
“Dead,” Ryu said shortly. “Erlan and I killed them all.” His eyes met Ella’s and she felt strangely comforted by the fire of righteous anger she saw in their depths on her behalf. “They will never harm anyone else.”
On impulse, she placed her hand on his, and he looked down for a moment in surprise, before grasping her fingers in his and squeezing, his grip warm and firm.
“Thank you,” she said softly. “I don’t know what it says about me, that I’m happy they’re dead, but…” she trailed off. “Iamhappy,” she said.
“You have nothing to apologize for,” Ryu said in a low voice, squeezing her hand again. “For all the pain they caused, those pirates deserved to meet their makers. I am only glad I was able deliver justice for you.”
Ella nodded, turning away to look over the placid waters of the lake beside them, watching as the breeze made the water ripple.
A calm, peaceful silence fell over the group, and Ella began to feel sleepy. Hiroshi had his eyes closed; his hands lay folded on his stomach. Mizuki lay next to him, her head on his shoulder.
As Ella felt her eyes slip shut too, her head landed on Ryu’s shoulder, and she felt his long fingers stroke through her hair, his movements slow and gentle.
“Sleep,” he whispered in her ear. “I shall watch over you.”
And in her dreams that night, she saw blue eyes and silver hair and felt gentle fingers stroking through her hair as a soft voice murmured Elvish in her ear.
~
A few days later, Ella was left all alone. Again.
Mizuki and Hiroshi were busy; as the children of prominent and influential members of the Twilight Court, they had tasks of their own, not to mention the times they accompanied Ryu on his business as the heir to the Twilight Prince.
