Chapter Seven: Don’t leave me

As I leave the Medical bay, I can’t help but feel awful. Elijah admitted his feelings to me earlier today and now he is about to find out I am leaving. I know he will try to convince me to stay longer but I hope he understands I won’t be able to. I must find out why I am still here, what my purpose is after the deaths of my family. I know it’s out there, I just need to keep searching.

Just as I exit the medical bay through the doors, I see Elijah walking with Halley, one of the other rangers. Good, he must have finished his short shift. I see him see Halley off and he starts walking towards his cottage. Just as I go to shout for him, I see Elder Liandor come around the corner and he and Elijah exchange pleasantries. I can then see the Elder say something I can’t make out. Elijah then looks to sigh, gives his goodbyes and then walks around the Elder, and goes into his cottage. I can’t be too late, can I?

I head towards the cottage and knock on the door. “Elijah, it’s me. Can you open the door please? Orla has just let me out.” I wait a few moments, nothing. I knock on the door a bit louder and after the forth knock Elijah opens the door harshly to a dishevelled Elijah with a depressed look upon him.

“Why didn’t you tell me Aliana?” He says in an upset tone, which surprises me. “Tell you what? I’ve only just left the medical bay to come here to speak to you.” I look at him who looks to be at a loss of words and I can see that he’s just about on the verge of tears. What has been said to him?

I push past him and pull his hands leading into his home, closing the door behind me. Elijah is silent as I go to his log fire and start it up as his cottage was a little cold, I can see he’s maybe not been here for a few days. I wonder if he’s been with me in the medical bay all this time.

Once the fire starts up, I point to the sofa for him to sit down. “Sit, we need to talk.” I say simply.

Elijah sits on the chair and I sit next to him. He looks at me and I understand why he’s not said a word yet, he’s too upset. I guessed that one of the Elders had told him about my decision. Wow, news travels fast.

“Can you elaborate on what I’ve not told you first so we can have an actual discussion?” I say, trying to indicate I want him to see to reason.

“Elder Liandor just told me that you’re leaving. Sooner rather than later apparently.” He looked away as he said the last bit. I could see he was very upset about this and I understood where he comes from. We’ve found a bond and have been spending a lot of time together. This is the first place I have found refuge with others after being on my own for years and have grown fairly comfortable. He’s found his fun side with me bring here and has been able to be carefree around me whereas he is uncomfortable around everyone else to show his true side.

But one thing I have said the whole time whilst being here is that it won’t last forever.

I take a long sigh. “I’m sorry you had to hear it from one of the Elders Elijah. I had only spoken to Elder Forlum a short while ago. I guess he spoke to the other Elders right after and then Elder Liandor came and spoke with you straight away.” I state sadly. I had hoped to speak with him before news reached him.

I take his hand into my own. “You know I was always going to leave. The…“ Elijah cut me off and pulls his hand away which startled me. “Aliana, why have you chosen to leave so soon though? The borders won’t close for weeks! I don’t understand….I don’t..” He sighed heavily. “I haven’t had a chance to convince you to stay.” He says, hurtfully.

I look my friend in the eyes and can see he’s not managed to stop a tear from rolling. I’ve never seen Elijah so upset about anything. My resolve starts to crumble, but I know in my heart I have to leave.

“I’m sorry. We both knew it was going to happen sooner or later. I have taken the decision to leave tomorrow at dawn to start my journey searching for the reason why I am still living.” I say, hoping this helps Elijah to understand.

“Tomorrow!?” Elijah shouts, seemingly disregarding my reason, which has made me flinch. I can see more tears stream down his face. Obviously he was unaware that I was leaving this early. I sit there, unsure what to say. I’ve never heard him raise his voice before as he’s always had such a calm demeanour and to see him like this breaks my heart in two.

“Elijah I…” He stops me with his hand. He then wipes the tears that have fallen on his face. He looks defeated. “I thought I had more time to convince you to stay, but it seems I do not. I meant what I said earlier, I will always love you. I wish I could but I cannot travel with you though, this is my home and I am required to defend it, if we do have trouble. Which is what our Elders fear…” I nod my head, knowing this would be his stance. I would never ask him to come with me on such a dangerous venture, especially after the Elders warns of near future trouble on the way.

“I know, and you must know I would never ask you to go with me. The community needs you here and I respect that. My destiny is my own.” I say confidently. I look into the fire which is now burning brightly, warming the room. I see at the corner of my eye Elijah move closer to me. He then surprises me by taking me into a deep hug which I reciprocate.

We sit like this for what seemed like hours just enjoying each other’s company before my departure tomorrow.

“I will miss you little duck, more than you know……Will you return?” He asks, full of hope.

“You and I both know I cannot promise that. But I do wish our paths will cross again. You know why I have to leave and I hope you understand.”

“Yes, of course I do, I just wish it wasn’t tomorrow. I will pray to the Goddess and God that you will return here, even if it is in many years to come.” He says as he squeezes me tighter, making us both chuckle.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. We both stood up and looked towards it and had noticed that the Sun had started to fall. Elijah went towards the door and opened it to see all four Elders at the door.

“We’ve come to speak with Aliana, as it is our understanding that she’s leaving soon.” Elder Forlum declares, so I responded.

“Yes Elders, I have decided to leave tomorrow at dawn.”

Elder Liandor looks at Elijah quickly then back at me. “So be it. We wish to pass some knowledge before you set out. Are you free now?” He asks, taking an awkward glance between Elijah and me.

Before I manage to response, Elijah motions for them all to come in and take a seat. He then goes around to close the door behind them. All Elders make themselves comfortable in the room, with Elder Forlum and Liandor seated, and Dioder and Horenti standing close to the fire.

“I assume you’re ok with Elijah hearing about your departure and items we wish to cover with yourself here before tomorrow?” Elder Dioder asks, looking between the two of us.

“Yes, I am happy for Elijah to partake in these discussions Elder. He knows I will be leaving on the morrow and is more than welcome to stay if he wishes, also…because we’re in his home” I say, looking at Elijah with a smile on my lips.

He shrugs and laughs “Yes, if Aliana doesn’t mind, I’d like to stay.”

All for Elders nod to acknowledge this. Elder Forlum then clears his throat and looks at me directly. “Aliana, as you leave tomorrow we must go over a few items, the first being, once you leave, you will not be able to come back.” The Elder looks at Elijah but does not continue his comment. “This is not common knowledge Elijah, so please do not alert the community about us closing the borders. It will be a gradual process, but none the less, it will start tomorrow.”

Elijah was about to say something in protest I assume, knowing him, when the Elder raised his hand “We will discuss it another time, for now, we must concentrate on why we’ve all come here.” He says. I look at Elijah, slightly puzzled, but see that he resists the urge to interrupt.

The Elder continues, “The main point we’ve to cover is where you’re going. We cannot tell you where you can and cannot go, but we have one warning. Never step foot into the dark forest which is what you will find if you head towards the West side of our elven community.”

*------------------------------------------------------------

A/n

Hi everyone!

I hope you're all enjoying reading The Waterborn Luna!

There's a long road ahead of Aliana. Only she can choose, will she heed the Elders warning?

I have created a Fb page, which you can find by searching for "AuthorG.Santos"

Happy reading!*