“Yes,” Lana said, smiling. “I would love that.”
Ilann nodded at her and picked up his pace so he could catch up with Nym.
Lana continued walking on her own, her companions ahead of her and the followers behind. This land was so peaceful compared to the human realm. Even during the spring when Loral was full of blossoming flowers and lush greenery, it couldn’t evoke the happiness she felt walking through Eva. Perhaps it was the spirit of the earth which was so much in harmony compared to the lands she came from. Eva already felt more like home to her.
That evening they all camped under the stars. The air was thick and tasted as sweet as any fruit and the stars shone like jewels in the sky. The followers had gathered fallen branches and dead brush so they could start a bonfire in the road so as not to destroy any of the lush green grass. They linked arms and sang, rejoicing in each other and the land. Lana was so taken with the sight, she almost didn’t hear Nym approach her.
“I thought you might be hungry,” she said, passing Lana a bowl with sliced fruit and dry bread.
“Thank you,” Lana told her warmly, accepting the food and taking a bite of a peach slice, savoring its perfectly ripe sweetness.
“They seem so happy,” she said, gesturing at the elves singing around the fire.
Nym watched the singing elves for a time. “Yes, they are happy I think. It has been a long time since anything like this illness has happened to our people. It isn’t easy for us to know that the safeguards which kept us strong and healthy may be failing. It’s especially difficult because children are dying. You give them hope and they rejoice.”
Lana nodded, frowning in thought. “I wonder why I can do this.”
“What do you mean?” Nym asked her.
“I mean,” she responded slowly, trying to gather her thoughts. “Why me? Why not an elf? I’m only a halfling. One would think that a true elf would have this ability, not someone who is only half elven.”
“There is no way to know,” Nym said, smiling at her friend. “Perhaps it’s because you are half human and not because you are half elf. It could be that the combination of human and elf gives you a different sort of way to communicate with the land. The elders may have the answers you seek. Sleep well, my friend. Thelsamel is near.”
With that, Nym strolled back to where Ilann had spread out their bedding and joined him. He put his arm around her, smiling fondly down at his companion.
Lana watched them together. They had become close rather quickly but perhaps that wasn’t such an odd thing. She had no experience in love aside from her relationship with Clay which was certainly far from what anyone would call normal circumstances. Ilann had proven himself to be a kind and courteous man so Lana approved.
She turned her attention back to the singing elves. Nym had called them ‘our people,’ but were they? The elves had accepted Lana as one of them with no issue so far despite her halfling status. It probably didn’t hurt that she seemed to be the only creature able to heal the mysterious illness that was killing the children. Our people, Lana mused. My people. Yes, perhaps it was true. Lana couldn’t go back to the human realm, especially not now that she was needed so badly here in Eva. She might as well forget about the human half of herself and embrace the elves fully. She was one of them now and there was no turning back.
Home
There was a knock at Clay’s door. This was a new development. He had been in solitude for quite a while now and no one yet had come to visit aside from the elves who brought him food, clean clothing or clean bedding, and none of them bothered with knocking.
Clay rose from his bed. “Enter,” he called, curious but alert.
The door opened and an old elf let himself in, giving Clay a warm smile. He had long, silver hair and a strong jaw, an oddity among elves who typically had very narrow faces.
“Hello, young man,” he said, bowing his head only very slightly in greeting. “I’m Elder Braithe. Would you talk to me for a time?”
Clay looked at the man suspiciously, then nodded to the table and chairs across the room. He made his way over and sat silently, staring at the man as he settled himself into the chair across from him. There was a period of silence as Clay waited for the man to speak his mind.
“Clay,” Braithe said, leaning forward and folding his arms on the table. “The elders have been discussing your situation. Some of them are ready to throw you in prison and let you rot. Some others, like myself, wish to learn more about what caused you to give your mission to another elf, ignoring our command to keep it secret, before we hand down a sentence.”
Clay narrowed his eyes and folded his arms across his chest and leaned back in his chair.
“Will you tell me what you intend to do with Lana?” he asked the elder. Lana’s fate was his main concern, not his imprisonment. He’d deal with that later.
Braithe sighed heavily and looked at Clay sadly. “Young man, that is not your business. You were sent to take the princess and bring her back, speaking to no one of what you were sent to do. You have done neither of those things. You must explain yourself.”
Clay stood up and walked a few steps away, examining the wall. If he had to look at Braithe any longer he was afraid he might punch him. This was infuriating. He sighed, realizing that he might as well give the
