Activity

Okay, I finally got around to it! Here’s another part. After this the flashback will be over. 🙂

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Although Nayandi did her best to convince him to help her, Runaha adamantly refused to believe that Elves existed, or that there was much across the Sea. Eventually Nayandi was forced to give up.

For days she formulated her plan, mulling over her past, doubting the reality, yet determined to find the truth. Even though Runaha had turned his back on his father’s words, Nayandi still dared to believe that it might, just might, be possible that her mother was the High Elf Naldiel.

On a sunny morning, Nayandi was hard at work thinking about a way to make it across the ocean when she was swarmed by three questioning teens.

“Nayandi!” cried Rhea, who was seventeen. “Da told us. Is it true? Are you and Runaha half-Elves?”

“If you are,” put in fourteen year old Jade. “Then that means you can become an Elf. Are you?”

“Da also said you are going on a quest!” added fifteen year old Thomas. “Can I come?”

Nayandi looked silently at her siblings until they quieted. “First, yes, I am a half-Elf. Second, yes, I can choose to become an Elf if I wish, or to remain a mortal woman. Third, I want to go across the Great Sea and discover the truth about Elves. Do they exist? I don’t know.”

“That was all about you,” Rhea replied, tossing her nutmeg hair out of her eyes. “What about Runaha?”

“Oh, him.” Nayandi paused. “He has already chosen to become one of the Men. He won’t be coming with me.”

“Can I, then?” Thomas asked, his blue eyes sparkling. “I’ve always wanted to go on a quest.”

“When you’re older,” Nayandi replied firmly. “It’s far too dangerous for any of you. It’s too dangerous for me, to be honest, but I must go.”

“I’ll come with you, Nayandi,” Rhea said, grinning.

“Count me out!” Jade cried. “Quests are uncomfortable, miserable, and full of sadness. If you all want to go, fine with me!” She flounced off, shaking her head.

“Neither of you can go,” Nayandi repeated. “I can’t afford to lose you.”

“And we can’t afford to lose you without knowing what happened!” Rhea’s eyes flashed, and she put her hands on her hips. “If there are two of us, one of us stands a chance to escape, if something happens.”

“If there are three there’s even more of a chance!” added Thomas. “Please, Nayandi.”

The door slammed with a bang as Jade rushed back inside. “Everyone, come quick! Da can’t breathe!”

Everyone dashed outside, Nayandi in the lead. She skidded to a halt by where her father was lying on the ground, gasping and clutching his chest. “Da!” she cried. “Thomas, go get help. Now!”

She watched her brother whirl and charge away, then turned to her father. His blue eyes were watery and he grasped her hand tightly.

“Nayandi,” he gasped. “Lárawen. Daughter.” He coughed, gasping for air. “Go on your quest. Find the Elves.” Choking again, he managed to rasp out a few other words. “Land…way. Safer…longer…southwest.”

Jade stifled a horrified gasp as Charles’ breathing slowed and he closed his eyes.

Arianna fell ill with grief. (This is an inside joke, sry if it doesn’t make sense.) Runaha took care of Charles’ burial, and visited every day. Nayandi and Rhea did their best, but over a few months Arianna worsened. The most skilled physicians were brought in, but they said there was nothing they could do. Arianna didn’t even try to get better. “Just let me die,” she would moan over and over as Rhea bathed her feverish forehead. “Just let me see my husband again!”

As might be expected, Arianna went the way of all mortals four months after Charles. Runaha, who was living on his own, took everyone in, but soon after Nayandi was ready for her quest. Her heart hurt, but she knew that doing something would ease the ache. This was her topmost priority.

Southwest there was a land passage, her father had said. Or, she thought he had meant that. A land bridge across the ocean, most likely. She was willing to look for it.

Only a couple weeks after Arianna’s death, Nayandi readied herself for her journey. She was an excellent archer and could use a sword well. She strapped her scabbard to her back, with the hilt peeking out behind her left shoulder. Her quiver, well stocked with sure arrows, hung on her back over her other shoulder. Her bow she carried in her hand. She had flint, a map, and a few provisions, all in a satchel, but not much else.

She was checking her supplies in the predawn light when Rhea came out of the house. She was carrying her two daggers and a sturdy bow. “I’m coming with you.”

Nayandi didn’t try to persuade her to stay, but smiled on the inside. “It will be difficult,” she warned.

“I’m still coming,” Rhea replied stoutly. Suddenly her face broke into her typical grin. “I’ll help you remember your Elvish name. What is it?”

“Lárawen,” answered Nayandi, a ghost of a smile appearing on her lips.

Dawn broke, throwing the shadows of the two sisters, closer in bonds than in blood, far out in front of them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*cringes* Oof, yeah that’s really bad (and the worst death scene I’ve ever written. Come to think of it, it may be the only death scene I’ve ever written. Huh). All critique welcome!